Wintering habitats of Eleonora's Falcons Falco eleonorae in Madagascar

Abstract

Capsule Eleonora's Falcons wintering in Madagascar selected degraded humid forests and cultivated areas close to pristine humid forest. Aims To identify the habitat preferences of Eleonora's Falcon Falco eleonorae on their wintering grounds in Madagascar, and to use this information to gain insights into the conservation priorities of this species. Methods A total of 11 Eleonora's Falcons were captured in Spain in 2007 and 2008 and equipped with solar-powered satellite transmitters. We obtained information on five complete wintering events for three birds, two of them tracked for two consecutive years. Data were analyzed using geographic information system-based cartography. Results The analyses showed a preference for degraded humid forests and cultivated lands within areas where pristine humid forests were the most abundant habitat type. Conclusions Eleonora's Falcons could be taking advantage from a spill-over edge effect of their insect prey into cultivated and more open areas close to humid forests. However, the importance of humid forests for Eleonora's Falcons seems to be high. The current loss of this habitat in Madagascar is a cause for concern with respect to the conservation of this long-distance migratory falcon species. © 2012 Copyright British Trust for Ornithology.