Nest defence of urban and rural Common Kestrels Falco tinnunculus against different predators

Abstract

ABSTRACT Common Kestrels Falco tinnunculus breeding in a rural environment reacted more aggressively to dummies of potential predators than did those breeding in an urban environment. During the nestling phase, the Kestrels reacted more frequently than during the incubation phase and males reacted more often than females. The reactions to dummies partially reflected the distribution of predators in the urban and rural areas.