The impact of predation by birds on bat populations in the British Isles ...

• Main Author: Speakman, J. R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Zenodo 1991
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Mammalia; Chiroptera; Chordata; Animalia; bats; bat; Falco peregrinus; Black-headed Gull; Larus ridibundus
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13516161; https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.13516161

(Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) Abstract The role played by predation of birds in the mortality of British bats is assessed. A review of dietary studies and anecdotal accounts revealed eleven species of bird which occasionally feed on bats–Herring Gull Larus argentatus , Black‐headed Gull Larus ridibundus , Rook Corvus frugilegus , Carrion Crow Corvus corone , Little Owl Athene noctua , Short‐eared Owl Asio flammeus , Kestrel Falco tinnunculus , Hobby Falco subbuteo , Merlin Falco columbarius , Peregrine Falco peregrinus and Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus. A further three species feed more frequently on bats–Barn Owl Tyto alba , Tawny Owl Strix aluco and Long‐eared Owl Asio otus. Rates of predation were very low accounting for only 00034 o o of items taken by small hawks and falcons ( n items = 29 519) but 0035 o , of prey taken by owls ( n items = 99 479). By multiplying together the average annual prey capture rates of the predators, assessed from their energetic food requirements and ...