Territory fidelity, reproductive success and prey choice in the brown falcon, Falco berigora: A flexible bet-hedger?

摘要: The brown falcon, Falco berigora, is one of Australia's most common and widespread raptors, inhabiting a broad array habitats climatic zones across Australia. We monitored large, marked population (44–49 pairs) over three annual breeding seasons in southern Victoria. Reproductive parameters such as clutch size the duration parental care were constant years. However, there differences brood proportion pairs breeding. Both sexes falcons found to have high territory mate fidelity, with only 10% members each sex changing territories during study. Falcons flexible their choice nest sites, using variety tree species even isolated trees. Nest sites regularly distributed throughout study area, density highest on record for this species. diet whole was very broad, but pair predominantly specialised either lagomorphs, small ground prey, birds, large birds or reptiles. Individuals that changed within area also switched according predominant land-use new thus prey availability. argue that, at level, dietary breadth, flexibility site, conservative, static strategy allows persist range environments, possibly through 'bet-hedging'. At individual changeable specialisation, strong year-round territorial defence, confining years when conditions favourable adjusting sizes required appear be main strategies enabling thrive under conditions.