Dzialak, M.R., Carter, K.M. & Lacki, M.J. 2007: Perch site selection by reintroduced peregrine falcons Falco peregrinus. - Wildl. Biol. 13: 225-231.
As part of a program to recover the peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus in the southeastern U.S. we recorded perching behaviour with the objective of characterizing perches used in the reintroduction area. We used a site attribute design and logistic regression to compare characteristics between used and non-used perches. Peregrines used pines Pinus spp. exclusively, while pines comprised 78% of available trees. Perches were larger than non-used trees (diameter at breast height in cm (in 0 ± SD); 29.2 ± 15.7 and 23.9 ± 10.3), in more advanced stages of decay (2.5 ± 1.5 and 1.5 ± 1.1 (index)), and usually dominant in crown class (1.5 ± 0.6 and 1.7 ± 0.5 (index)). Perches were always on cliff plateaus and tended to be situated in sites with a less even canopy (0.5 ± 0.3 and 0.7 ± 0.2 (index)) and fewer deciduous stems (1.8 ± 3.4 and 2.3 ± 2.3 (stem density)) than non-used trees. These attributes depict selection of perches that provide unobstructed flight paths, good visibility, and a capacity to detect and respond rapidly to stimuli.
Key words: behaviour, Falco peregrinus, perch selection, post-fledging, wildlife reintroduction
Matthew R. Dzialak* & Michael J. Lacki, Department of Forestry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA 40546 - e-mail addresses: matt@haydenwing.com (Matthew R. Dzialak); mlacki@uky.edu (Michael J. Lacki)
*Present address: Hayden-Wing Associates, LLC, 2308 S. 8th St., Laramie, Wyoming 82070, USA
Corresponding author: Matthew R. Dzialak
Received 15 December 2005, accepted 9 June 2006
Associate Editor: Jon E. Swenson