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Evaluation of the limiting factors affecting the Seychelles Kestrel Falco araeus on Praslin Island (Seychelles) and considerations regarding a possible reintroduction of the species

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 December 2023

Michele Barilari Open the ORCID record for Michele Barilari [Opens in a new window]  and
Mattia Tonelli Open the ORCID record for Mattia Tonelli [Opens in a new window]
Michele Barilari*
Affiliation:
Il Geco Verde S.S.D.r.l., 61122, Pesaro, Italy
Mattia Tonelli
Affiliation:
Scuola Secondaria di I grado “Mastro Giorgio – Nelli”, 06024, Gubbio, Italy
*
Corresponding author: Michele Barilari; Email: mcl.barilari@gmail.com
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Summary

The Seychelles Kestrel Falco araeus is an endemic species confined to the larger granitic islands in the Seychelles archipelago. It is classified as “Vulnerable” and became extinct on Praslin and La Digue islands in the 1970s, leading to an attempt of reintroduction in 1977. This reintroduction was not a success, with the last census reporting only four breeding pairs on Praslin Island. Studies on the Seychelles Kestrel are very limited and dated, and a lack of data on the biology and ecology of the species has made it difficult to make a thorough assessment of the cause of the current decline of the Praslin population. In order to determine the limiting factors on Praslin we investigated the following ecological parameters: nest-site availability, trophic availability, predatory pressure, and interspecific competition. Data were collected on Mahé and Praslin islands in three habitats (i.e. urban, suburban, and forest areas) and compared to determine if limiting factors differed among islands, habitats, and islands*habitat. We only found a significant difference in nest-site availability, with Praslin showing a marked lack of nesting cavities. Breeding pairs on Praslin are probably forced to nest in suboptimal sites. Indeed, the breeding success rate on Praslin is very low, and most of the nests there fail. The Seychelles Kestrel population on Praslin is in decline and cannot be sustained without human intervention. Such an intervention must take into account the ecological parameters highlighted in the present study.

Keywords

Katitiinterspecific competitionnest-site availabilitypredatory pressuretrophic availabilityVulnerable
Type
Research Article
Information
Bird Conservation International , Volume 33 , 2023 , e79
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of BirdLife International

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