Nestling-age dependent parental care strategy of Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni in Mongolia

Abstract

We monitored 10 breeding attempts made by Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni using camera traps. We began our field surveys on 20th June each year as this period coincided with the beginning of nestling period of Lesser Kestrel. We found that parental visiting frequency increased significantly as nestlings matured. However, a significant negative relationship was also found between overall parental nest-stay duration and nestling age. Furthermore, breeding males played a leading role in visiting their nests with or without food, whereas females played a major role in brooding the nestlings in the nests. We also found that parental feeding rate significantly increased as nestlings matured.