Study

Survival of Danish kestrels Falco tinnunculus in relation to protection of birds of prey

  • Published source details Noer H. & Secher H. (1983) Survival of Danish kestrels Falco tinnunculus in relation to protection of birds of prey. Ornis Scandinavica, 14, 104-114.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use legislative regulation to protect wild populations

Action Link
Bird Conservation

Enforce legislation to protect birds against persecution

Action Link
Farmland Conservation
  1. Use legislative regulation to protect wild populations

    A before-and-after study examining 524 kestrels Falco tinnunculus recovered during 1917-80 in Denmark (Noer & Secher 1983) found that estimated survival rates of birds ringed as chicks increased during 1967-72 (66% annual survival) compared to 1945-66 (50%), following the introduction of legal protection for all birds of prey in 1967. However, the increase in survival rate following kestrel-specific legislation in 1926 was insignificant (45% for 1917-25 vs. 55% for 1926-39) and there was a significant fall in 1973-80 (to 53%). There were similar (although insignificant) patterns for birds ringed as juveniles or adults. There were significant decreases in the proportion of recoveries that were shot following each piece of legislation, from 1917-25 (59% of 29) to 1926-39 (14% of 35) and again from 1945-66 (17% of 76) to 1976-80 (2% of 192).

     

  2. Enforce legislation to protect birds against persecution

    A before-and-after study examining 524 common kestrels Falco tinnunculus recovered during 1917-1980 in Denmark (Noer & Secher 1983) found that estimated survival rates of birds ringed as chicks increased during 1967-1972 (66% annual survival) compared to 1945-1966 (50%), following the introduction of legal protection for all birds of prey in 1967. However, the increase in survival rate following kestrel-specific legislation in 1926 was insignificant (45% for 1917-1925 vs 55% for 1926-1939) and there was a significant fall in 1973-1980 (to 53%). There were similar (although insignificant) patterns for birds ringed as juveniles or adults. There were significant decreases in the proportion of recoveries that were shot following each piece of legislation, from 1917-1925 (59% of 29) to 1926-1939 (14% of 35) and again from 1945-1966 (17% of 76) to 1976-1980 (2% of 192).

     

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