La Tour du Valat

Institut de recherche pour la conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes

Titre :	Determining predators at nests of meadow birds.
Auteurs :	Jochen Bellebaum, Auteur ; Martin Boschert, Auteur
Type de document :	Article
Dans :	Vogelwelt (Die) (124(2) 2003)
Article en page(s) :	83-91
Résumé :	In order to determine causes of nest losses in ground-breeding birds, distinctive characteristics of clutches successfully hatched as well as clutches destroyed by various predators and those lost due to other causes are described. The information is based on a literature review and own field studies of over 600 clutches of Lapwing Vanellus vanellus and Curlew Numenius arquata in Germany. For the purpose of identifying bite marks on eggs, we present measurements of canine spacing from selected mammal species (Carnivora) that are potential predators of ground-nesting birds. Important characteristics to identify the cause of clutch loss are: presence/absence of small eggshell fragments, larger remains with tooth marks, traces of egg contents and tracks of predators. Mammalian predators can be roughly classified with the help of tooth marks. A key based on frequently occurring characteristics is presented to facilitate identification of causes of clutch loss.

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