Bats and Swifts as food of the European Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in a small town in Slovakia

European Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) in Bardejov, Slovakia, have adapted their foraging behavior to exploit bats and Common Swifts as prey, using novel tactics such as sit-and-wait ambushes near building ventilation channels. This specialized diet significantly boosted breeding success compared to kestrels that did not hunt these urban-dwelling species. The study highlights a recent ecological shift in predator-prey dynamics within small towns, where improved building insulation now threatens both the kestrels and their novel prey by destroying roosting and breeding sites. Research involved analyzing diet composition and foraging behavior across multiple breeding pairs, revealing no significant sex-based differences in hunting strategies.

Mikula, P., Hromada, M., & Tryjanowski, P. (2013). Bats and Swifts as food of the European Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in a small town in Slovakia. Ornis Fennica, 90(3). https://doi.org/10.51812/of.133832