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Dispersal and philopatry in Central European Red Kites Milvus milvus

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Abstract

In a study of the extent and timing of Red Kite Milvus milvus dispersal movements from Central Europe (Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia) using GPS telemetry, we found support for the hypothesis that Red Kite dispersal, including migration behaviour, is dependent on both age and sex. Examination of the tendency to stay in, or return to, a particular area in Red Kites indicated that, while part of the population remained in the natal area, most migrated to overwintering sites across a broad belt of southern European sites stretching from the Iberian Peninsula to the Balkans. Red Kites first bred at 2 years old, i.e. in their 3rd calendar year. Migration routes were significantly longer in females than males, while natal philopatry was significantly higher in males than females. The lengths of single-year migration routes decreased significantly over consecutive years, and breeding philopatry increased significantly in cases where previous breeding was successful.

Zusammenfassung

Dispersal und Philopatrie bei mitteleuropäischen Rotmilanen Milvus milvus

Dispersal ist die Bewegung von Individuen weg von ihrer Quelle (Herkunftsort), während Philopatrie die Tendenz ist, in einem bestimmten Gebiet zu bleiben oder dorthin zurückzukehren. Wir untersuchten das Ausmaß und den Zeitpunkt der Ausbreitungsbewegungen von Rotmilan Milvus milvus aus Mitteleuropa (Österreich, Tschechien und Slowakei) mittels GPS-Telemetrie. Wir testeten und fanden Unterstützung für eine Hypothese, dass die Ausbreitung einschließlich des Migrationsverhaltens von Rotmilanen von Alter und Geschlecht abhängig ist. Bei brütenden Rotmilanen haben wir die Geburtsorttreue und die Brutplatztreue studiert. Rotmilane wanderten von den Geburtsorten zum Überwintern nach Südeuropa und verwendeten dabei ein breites Band von der iberischen und italienischen Halbinsel bis zum Balkan (ein Teil der Population überwinterte nahe dem Geburtsort). Die Länge der jährlichen Zugrouten von Rotmilanen nahm in aufeinanderfolgenden Jahren deutlich ab. Die Migrationswege waren bei den Weibchen signifikant länger als bei den Männchen. Rotmilane brüteten erstmals im Alter von zwei Jahren (im 3. Kalenderjahr). Geburtsorttreue war bei Männchen signifikant stärker ausgeprägt als bei den Weibchen. Die Brutplatztreue war bei vorheriger erfolgreicher Brut signifikant stärker ausgeprägt als bei vorheriger erfolgloser Brut.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all those who helpfully cooperated with us in this study, especially Štefan Danko, Dora Dvoržak, Mykhailo Franchuk, David Horal, Ervin Hrtan, jr., Jelena Kralj, Josip Ledinšćak, Ladislav Lešák, Karel Machač, Růžena Machačová, Hana Makoňová, David Melichar, Štefan Mikiara, Jakub Mráz, Miloš Paisker sr., Miloš Paisker jr., Vladimír Pečeňák, Lubomír Peške, Václav Pinta, Petr Podzemný, Jiří Pykal, Blanka Raab, Slavomír Senk, Vlasta Škorpíková, Ján Svetlík, Adrian Tomik and Jiří Vlček. We would also like to thank Connor Panter, Kevin Roche and reviewers for helpful comments on an earlier draft of the manuscript. This study was supported through Project 2021ITA26 of the University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1, 61242, Brno, Czech Republic

    Ivan Literák, Jan Škrábal, Stanislav Vyhnal & Marek Dostál

  2. Technisches Büro für Biologie Mag. Dr. Rainer Raab, Quadenstrasse 13, 2232, Deutsch-Wagram, Austria

    Rainer Raab & Péter Spakovszky

  3. 68713, Březolupy 324, Czech Republic

    Hynek Matušík

  4. Animal Rescue Station, Zábělská 75, 31200, Plzeň, Czech Republic

    Karel Makoň

  5. Raptor Protection of Slovakia, Trhová 54, 84101, Bratislava 42, Slovakia

    Boris Maderič

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  1. Ivan Literák
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Correspondence to Ivan Literák.

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Ethical approval

The telemetry study of Red Kites was undertaken under permits issued by local nature protection authorities in Austria (MIL2-J-0812/012, GFL2-J-107/014, BHBRN-2019-314986/5-PS), the Czech Republic (S-JMK 188552/2014 OŽP/Kuč, S-JMK 32177/2015 OŽP/Kuč, S-JMK 30634/2016 OŽP/Ško, S-JMK 177265/2017/OŽP/Ško) and the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic (MŽP SK 664/297/05-5.1pil and MŽP SK 2944/2017-6.3).

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Literák, I., Raab, R., Škrábal, J. et al. Dispersal and philopatry in Central European Red Kites Milvus milvus. J Ornithol 163, 469–479 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-021-01950-5

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