Individual recognition of territorial peregrine falcons Falco peregrinus: a key for long-term monitoring programmes.

Abstract

Research on avian population dynamics necessitates significant time and effort in order to mark and control a sufficient number of individuals in the monitored population to obtain an adequate sample for analysis. Various recognition techniques which facilitate population monitoring have been documented, with photography being one of the most useful tools. We used photography, drawings and alphanumeric coloured rings in order to identify peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus Tunstall 1771). We described eight principal characters which allowed us to identify individual peregrines in the field, including the shape, length and size of the moustache and the dark marks that extend from the nape to the cheek and neck; design, size, density and distribution of the spots on the breast, throat, neck and cheek; and the colour of the breast and neck. From 1997 to 2013 we identified 83 males and 96 females in 35 territories. We found phenotypic variation among individuals when the combination of the possible subgroups of identification characters was considered, which constitutes an opportunity to recognise individual hawks without marking them with artificial tags.

Keywords

• Individual recognition; capture and recapture programs; population dynamics; peregrine falcons.