Publication
Predation by the common kingfisher Alcedo atthis of non-native fish species during the winter
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Capsule:ThewinterdietofCommonKingfishersAlcedoatthisusingtworiversincentralSpainwas
94.9% fish, all of which were non-native species.
Aims: To determine the composition Common Kingfisher diet in an area recently colonized by
non-native fish species, and to compare estimated prey size during the winter to that of fish fed
to nestlings during the breeding season.
Methods: The diet was studied by analysis of pellets collected from the River Duero (lentic, still
water) and River Pisuerga (lotic, riverine) in central Spain. Fish size (total length and biomass)
calculated from paired remains contained in each pellet.
Results:Prey itemswerealmost exclusivelyfish(94.9%ofallprey),withasmallproportionofnonnative Red Swamp Crayfish Procambarus clarkii (4.9%) and aquatic insects (0.2%). The diet
consisted of only five species of fish, all of which were non-native. The Common Bleak Alburnus
alburnus and Eastern Mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki were theprey captured most often in
the River Pisuerga and River Duero, respectively. Estimated length of fish prey ranged from 1.5
to 10.5 cm, but 53.6% of individuals were between 3 and 5 cm. Mean biomass of the fish
consumed was also small (1.08 g per fish). Mean values of both fish total length and biomass
were lower than the measurements reported elsewhere in Europe during the breeding season.
Conclusion: Native fish species have disappeared from the diet of Common Kingfishers in our
study area, probably because the non-native species are more common
Description
Keywords
Invasive Alcedo atthis
Pedagogical Context
Citation
GARCIA, Jose António [et al.] (2023) - Predation by the common kingfisher Alcedo atthis of non-native fish species during the winter. Bird Study. 69:3.4, p. 97-102. DOI 10.1080/00063657.2022.2162478
Publisher
Bird Study