The influence of nestling predation on nest site selection and behaviour of the bateleur

Abstract

Appropriate nest site selection and the response of parents and nestlings to intruders near the nest, are behaviours that could be adaptive in a species that is prone to nestling predation. This study showed that predation of bateleur nestlings in the Kruger National Park was high, that behaviour of adults and nestlings towards intruders’near the nest served to reduce the detectability of the nestling, and that bateleurs appeared to select nest sites for concealment and protection of the nestling. It is suggested that the high vulnerability of bateleur nestlings to predation is a consequence of the species' unique foraging mode and subsequent low amount of time available for nestling defence.