CURRENT RESEARCH: ANTI-PARASITE BEHAVIOR OF KESTRELS
Birds defend themselves against parasites in different ways. Behavioral defenses, like preening (grooming) and scratching are considered the first line of defense against ectoparasites. Many species of birds control ectoparasites by physically crushing them using the small overhang at the tip of their bill. However, less is known about how raptors control parasites or how much time they budget for anti-parasite behavior. Interestingly, some data suggest that American kestrels spend more time preening than other types of birds that have been studied in the wild. We are currently capturing kestrels in Utah, banding them, and examining them for parasites. We are also monitoring their behavior and how it relates to their level of parasite infestation and other environmental factors.
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