In addition, other research topics investigated by our group are:
(i) monitoring nest-boxes (n=±250) of kestrels since 1998 in order to collect data about their reproductive biology,
(ii) collecting blood samples for DNA analysis for population genetics,
(iii) keeping samples for eventually investigating (when funds will be available) genotoxic effects of exposure to magnetic fields (nest boxes are on electric pylons), and finally
(iv) collecting ecototoxicology data for assessing the exposure of our kestrel to PCBs and other environmental contaminants.
For the last three years during the breeding season, we have been runing a project with three societies of ENEL, the main Italian power company, called the "nests on-line" project for observing the life of kestrels and peregrines on their nests using internet birdcams (www.enelbirdcam.com, www.birdcam.it). We also collaborate with another local power company called ACEA.
We are all volunteer scientists and recently we organised in a small non-profit research association, Ornis italica (www.ornisitalica.com) for interfacing with institutions and other research groups.
We are open to scientific collaborations with other institutions and researchers working on raptors and other birds of prey all around the world.
References
- Piccirillo D. 2000. [Environmental factors affecting the occupation of nest boxes and the breeding performance of the Eurasian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)]. Graduate thesis, University of Rome "La Sapienza" (in Italian).
- Costantini D. 2003. [The diet of kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and a geometric morphometrics analysis of the western green lizard's (Lacerta bilineata) remains]. Graduate thesis, University of Rome "La Sapienza" (in Italian).
- Casagrande S. 2003. [Parental care and onest signals in the Eurasian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)]. PhD Thesis, University of Parma (in Italian).
- Casagrande S., Csermely D., Pini E., Bertacche V. & Tagliavini J., 2006. Skin carotenoid concentration correlates with male hunting skill and territory quality in the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Journal of Avian Biology, 37: 190-196.
- Costantini D., Casagrande S., Di Lieto G., Fanfani A. & Dell'Omo G., 2005. Consistent differences in feeding habits between neighbouring breeding kestrels. Behaviour, 142: 1409-1421.
- Costantini D., Casagrande S., De Filippis S., Brambilla G., Fanfani A., Tagliavini J. & Dell'Omo G., 2006. Correlates of oxidative stress in wild kestrel nestlings (Falco tinnunculus). Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 176: 329-337.
- Casagrande S., Dell'Omo G., Costantini D. & Tagliavini J. Genetic differences between early- and late-breeding Eurasian kestrels. Evolutionary Ecology Research, in press.
- Costantini D. & Dell'Omo G. Environmental and genetic components of oxidative stress in wild kestrel nestlings (Falco tinnunculus). Journal of Comparative Physiology B, in press.
- Dell'Omo G., Costantini D., Di Lieto G. & Casagrande S. Birds and power lines. Proceedings to the 1st Congress on Birds of Rome. Alula, in press. (in Italian).