LAUSR

Abstract Knowledge of habitat preferences is critical for understanding the needs of and interactions among sympatric avian species and for implementing successful management and conservation projects. The common buzzard, western marsh harrier, hen harrier and black kite are the commonest raptors of Greece during the non-breeding season. Therefore, the availability, use and selection of cover types by these foraging raptors were recorded in the Evros Delta, Greece, along a 40-km x 1-km road transect, using the road transect method. A total of 14 surveys (2–4 a month) were conducted during the non-breeding season, from November 2002 to March 2003. Eight cover types were identified within the transect, with agricultural land being the most abundant, followed by saltmarshes, freshwater marshes and lagoons. Each raptor species was more likely to use one or more cover types more than expected and other types less than expected. Overlap in cover type use was higher between common buzzards, western marsh harriers and black kites, and lower between these species and hen harriers. Common buzzards more strongly selected freshwater marshes, rivers and canals, grassland and reedbeds as foraging habitats. Foraging western marsh harriers more strongly selected reedbeds, freshwater marshes and saltpans, hen harriers mostly preferred grassland and saltmarshes, whereas black kites showed a strong selection for rivers and canals, freshwater marshes and reedbeds. Analysis revealed preferences, similarities and differences in habitat use and selection among four diurnal medium-sized raptors across the Evros Delta. Particularities in habitat preferences by raptors suggested that they were adapted to the available features in this area. This study provided important information on the foraging behavior of raptor species that could help assess the importance of certain sites and habitats and improve management strategies to benefit birds.