Raptor perches attract 12 bird species in eastern Taiwan
猛禽棲架吸引台灣東部12種鳥類
| TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Agriculture said Thursday that collaboration between the Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute and National Pingtung University of Science and Technology led to the installation of raptor perches in January last year.
The perches were placed near farmland in Hualien and fitted with cameras, allowing researchers to record 12 bird species visiting, including black-winged kites, kestrels, nighthawks, brown shrikes, and black-throated robins, per CNA. Black-winged kites and kestrels prey on rodents in agricultural fields, while brown shrikes catch insects and small reptiles. Nighthawks, sparrows, and black-throated robins also feed on insects. Tracking birds resting on raptor perches gives biologists insight into their food sources and feeding behavior. It also provides a window into rodent and insect populations in farmlands, potentially encouraging farmers to reduce chemical-based pest control. In addition to the raptor perches, the Organic Agriculture Research Center built 10 solitary bee hotels to attract bees that nest alone in the ground or in cavities above ground. Solitary bees, such as leafcutter bees, feed on pollen and nectar and are important crop pollinators. Native flowering plants were also planted around the bee hotels, providing habitat and food for pollinators that contribute to biodiversity essential to organic farming and the food chain. |
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| Sean Scanlan Taiwan News, Staff Writer | |
| 2025-08-10 |
