Position:
Special Academic Staff, School of Science & Engineering, University of Crete Natural History Museum of Crete
Status:
PhD
Address:

Natural History Museum of Crete, University of Crete,
Knossou Ave., P.O. Box 2208, GR-71409,
Heraklion Crete, Greece

Department:
Ecology lab

Education

  • 2007, University of Crete, Department of Biology/ University of the Aegean, Department of Environmental Studies, Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory. Post-doc research in Raptor Management & Conservation
  • 2002, University of Crete, Department of Biology. Ph.D. in Environmental Biology
  • 1993, University of Reading, Department of Pure and Applied Zoology, M.Sc. in Wildlife Management & Pest Control, 1993
  • 1990, University of Athens, Department of Biology. B.Sc. in Biology

Research Interests

Raptor ecology, conservation & Management, Ecology of farmland birds, Seabirds ecology, Environmental policy

Sakellari M., Xirouchakis S., Baxevani K., Probonas M. (2016) Wildlife poisoning in Crete and the intentions of local interest groups to engage in anti-poisoning actions. Biodiversity DOI: 10.1080/14888386.2016.1214925 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14888386.2016.1214925
Karris G., Thanou E., Xirouchakis S., Voulgaris M-D., Fraguedakis-Tsolis S., Sfenthourakis S., Giokas S. (2013) Sex Determination of Scopoli's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) Juveniles: A Combined Molecular and Morphometric Approach. Waterbirds 36, 240-246
Simaiakis S., Dretakis M., Barboutis C., Kastritis A., Portolou D., Xirouchakis S. (2012) Breeding land birds across the Greek islands: a biogeographic study with emphasis on faunal similarity, species–area relationships and nestedness. Journal of Ornithology 153, 849–860
Tzortzakaki O., Simaiakis S., Xirouchakis S. (2012) Abundance of common buzzards (Buteo buteo) in olive monocultures in the island of Crete. Journal of Biological Research-Thessaloniki 17, 00-00
Xirouchakis S., Fric J., Kassara C., Portolou D., Dimalexis A., Karris G., Barboutis C., Latsoudis P., Bourdakis S., Kakalis E., Sfenthourakis S. (2011) Variation in breeding parameters of Eleonora’s falcon (Falco eleonorae) and factors affecting its reproductive performance. Ecol. Res. 27, 407-419
Sakellari M., Xirouchakis S., Baxevani K., Probonas M. (2016) Wildlife poisoning in Crete and the intentions of local interest groups to engage in anti-poisoning actions. Biodiversity DOI: 10.1080/14888386.2016.1214925 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14888386.2016.1214925
Karris G., Thanou E., Xirouchakis S., Voulgaris M-D., Fraguedakis-Tsolis S., Sfenthourakis S., Giokas S. (2013) Sex Determination of Scopoli's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) Juveniles: A Combined Molecular and Morphometric Approach. Waterbirds 36, 240-246
Simaiakis S., Dretakis M., Barboutis C., Kastritis A., Portolou D., Xirouchakis S. (2012) Breeding land birds across the Greek islands: a biogeographic study with emphasis on faunal similarity, species–area relationships and nestedness. Journal of Ornithology 153, 849–860
Tzortzakaki O., Simaiakis S., Xirouchakis S. (2012) Abundance of common buzzards (Buteo buteo) in olive monocultures in the island of Crete. Journal of Biological Research-Thessaloniki 17, 00-00
Xirouchakis S., Fric J., Kassara C., Portolou D., Dimalexis A., Karris G., Barboutis C., Latsoudis P., Bourdakis S., Kakalis E., Sfenthourakis S. (2011) Variation in breeding parameters of Eleonora’s falcon (Falco eleonorae) and factors affecting its reproductive performance. Ecol. Res. 27, 407-419
Xirouchakis S. (2010) Breeding biology and reproductive performance of Griffon vultures Gyps fulvus on the island of Crete. Bird Study 57, 213-225
Xirouchakis S., Andreou G. (2009) Foraging behaviour and flight characteristics of griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) in the island of Crete (Greece). Wildlife Biology 15, 1-16
Grivas C., Xirouchakis S., Christodoulou C., Carcamo-Aboitiz B., Georgiakakis P., Probonas M. (2009) An audio-visual nest monitoring system for the study and manipulation of siblicide in bearded vultures Gypaetus barbatus on the island of Crete (Greece). Journal of Ethology 27, 105-116
Dimalexis A., Xirouchakis S., Portolou D., Latsoudis P., Karris G., Fric J., Georgiakakis P., Barboutis C., Bourdakis S., Ivovič M., Kominos Th., Kakalis E. (2008) The status of Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) in Greece. Journal of Ornithology 149(1), 23-30
Xirouchakis S., Poulakakis N. (2008) Biometrics, sexual dimorphism and gender determination in an insular population of griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus). ARDEA 96, 1-10
Xirouchakis S. (2007) Seasonal and daily activity pattern in Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) colonies on the island of Crete. Ornis Fennica 84, 39-46
Xirouchakis S., Mylonas M. (2007) Breeding behaviour and parental care of the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus on the island of Crete. 19, 1-26
Grivas C., Christodulu C., Xirouchakis S., Probonas M. (2006) Monitoring nesting activity with an automated surveillance video system: A case study of the endangered Bearded Vulture in Crete. Journal of Ornithology, Abstracts to XXIV. International Ornithological Congress, Hamburg, 2006 supll 1: 147(5), 175-176
Xirouchakis S., Mylonas M. (2005) Selection of breeding cliffs by the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus in Crete. Acta Ornithologica 40, 155-161
Xirouchakis S., Mylonas M. (2005) Status and structure of the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) population in Crete. European Journal of Wildlife Research 51(4), 223-231
Xirouchakis S. (2005) The diet of the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Crete. Journal of Raptor Research 39(2), 179-181
Xirouchakis S. (2005) The avifauna of the western Rodopi forests (N. Greece). Belgian Journal of Zoology 135(2), 261-269
Xirouchakis S., Mylonas M. (2004) Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) distribution and density in Crete. Israel Journal of Zoology 50(4), 341-354
Xirouchakis S., Grivas C. (2002) Age at first breeding of the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus). Sandgrouse 24(2), 130-134
Xirouchakis S., Nikolakakis M. (2002) Conservation implications of the temporal and spatial distribution of the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) in Crete. Bird. Conservation International 12, 211-222
Xirouchakis S. (2001) The Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos in Crete. Distribution, population status and conservation problems. Avocetta 25, 275-281
Tsatsakis A., Christakis-Hampsas M., Xirouchakis S., Baum F., Ristow D. (2001) Whodunit? The case of the disappearing Eleonora’s Falcons. World Bird Watch 23, 25-27
Xirouchakis S., Sakoulis A., Andreou G. (2001) The decline of the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in Greece. Ardeola 48, 183-190
Ristow D., Xirouchakis S. (2000) What is killing Eleonora’s Falcons? World Bird Watch 22, 14-15
Xirouchakis S., Andreou G., Arnelos G. (2000) The impact of poisoned baits set for vermin on the population of vultures in Crete (Greece). Incidences of secondary poisoning during 1990-1999. Vulture News 42, 13-24
Xirouchakis S. (1998) Dust bathing of the Bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus. Journal of Raptor Research 32, 322

Teaching experience

  • 2014-2016, Biodiversity (lab), Fauna of Greece (lectures & labs), Avian anatomy (lab) (Department of Biology/ Un. of Crete)
  • 1997, Avian Systematics (lectures), avian anatomy (lab). Department of Biology/ Un. of Crete)
  • 1996, Avian anatomy (lab). Department of Biology/ Un. of Crete)