Growth and Biology of African Raptors

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Growth and Biology of African Raptors Gabar 19:2 November 2008 NOTES Partial albino African Marsh Harrier at Langebaan, South Africa Robert E. Simmons1, Trevor Hardaker2 & William S. Clark3* 1FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, RSA; 2 ZEST for BIRDS, P.O. Box 50503, West Beach 7449, RSA; 3 P. O. Box 531467, Harlingen, Texas 78550, USA, * corresponding author An unusually coloured harrier (Fig 1) was observed in the West Coast National Park, at the southern end of Langebaan Lagoon, South Africa (S33 10.8 E18 07.5) in 2007 and 2008. It was identified as an African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus by its size, shape and reed-bed location when first seen by TH in May 2007. Its plumage was unusual in that some feathers in the primaries, secondaries, nape, back, upperwing coverts, and body were completely white. Only the tail was the typical colour, with no white feathers (Fig 2). Partial albino is the term used by Sage (1962) and Ross (1963) for this plumage to distinguish this condition from full albino, when all feathers are white and body parts pink. This is the first published record of partial albinism for the African Marsh Harrier. It was assumed to be a male by its behaviour, size, and grey colouration on the uppersides of the remiges. African Marsh Harriers occur naturally in the wetlands surrounding this natural salt-water lagoon and other African Marsh Harriers were breeding and on eggs, so there is the possibility that this bird did breed and pass on this interesting aberration. However, this male did not appear to be paired and no food passes were apparent in the approx 1 hour that RES observed it on 27 September 16 Gabar 19:2 November 2008 2007 that would suggest a mate sitting tight on eggs. Too few observations were carried out, however, to confirm this. A typically- coloured male African Marsh Harrier (judged by size and pale grey in the secondaries) was observed harassing it by RES on a subsequent sighting in September 2007. The bird was first independently observed on 5 May 2007 flying by itself by TH, who photographed the bird passing overhead (Fig 1) and again on 9 March 2008 when it was observed flying together with other individuals but not interacting directly with them. It was again seen by WSC who photographed the bird on 9 June 2008 – 13 months after the initial observations (Fig 3). It was seen flying with two juveniles on that date. The final sighting of the bird in August 2008 by RES indicated that the white feathers were retained through the moult and were not just a transient phenomena. Moult in males typically occurs after breeding in about October-November (Simmons 2005), so this bird had been through at least one full moult during our observations. Given that adult African Marsh Harriers frequently return to their breeding territory (Simmons 2005), there is a good chance that this bird will remain for the up-coming breeding season beginning in August 2008. Unusually coloured harriers often occur at the periphery of their ranges (Simmons & Simmons 2000), so this bird supports the trend occurring as it does at the south-western most corner of its African distribution. Partial albinism has been reported for three other harrier species. Watson (1977) reported eight instances of this condition in the Hen Harrier (C. cyaneus) in the western-most part of their range. Clarke (1995) reported six records of it from East Anglia in the UK for the Western Marsh Harrier (C. aeruginosus), and in the same year (1989) a brood from Holland with partially white young. This “sporadic outbreak of partially white birds” led Clarke (1995) to speculate whether a temporary environmental factor was at play. Bernis (1969) reported a juvenile of 17 Gabar 19:2 November 2008 this species with lots of white in the plumage, and another was reported from Italy in a different year. Finally, Buller (1877) described a partial albino specimen of the Swamp Harrier (C. approximans) and the sighting of another. So while this trait is not unheard of in other harriers, this appears to be the first such observation of a partial albino African Marsh Harrier, although dark-morph individuals have been reported by Clark (1997) from East and Southern Africa. Fig 1. The territorial partial albino African Marsh Harrier observed at Langebaan Lagoon in 2007 and 2008 (photo Trevor Hardaker). The dull grey visible on this birds’ secondaries identify it as a male. 18 Gabar 19:2 November 2008 Fig 2. The same African Marsh Harriers photographed in September 2007 indicating the splashed white effect on the wings and back but a lack of white on the tail (photo Rob Simmons). 19 Gabar 19:2 November 2008 Fig 3. The partial albino African Marsh Harrier showing the white extending across the back and around the rump, photographed in June 2008 (Bill Clark). Marsh harrier males typically moult after breeding (September-October) indicating that this bird moulted in white feathers the following year. 20 Gabar 19:2 November 2008 References Bernis, F. 1969. [Aberrant plumages in the genus Circus.] In Spanish. Ardeola 13:249-251. Buller, W. L. 1877. Further notes on the Ornithology of New Zealand. Trans. & Procs. of the Royal Society of New Zealand 10:201. Clarke, R. 1995. The Marsh Harrier. Hamlyn Species Guides, London. Clark, W. S. 1997. A dark morph for the African Marsh Harrier J. Afr. Raptor Biol. 12:27-29. Ross, C.C. 1963. Albinism among North American birds. Cassinia 47:2- 21. Sage, B. L. 1962. Albinism and melanism in birds. British Birds 55:201- 225. Simmons, R. E. 2005. African Marsh Harrier In: Hockey, P. A. R., Dean, W. R. J., Ryan, P. G. (eds) Roberts’ birds of southern Africa. Pp 501-502. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Black Eagle Publishing, Cape Town. Simmons, R. E. & Simmons, J. R. 2000. Harriers of the world: their behaviour and ecology. Oxford University Press, UK. Watson, D. 1977. The Hen Harrier. T. & A. D. Poyser, Berkhamsted. UK. 21.
Recommended publications
  • Australian Diurnal Raptors and Airports
    Australian diurnal raptors and airports Photo: John Barkla, BirdLife Australia William Steele Australasian Raptor Association BirdLife Australia Australian Aviation Wildlife Hazard Group Forum Brisbane, 25 July 2013 So what is a raptor? Small to very large birds of prey. Diurnal, predatory or scavenging birds. Sharp, hooked bills and large powerful feet with talons. Order Falconiformes: 27 species on Australian list. Family Falconidae – falcons/ kestrels Family Accipitridae – eagles, hawks, kites, osprey Falcons and kestrels Brown Falcon Black Falcon Grey Falcon Nankeen Kestrel Australian Hobby Peregrine Falcon Falcons and Kestrels – conservation status Common Name EPBC Qld WA SA FFG Vic NSW Tas NT Nankeen Kestrel Brown Falcon Australian Hobby Grey Falcon NT RA Listed CR VUL VUL Black Falcon EN Peregrine Falcon RA Hawks and eagles ‐ Osprey Osprey Hawks and eagles – Endemic hawks Red Goshawk female Hawks and eagles – Sparrowhawks/ goshawks Brown Goshawk Photo: Rik Brown Hawks and eagles – Elanus kites Black‐shouldered Kite Letter‐winged Kite ~ 300 g Hover hunters Rodent specialists LWK can be crepuscular Hawks and eagles ‐ eagles Photo: Herald Sun. Hawks and eagles ‐ eagles Large ‐ • Wedge‐tailed Eagle (~ 4 kg) • Little Eagle (< 1 kg) • White‐bellied Sea‐Eagle (< 4 kg) • Gurney’s Eagle Scavengers of carrion, in addition to hunters Fortunately, mostly solitary although some multiple strikes on aircraft Hawks and eagles –large kites Black Kite Whistling Kite Brahminy Kite Frequently scavenge Large at ~ 600 to 800 g BK and WK flock and so high risk to aircraft Photo: Jill Holdsworth Identification Beruldsen, G (1995) Raptor Identification. Privately published by author, Kenmore Hills, Queensland, pp. 18‐19, 26‐27, 36‐37.
    [Show full text]
  • Eastern Marsh Harrier Chu-Hi (Jpn) Circus Spilonotus Morphology and Classification Still Undiscovered Nesting Grounds in Hokkaido in Particular
    Bird Research News Vol.7 No.5 2010.5.20. Eastern Marsh Harrier Chu-hi (Jpn) Circus spilonotus Morphology and classification still undiscovered nesting grounds in Hokkaido in particular. The total population of the species wintering in Japan, on the other hand, has not been counted except for the roosting number of some Classification: Accipitriformes Accipitridae areas, such as Watarase Marsh, Tochigi Pref., central Japan. Total length: ♂ 480mm ♀ 580mm Wing length: 380-430mm Wingspan: 1132-1372mm Nest: Tail length: 215-262mm Culmen length: 28-31mm They build a nest in wet reed beds or the dry tall grassland of Japa- Tarsus length: 85-91mm Weight: 498-844g nese pampas grass (Miscanthus sinensis), etc., piling up dry grass on the ground (Nishide 1979, Tada 2007, Naya et. al. 2007, Chiba Measurements after Enomoto (1941). 2008). The nest size is about 110-130cm by 80-90cm (Chiba 2008, Naya et al. 2007). Appearance: The plumage coloration of East- Egg: ern Marsh Harriers is basically They lay an egg at 3.3 day intervals on average (Nishide 1979). brownish, but varies considera- The clutch size is 4-7 eggs (Chiba 2008, Nishide 1979). The egg bly (Morioka et al. 1995). There size is 48.0mm by 38.0mm on average (n = 5) (Chiba 2008). The are types such as totally dark egg color is grayish white (Chiba 2008). brown, off-white from the head to the leading edge of a wing, Incubation and nestling periods: and pale brown with a vertical- Females mostly incubate eggs. The incubation period is about 28- striped underpart, bluish gray 34 days (Chiba 2008).
    [Show full text]
  • Results of the January 2018 Waterbird Counts in Kenya Covering the Rift Valley, Nairobi, Central, Coast, Amboseli and Yala Swamp
    The NATIONAL MUSEUMS of KENYA January 2018 Waterbird Count Results in the Rift Valley, Nairobi, Central, Coast, Amboseli and Yala Swamp Oliver Nasirwa, Paul Mungai, Fleur Ng’weno, Lennox Kirao, Edwin Gichohi, Dominic Chesire, Timothy Ikime and Fred Barasa CENTRE FOR BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH REPORTS: ORNITHOLOGY NO. 83, MARCH 2018 Supported by: 1 Results of the January 2018 waterbird counts in Kenya covering the Rift Valley, Nairobi, Central, Coast, Amboseli and Yala Swamp. January 2018 Waterbird Count Results in the Rift Valley, Nairobi, Central, Coast, Amboseli and Yala Swamp Oliver Nasirwa1, Paul Mungai2, Fleur Ng’weno3, Lennox Kirao4, Edwin Gichohi1, Dominic Chesire1, Timothy Ikime and Fred Barasa3 1National Museums of Kenya, PO Box 40658-00100, Nairobi, Kenya, [email protected]; 2Kenya Wildlife Service, PO Box 20241–00100, Nairobi, Kenya, [email protected]; 3Nature Kenya (EANHS), PO Box 44486- 00100, Nairobi, Kenya, [email protected]; 4A Rocha Kenya, PO Box 383–80202, Watamu, Kenya, [email protected]. Summary Waterbird counts were carried out in 48 sites across Kenya during the months of January and February 2018. A total of 294,950 individuals of 126 waterbird species were recorded. Lake Bogoria had the highest number with 165,852 individuals of 34 waterbird species followed by Lake Nakuru with 23,144 individuals of 73 species and Tana River Delta with 16,143 individuals of 69 species. The highest number of waterbird species was recorded at Lake Nakuru with 73 species, followed by Lake Ol’Bolossat with 72 species and Lake Naivasha with 71 species. The most abundant species was Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor with 163,164 individuals followed by Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber with 14,155 and Little Stint Calidris minuta with 11,401.
    [Show full text]
  • Circus Approximans) in New Zealand
    136 Notornis, 2008, Vol. 55: 136-139 0029-4470 © The Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Inc. Relative abundance of Australasian harriers (Circus approximans) in New Zealand WADE L. EAKLE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Pacific Division, 1455 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 U.S.A. [email protected] Abstract I conducted road counts on the North I and South I of New Zealand in Mar 2006 to evaluate relative abundance and distribution of Australasian harriers (Circus approximans). Over 1670 km were traveled on the North I with 98 harriers detected, yielding 1 harrier/17.0 km traveled. Over 2430 km were traveled on the South I with 145 harriers detected, yielding 1 harrier/16.8 km traveled, with no difference in number of harriers detected/km traveled between islands (P > 0.25). Three survey routes, 1 on southeastern North I and 2 on northeastern and east-central South I, were particularly productive yielding 1 harrier/7.1-11.1 km traveled. My results provide empirical support for the frequently cited description that the Australasian harrier is now New Zealand’s most abundant native diurnal raptor, and has largely benefited from the conversion of land from native forest and scrub to pasture at the likely expense of other native and endemic species. Eakle, W.L. 2008. Relative abundance of Australasian harriers (Circus approximans) in New Zealand. Notornis 55(3): 136-139. Keywords Australasian harrier; Circus approximans; abundance; road counts; New Zealand INTRODUCTION and South Is, while the endemic New Zealand The South Pacific islands of New Zealand, including falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) is described as the larger North and South Is, the Chatham Is, and uncommon and less widespread.
    [Show full text]
  • Malawi Trip Report 12Th to 28Th September 2014
    Malawi Trip Report 12th to 28th September 2014 Bohm’s Bee-eater by Keith Valentine Trip Report compiled by Tour Leader: Keith Valentine RBT Malawi Trip Report September 2014 2 Top 10 Birds: 1. Scarlet-tufted Sunbird 2. Pel’s Fishing Owl 3. Lesser Seedcracker 4. Thyolo Alethe 5. White-winged Apalis 6. Racket-tailed Roller 7. Blue Swallow 8. Bohm’s Flycatcher 9. Babbling Starling 10. Bohm’s Bee-eater/Yellow-throated Apalis Top 5 Mammals: 1. African Civet 2. Four-toed Elephant Shrew 3. Sable Antelope 4. Bush Pig 5. Side-striped Jackal/Greater Galago/Roan Antelope/Blotched Genet Trip Summary This was our first ever fully comprehensive tour to Malawi and was quite simply a fantastic experience in all respects. For starters, many of the accommodations are of excellent quality and are also situated in prime birding locations with a large number of the area’s major birding targets found in close proximity. The food is generally very good and the stores and lodges are for the most part stocked with decent beer and a fair selection of South African wine. However, it is the habitat diversity that is largely what makes Malawi so good from a birding point of view. Even though it is a small country, this good variety of habitat, and infrastructure that allows access to these key zones, insures that the list of specials is long and attractive. Our tour was extremely successful in locating the vast majority of the region’s most wanted birds and highlights included Red-winged Francolin, White-backed Night Heron, African Cuckoo-Hawk, Western Banded Snake
    [Show full text]
  • The Nest, Eggs, and Diet of the Papuan Harrier from Eastern New Guinea
    J. Raptor Res. 44(1):12–18 E 2010 The Raptor Research Foundation, Inc. THE NEST, EGGS, AND DIET OF THE PAPUAN HARRIER FROM EASTERN NEW GUINEA ROBERT E. SIMMONS1 DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa ABSTRACT.—The Papuan Harrier (Circus spilonotus spilothorax), currently classified as a subspecies of the Eastern Marsh-Harrier (C. spilonotus), is endemic to the island of New Guinea and may be in need of conservation attention because of threats from grassland burning. I here detail the discovery of the first known nests in lowland Papua New Guinea and provide egg dimensions and prey data. Both nests were initiated in early April, in damp rank grassland, and contained three small chicks in mid-May. The only egg measurements, combined with one previously published record, suggest large egg volume and concomitant large female body size (estimated to be ca. 890 g). At this size, this may be the world’s largest harrier. Fire destroyed both nests within 5 wk of their discovery. An atypically slow foraging style and a preponderance of game birds and large rats (Rattus spp.) in the pellets and prey remains are consistent with large body size. Further studies of the bird’s ecology and breeding are needed for a comprehensive understanding of its conservation status and threats to its population. KEY WORDS: Papuan Harrier; Circus spilonotus spilothorax; Eastern Marsh-Harrier; Circus spilonotus; body size; diet; egg size; foraging; Papua New Guinea. NIDO, HUEVOS Y DIETA DE CIRCUS SPILONOTUS SPILOTHORAX DEL ESTE DE NUEVA GUINEA RESUMEN.—Circus spilonotus spilothorax, actualmente clasificada como una subespecie de C.
    [Show full text]
  • Harrier References
    Introduction This is the final version of the Harrier's list, no further updates will be made. Grateful thanks to Wietze Janse and Tom Shevlin (www.irishbirds.ie) for the cover images and all those who responded with constructive feedback. All images © the photographers. Please note that this and other Reference Lists I have compiled are not exhaustive and are best employed in conjunction with other sources. Joe Hobbs Index The general order of species follows the International Ornithologists' Union World Bird List (Gill, F. & Donsker, D. (eds.) 2019. IOC World Bird List. Available from: https://www.worldbirdnames.org/ [version 9.1 accessed January 2019]). Final Version Version 1.4 (January 2019). Cover Main image: Western Marsh Harrier. Zevenhoven, Groene Jonker, Netherlands. 3rd May 2011. Picture by Wietze Janse. Vignette: Montagu’s Harrier. Great Saltee Island, Co. Wexford, Ireland. 10th May 2008. Picture by Tom Shevlin. Species Page No. African Marsh Harrier [Circus ranivorus] 8 Black Harrier [Circus maurus] 10 Cinereous Harrier [Circus cinereus] 17 Eastern Marsh Harrier [Circus spilonotus] 6 Hen Harrier [Circus cyaneus] 11 Long-winged Harrier [Circus buffoni] 9 Malagasy Harrier [Circus macrosceles] 9 Montagu's Harrier [Circus pygargus] 20 Northern Harrier [Circus hudsonius] 16 Pallid Harrier [Circus macrourus] 18 Papuan Harrier [Circus spilothorax] 7 Pied Harrier [Circus melanoleucos] 20 Réunion Harrier [Circus maillardi] 9 Spotted Harrier [Circus assimilis] 9 Swamp Harrier [Circus approximans] 7 Western Marsh Harrier [Circus aeruginosus] 4 1 Relevant Publications Balmer, D. et al. 2013. Bird Atlas 2001-11: The breeding and wintering birds of Britain and Ireland. BTO Books, Thetford. Beaman, M.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume 29 Number 1 April 2011
    BOOBOOK JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALASIAN RAPTOR ASSOCIATION Volume 29 Number 1 April 2011 ARA CONTACTS President: Victor Hurley 0427 238 898 [email protected] Secretary Nick Mooney 0427 826 922 [email protected] Treasurer VACANT Webmaster VACANT Editor, Boobook Dr Stephen Debus 02 6772 1710 (ah) [email protected] Boobook production Hugo Phillipps Area Representatives: ACT Mr Jerry Olsen [email protected] NSW Dr Rod Kavanagh [email protected] NT Mr Ray Chatto [email protected] Qld Mr Stacey McLean [email protected] SA Mr Ian Falkenberg [email protected] WA Mr Jonny Schoenjahn [email protected] Tas Mr Nick Mooney [email protected] Vic Mr David Whelan [email protected] New Zealand VACANT PNG/Indonesia Dr David Bishop [email protected] Other BOPWatch liaison Victor Hurley [email protected] Editor, Circus Victor Hurley Captive raptor advisor Michelle Manhal 0418 387 424 [email protected] Education advisor Greg Czechura 07 3840 7642 (bh) [email protected] Raptor management Nick Mooney 0427 826 922 [email protected] advisor Membership enquiries Membership Officer, Birds Australia, Suite 2-05, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, Vic. 3053 Ph. 1300 730 075, [email protected] Annual subscription $A30 single membership, $A35 family and $A45 for institutions, due on 1 January. Bankcard and MasterCard can be debited by prior arrangement. Website: www.birdsaustralia.com.au/ara The aims of the Association are the study, conservation and management of diurnal and nocturnal raptors of the Australasian Faunal Region.
    [Show full text]
  • Gender Determination in the Western Marsh Harrier (Circus Aeruginosus ) Using Morphometrics and Discriminant Analysis
    J. Raptor Res. 40(1):000–000 E 2006 The Raptor Research Foundation, Inc. GENDER DETERMINATION IN THE WESTERN MARSH HARRIER (CIRCUS AERUGINOSUS ) USING MORPHOMETRICS AND DISCRIMINANT ANALYSIS CHRISTIAN BAVOUX Le Marais aux Oiseaux, Les Grissotie`res, 17550 Dolus-d’Ole´ron, France GUY BURNELEAU 2, rue du Port de Chiffeu, Mauzac, 17320 Saint-Just-Luzac, France VINCENT BRETAGNOLLE1 Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chize´, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 79360 Beauvoir-sur-Niort, France ABSTRACT.—When adult, the gender of Western Marsh Harriers (Circus aeruginosus) are determined on the basis of the presence of gray feathers on the wing and on the tail in the males. However, males of this species in southwestern France have female-like plumages, lacking gray feathers, and thus, gender determination is impossible by using coloration alone. We investigated sex determination using biometric parameters in a study site located in southwestern France. From one to six measurements (body mass, bill length, wing chord length, tarsus length and width, and tail length) were taken from 243 marsh harriers of known gender (156 males and 87 females), marked in the study site, and subsequently re-sighted. Additionally, 30 marsh harriers specimens were measured by two observers to establish within and between observer repeatability values, as well as within bird repeatability for the six biometric parameters. Using quadratic Discriminant Analysis, we showed that it was possible to sex individuals of this species with .99% accuracy on the basis of only two parameters: bill length and body mass. Actually, using bill length alone provides very good indication of gender (accuracy .
    [Show full text]
  • Bontebok Birds
    Birds recorded in the Bontebok National Park 8 Little Grebe 446 European Roller 55 White-breasted Cormorant 451 African Hoopoe 58 Reed Cormorant 465 Acacia Pied Barbet 60 African Darter 469 Red-fronted Tinkerbird * 62 Grey Heron 474 Greater Honeyguide 63 Black-headed Heron 476 Lesser Honeyguide 65 Purple Heron 480 Ground Woodpecker 66 Great Egret 486 Cardinal Woodpecker 68 Yellow-billed Egret 488 Olive Woodpecker 71 Cattle Egret 494 Rufous-naped Lark * 81 Hamerkop 495 Cape Clapper Lark 83 White Stork n/a Agulhas Longbilled Lark 84 Black Stork 502 Karoo Lark 91 African Sacred Ibis 504 Red Lark * 94 Hadeda Ibis 506 Spike-heeled Lark 95 African Spoonbill 507 Red-capped Lark 102 Egyptian Goose 512 Thick-billed Lark 103 South African Shelduck 518 Barn Swallow 104 Yellow-billed Duck 520 White-throated Swallow 105 African Black Duck 523 Pearl-breasted Swallow 106 Cape Teal 526 Greater Striped Swallow 108 Red-billed Teal 529 Rock Martin 112 Cape Shoveler 530 Common House-Martin 113 Southern Pochard 533 Brown-throated Martin 116 Spur-winged Goose 534 Banded Martin 118 Secretarybird 536 Black Sawwing 122 Cape Vulture 541 Fork-tailed Drongo 126 Black (Yellow-billed) Kite 547 Cape Crow 127 Black-shouldered Kite 548 Pied Crow 131 Verreauxs' Eagle 550 White-necked Raven 136 Booted Eagle 551 Grey Tit 140 Martial Eagle 557 Cape Penduline-Tit 148 African Fish-Eagle 566 Cape Bulbul 149 Steppe Buzzard 572 Sombre Greenbul 152 Jackal Buzzard 577 Olive Thrush 155 Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk 582 Sentinel Rock-Thrush 158 Black Sparrowhawk 587 Capped Wheatear
    [Show full text]
  • Is the Black Harrier Circus Maurus a Specialist Predator? Assessing the Diet of 3 a Threatened Raptor Species Endemic to Southern Africa
    1 2 Is the Black Harrier Circus maurus a specialist predator? Assessing the diet of 3 a threatened raptor species endemic to Southern Africa 4 5 Marie-Sophie Garcia-Heras1, François Mougeot2, Beatriz Arroyo2, Graham Avery3,4 , 6 Margaret D. Avery3 & Robert E. Simmons1 7 8 1Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Private 9 Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa. 10 2Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de 11 Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain. 12 3Iziko South African Museum, P.O. Box 61, Cape Town 8000, South Africa. 13 4Archaeology Department, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, 14 South Africa 15 16 Correspondence: Marie-Sophie Garcia-Heras, Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST-NRF Centre of 17 Excellence, University of Cape Town, private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa. 18 Email: [email protected] 19 ORCID ID: orcid.org/0000-0002-3460-5484 20 21 22 23 Keywords: 24 Specialist predator, food requirements, small mammal, South Africa, Fynbos, Karoo 25 1 26 Abstract 27 Studying the diet of wild animals is central for understanding their flexibility in food requirements. 28 The Black Harrier Circus maurus is an endangered raptor in South Africa and Namibia. To date, 29 information about the diet of the species is insufficient for a comprehensive understanding of their 30 ecology. We studied the diet composition of breeding Black Harriers using ca. 1000 pellets (> 1700 31 identified prey) collected at nest sites in two geographical regions (coastal vs. interior-mountain) 32 over 10 breeding seasons (2006-2015).
    [Show full text]
  • Zambia and Namibia a Tropical Birding Custom Trip
    Zambia and Namibia A Tropical Birding Custom Trip October 31 to November 17, 2009 Guide: Ken Behrens All photos by Ken Behrens unless noted otherwise All Namibia and most Zambia photos taken during this trip INTRODUCTION Southern Africa offers a tremendous diversity of habitats, birds, and mammals, and this tour experienced nearly the full gamut: from the mushitus of northern Zambia, with their affinity to the great Congolese rainforests, to the bare dunes and gravel plains of the Namib desert. This was a custom tour with dual foci: a specific list of avian targets for Howard and good general mammal viewing for Diane. On both fronts, we were highly successful. We amassed a list of 479 birds, including a high proportion of Howard’s targets. Of course, this list could have been much higher, had the focus been general birding rather than target birding. ‘Mammaling’ was also fantastic, with 51 species seen. We enjoyed an incredible experience of one of the greatest gatherings of mammals on earth: a roost of straw-coloured fruit bats in Zambia that includes millions of individuals. In Namibia’s Etosha National Park, it was the end of the dry season, and any place with water had mammals in incredible concentrations. The undoubted highlight there was seeing lions 5 different times, including a pride with a freshly killed rhino and a female that chased and killed a southern oryx, then shared it with her pride. In Zambia, much of our birding was in miombo, a type of broadleaf woodland that occurs in a broad belt across south / central Africa, and that has a large set of specialty birds.
    [Show full text]