DOCSLIB.ORG

THE GOLDEN EAGLE &Lpar;<I>AQUILA CHRYSAETOS</I

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

j RaptorRes. 33(2):102-109 ¸ 1999 The Raptor ResearchFoundation, Inc. THE GOLDENEAGLE (AQUILA CHRYSAETOS) IN THE BALl MOUNTAINS, ETHIOPIA MICHEL CLOUET 16 Avenue des Charmettes,31500 Toulouse,France CLAUDE BAm•u 58 Chemin des C6tes de Pech David, 31400 Toulouse,France JEAN-LouIsGOAR 11330 VillerougeTermeries, France ABSRACT.--Westudied Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos)in the afro-alpinearea (elevation3500-4000 m) of the Ball Mountains in Ethiopia. We monitored seventerritories from 1-5 successiveyears for a total of 26 territory-years.Home rangesvaried from only 1.5-9 km2, the smallestsize recorded for the species.This wasprobably due to the abundanceof prey, mainly haresand grassrats, that made up 50% and 30% of prey, respectively.Despite this, productivityof these Golden Eagleswas quite low averagingonly 0.28 youngper occupiedterritory (N = 25). This wasdue to a large number of unmated territorial adultsand poor breedingperformance by pairs (0.4 youngper pair per year,N = 17). The high densityand frequent interspecificinteractions with Verreaux'sEagles (Aquila ver•eauxii)were key factorsaffecting the dynamicsof this Golden Eagle population.The unusualcoexistence of thesetwo closelyrelated specieswas a novel componentof the rich predator guild in the area that includedfive other winteringor residenteagle species. This richnesswas related to the high densityof rodentsand lagomorphs,a characteristicof the Ethiopian afro-alpineecosystem. K•Y WOP,DS: GoldenEagle;, Aquila chrysaetos;Ver•eaux's Eagle;, afro-alpine habitats; Ethiopia; p• altondance, interspecificcompetition; p•vductivity. El aguila dorada (Aquila chrysaetos)en las montanasBall de Etiopia Po!sUmEN.--Estudiamosel •tguila dorada (Aquila chrysaetos)en el grea afro-alpina(elevacion 3500-4000 m) de las montafiasBall en Etiopia. Monitoreamossiete territorios de 1-5 arioscontinuos para un total de 26 territorios/afio.Los rangosde hogar variaronentre 1.5-9 km2. Los mas pequefiosreportados para la especie.Esto probablementedebido a la abundanciade presas,principalmente liebres y ratas de pastizales,las cualesrepresentan el 50% y el 30% de las presasrespectivamente. A pesarde estola productividadde las gguilasfue muy baja con un promediode 0.28juveniles por territorio ocupado(N = 25). Esto se debi6 al gran n6mero de adultosterritoriales sin parejay al pobre desempefioreprod- uctivo de las parejas (0.4 juvenilespor pareja por afio, N = 17). La alta densidady las frecuentes interaccionesintraespecificas con las •guilas Verreaux (Aquila verreauxii)fueron factoresque afectaron la dingmicade estapoblaci6n de gguilasdoradas. La inusualcoexistencia de estasdos especiesestre- chamente relacionadases un componente novedosode la estructurade depredadoresen el grea que incluyeotras cinco especies migratorias o residentesde gguilas.Esta riqueza estuvo relacionada con la alta densidadde roedoresy lagomorfos,una caracteristicadel ecosistemaafro-alpino Etiope. [Traducci6nde C6sarMJxquez] The recent discoveryof a Golden Eagle (Aquila alpine region which supportsthe largestmountain chrysaetos)population in Ethiopia (Clouet and Bar- moorland and grasslandhabitat on the continent. rau 1993) has provided a unique opportunity to This rich and unique ecosystem(Dorst and Roux study this speciesin a new biogeographicalarea. 1972, Hillman 1986) supportsan aviancommunity The population occursin the Ba16Mountains lo- dominated by a predator-scavengerguild (Clouet cated in the southern part of the Ethiopian high et al. 1995). The Golden Eagle is part of a unique plateau, eastof the Rift Valley.It occursat the afro- assemblageof eagle speciesand coexistswith the 102 JUNE 1999 GOLDENE^GLE •N ETHIOPIA 103 '-.-:- . -;' " n in Figure 1. Location of the Bal• Mountain study area in Ethiopia. Verreaux's Eagle (Aquila verreauxiO.To our knowl- -.::•'::"' -:;..•.,,.. .... edge, this assemblagethat includes the southern- r-• Valleyfloor • Cliff ,-• Plateau most extent of the Golden Eagle has never before Figure 2. Distributionof Golden and ¾½rrcaux'sEaõl½s been studied. in the 200-km2 studyarea in the Bal• MountainsNational Park, Ethiopia, 1993-97. STUDY AREA AND METHODS The study area was in Bala Mountains National Park in the upper Web River Valley and a portion of its trib- utaries above tree line (3500-4000 m) (Fig. 1). The area not breeding or when it was occupiedby an un- consistsof a continuousnetwork of cliffsstretching from paired bird, we used the arithmetic center of the the north bank of the Web River to the top of the Massif (Sanetti plateau). The afro-alpine habitat has a tropical known unoccupiednests in the territory. The av- climate tempered by the altitude and characterizedby an erage distancebetween centers was 4.7 km (range alternating wet season that lasts from March-October = 2.5-7 km) (Fig. 2). Individual territories were and a dry seasonthat lastsfrom November-February. monitored for 1-5 yr totaling 26 territory-years We searchedfor breedingraptors in a 200 km2 area of (Table 1). Single adultswere observedin three out potential nesting and hunting habitat over the course of sevenexpeditions covering five successivebreeding sea- of the sevenmonitored territories and during 4 of sons: August 1993, May 1994, March-November 1995, the 5 yr of the study (i.e., seven (27%) of the 26 March 1996, and February-August 1997. One to three territory-years).Nonterritorial singlebirds were re- observerswalked transectsthrough Golden Eagle terri- corded only twice (1 adult and 1 immature eagle). tories.Observations were made continuouslyfor periods of 2-11 hr, recording the activitiesof the eaglesand any Topographically, the territories included a sec- interspecificbehavior involving other raptorsspecies. All tion of cliff where perches and nestswere located eagle flights were plotted on a map to calculate their and a part of the neighboringplateau. The slope distances and areas covered. The total observation time located at the foot of the cliff was comprisedof for the seven expeditionswas 210 h. scree,grassland, and bushes,and it provided a va- We estimateddiet by observingkills and collectingprey itemsin nestsduring the fledgingperiod. Diet diversitywas riety of potential prey including hyraxes (Procavia calculatedusing a Shannon Index (Delibes et al. 1975, capensis),hares ( LepusstrarkO, and francolins (Fran- Clouet 1981, Fernfindez1991). Productivity(number of colinusspp.). In the valley bottom, there were also young per occupiedterritory) was calculated by observing coloniesof mole rats (Tachyoryctesmacrocephalus) youngin neststhat were older than 51 d of age (Steenhof 1987) (exceptin one casewhen a nestlingwas only about and grass rats (Arvicanthisspp. and Lophuromys 35-d old) or in flight with adultsduring the postfledging spp.). stage(August 1993, May 1994,and August1997). We observednine successfulkills by Golden Ea- gles.All were made either on low altitude flights RESULTS by eaglesclose to the slopesat the foot of cliffs We identified seventerritories occupied by Gold- (once) or within 200-2000 m of perches (eight en Eagles. We assumedthat territories were cen- times). Golden Eagleswere alsoseen robbing prey tered on the occupied nest or, when the pair was from an Augur Buzzard (Buteoaugur), Pallid Har- 104 CLOUET ET AL. VOL. 33, No. 2 Table 1. Territory occupancyand productivityof Golden Eaglesin the Ba16Mountains National Park, 1993-97. TERRITORY YEAR 1 2 3 4 1993 Single adult Adult pair Single adult -- (6-13 August) 1 young flying 1994 Adult pair Adult pair Single adult (5-17 May) Adult pair 1995 Singleadult 1 young flying Adult pair Singleadult (21 March-5 April) Adult pair 1996 Single adult Adult pair Adult pair Single adult (4-15 March) 1997 Adult pair Adult pair Adult pair Adult pair (3-12 February) 1 5-wk-oldyoung (9-18 August) rier (Circus macrourus), Lanner Falcon (Falco biar- Other breeding raptors were observed in every m•cus),and Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis). Golden Eagle territory we observed,including one Undulating displayflights and attackson intrud- or two pairs of Augur Buzzards,one pair of Lanner ers of other raptor specieswere performed by both Falcons and one pair of Common Kestrels (E tin- paired or unpaired Golden Eagles,both near and nunculus).Frequent mobbing behavior of these <1 km from perches, cliffs and nests.In the case raptors triggered attacks by eagles. We observed of one unpaired territorial adult, undulating Tawny Eagles (A. rapax) which were residents flights accountedfor up to 51% of the total flying throughout the year and Greater Spotted Eagles time (115 min) in November at the beginning of (A. clanga), Lesser Spotted Eagles (A. pomarina), the breeding seasonsuggesting that the function and Steppe Eagles which were either migrating of this flight was to displayits territory. through or spent the winter in the area flying over The mean area of the home ranges, estimated Golden Eagle hunting areas. The latter were very from observationsof hunting foraysand territorial numerous and on several occasionsapproximately flights, such as undulating displaysand attackson 30 were recorded simultaneouslyin flight in Feb- intruders, was 3.6 km2 (range = 1.5-9 km2, N = ruary. Steppe Eagleswere observedattacking Gold- 7). Home rangeswere smallerfor singleadults (1- en Eagles on their prey (3 cases). Golden Eagles 1.5 kma, N = 2) and appeared to be larger where were also seen chasing off intruding Tawny and there was no rodent colony or where scrub (Erica Steppe Eagles (3 cases). spp.) wasextensive (estimated to be about9 kma). The survey area contained seven territories
Recommended publications
  • Spatial Relationships of Nesting Golden Eagles in Central Utah

    Spatial Relationships of Nesting Golden Eagles in Central Utah

    White, C. M. 1974. The 1974 raptor surveyof the AlaskaPipeline between Franklin Bluffsand Big Delta. Unpubl.interim rep. to U.S.Fish and Wildl. Serv.,Anchorage, AK. 10 pp. White, C. M., T. D. Ray,and L. W. Sowl.1977. The 1970-1972-1974raptor surveys alongthe Trans-AlaskaOil Pipeline.pp. 199-221.In.' Chancellor,R.D. (ed.).World Conferenceon Birdsof Prey, Reportof the Proceedings.International Council for BirdPreservation. 440 pp. + appendices. SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS OF NESTING GOLDEN EAGLES IN CENTRAL UTAH by DwightG. Smith• BiologyDepartment SouthernConnecticut State University New Haven, Connecticut 06515 and JosephR. Murphy Departmentof Zoology BrighamYoung University Provo, Utah 84602 Abstract We examinedthe distributionof GoldenEagle (Aquila chrysaetos)nest sites in the easternGreat Basinusing the Clark-Evansnearest-neighbor method of analysis.Distri- butionvalues indicated. uniform spacing of nestsites within the hills and ridges,which providedall of the potentialnesting sites in the studyarea. Analysis of GoldenEagle nestsite distributionwith three other large raptorssuggested a tendencytoward uni- form spacingbetween diurnal raptor speciesand aggregationwith the Great Horned Owl (Bubovirginianus). Introduction Odum(1971) suggested that populationsexhibit one of threedistribution patterns: (1) random,where habitat is homogenousand individualsdo not normallyinteract; (2) uni- form,where habitat is homogenousand individualscompete for one or moreresources; (3) aggregated,that mayresult from either heterogenous habitat or a tendencyto aggre- gatesocially. Newton (1979) noted that manyspecies exhibit uniform distribution of ter- ritoriesand nest sites except where available sites are limitedand concentrated,such as in the SnakeRiver Birds of PreyNatural Area. Our observationsof GoldenEagles in the easternGreat BasinDesert revealed a concentrationof nestsites in high, north-south orientedridges and hills but nonein interveningbroad, flat valleys.Herein we examine thisdistribution using the Clark-Evansnearest-neighbor model (1954).
  • Disaggregation of Bird Families Listed on Cms Appendix Ii

    Disaggregation of Bird Families Listed on Cms Appendix Ii

    Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals 2nd Meeting of the Sessional Committee of the CMS Scientific Council (ScC-SC2) Bonn, Germany, 10 – 14 July 2017 UNEP/CMS/ScC-SC2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II (Prepared by the Appointed Councillors for Birds) Summary: The first meeting of the Sessional Committee of the Scientific Council identified the adoption of a new standard reference for avian taxonomy as an opportunity to disaggregate the higher-level taxa listed on Appendix II and to identify those that are considered to be migratory species and that have an unfavourable conservation status. The current paper presents an initial analysis of the higher-level disaggregation using the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World Volumes 1 and 2 taxonomy, and identifies the challenges in completing the analysis to identify all of the migratory species and the corresponding Range States. The document has been prepared by the COP Appointed Scientific Councilors for Birds. This is a supplementary paper to COP document UNEP/CMS/COP12/Doc.25.3 on Taxonomy and Nomenclature UNEP/CMS/ScC-Sc2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II 1. Through Resolution 11.19, the Conference of Parties adopted as the standard reference for bird taxonomy and nomenclature for Non-Passerine species the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World, Volume 1: Non-Passerines, by Josep del Hoyo and Nigel J. Collar (2014); 2.
  • Population Structure and Annual Migration Pattern of Steppe Eagles

    Population Structure and Annual Migration Pattern of Steppe Eagles

    Population Structure and Annual Migration Pattern of Steppe Eagles at Thoolakharka Watch Site, Nepal, 2012–2014 Author(s): Tulsi Ram Subedi, Robert DeCandido, Hem Sagar Baral, Surya Gurung, Sandesh Gurung, Chong Leong Puan and Shahrul Anuar Mohd Sah Source: Journal of Raptor Research, 51(2):165-171. Published By: The Raptor Research Foundation https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-16-70.1 URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.3356/JRR-16-70.1 BioOne (www.bioone.org) is a nonprofit, online aggregation of core research in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences. BioOne provides a sustainable online platform for over 170 journals and books published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses. Your use of this PDF, the BioOne Web site, and all posted and associated content indicates your acceptance of BioOne’s Terms of Use, available at www.bioone.org/ page/terms_of_use. Usage of BioOne content is strictly limited to personal, educational, and non- commercial use. Commercial inquiries or rights and permissions requests should be directed to the individual publisher as copyright holder. BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research. SHORT COMMUNICATIONS J. Raptor Res. 51(2):165–171 Ó 2017 The Raptor Research Foundation, Inc. POPULATION STRUCTURE AND ANNUAL MIGRATION PATTERN OF STEPPE EAGLES AT THOOLAKHARKA WATCH SITE, NEPAL, 2012–2014 1 TULSI RAM SUBEDI Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia and Nepalese Ornithological Union (NOU), P.O.
  • A Multi-Gene Phylogeny of Aquiline Eagles (Aves: Accipitriformes) Reveals Extensive Paraphyly at the Genus Level

    A Multi-Gene Phylogeny of Aquiline Eagles (Aves: Accipitriformes) Reveals Extensive Paraphyly at the Genus Level

    Available online at www.sciencedirect.com MOLECULAR SCIENCE•NCE /W\/Q^DIRI DIRECT® PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION ELSEVIER Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 35 (2005) 147-164 www.elsevier.com/locate/ympev A multi-gene phylogeny of aquiline eagles (Aves: Accipitriformes) reveals extensive paraphyly at the genus level Andreas J. Helbig'^*, Annett Kocum'^, Ingrid Seibold^, Michael J. Braun^ '^ Institute of Zoology, University of Greifswald, Vogelwarte Hiddensee, D-18565 Kloster, Germany Department of Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 4210 Silver Hill Rd., Suitland, MD 20746, USA Received 19 March 2004; revised 21 September 2004 Available online 24 December 2004 Abstract The phylogeny of the tribe Aquilini (eagles with fully feathered tarsi) was investigated using 4.2 kb of DNA sequence of one mito- chondrial (cyt b) and three nuclear loci (RAG-1 coding region, LDH intron 3, and adenylate-kinase intron 5). Phylogenetic signal was highly congruent and complementary between mtDNA and nuclear genes. In addition to single-nucleotide variation, shared deletions in nuclear introns supported one basal and two peripheral clades within the Aquilini. Monophyly of the Aquilini relative to other birds of prey was confirmed. However, all polytypic genera within the tribe, Spizaetus, Aquila, Hieraaetus, turned out to be non-monophyletic. Old World Spizaetus and Stephanoaetus together appear to be the sister group of the rest of the Aquilini. Spiza- stur melanoleucus and Oroaetus isidori axe nested among the New World Spizaetus species and should be merged with that genus. The Old World 'Spizaetus' species should be assigned to the genus Nisaetus (Hodgson, 1836). The sister species of the two spotted eagles (Aquila clanga and Aquila pomarina) is the African Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis).
  • Reproduction and Behaviour of the Long-Legged Buzzard (.Buteo Rufinus) in North-Eastern Greece

    Reproduction and Behaviour of the Long-Legged Buzzard (.Buteo Rufinus) in North-Eastern Greece

    © Deutschen Ornithologen-Gesellschaft und Partner; download www.do-g.de; www.zobodat.at Die Vogelwarte 39, 1998: 176-182 Reproduction and behaviour of the Long-legged Buzzard (.Buteo rufinus) in North-eastern Greece By Haralambos Alivizatos, Vassilis Goutner and Michael G. Karandinos Abstract: Alivizatos , H., V. Goutner & M. G. Karandinos (1998): Reproduction and behaviour of the Long- legged Buzzard ( Buteo rufinus) in North-eastern Greece. Vogelwarte 39: 176-182. The breeding biology of the Long-legged Buzzard ( Buteo rufinus) was studied in the Evros area, north-eastern Greece in 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1993. The mean number of young fledged per pair per year was similar between years with an overall average of 0.93 (1.58 per successful pair). Of ten home range variables examined, the num­ ber of alternative nest sites and the extent of forest free areas in home ranges were significant predictors of nest­ ling productivity. Aggressive interactions were observed with 18 bird species (of which 12 were raptors), most commonly with the Buzzard {Buteo buteo). Such interactions declined during the course of the season. Prey pro­ visioning to nestlings was greatest in the morning and late in the afternoon declining in the intermediate period. Key words: Buteo rufinus, reproduction, behaviour, Greece. Addresses: Zaliki 4, GR-115 24 Athens, Greece (H. A.); Department of Zoology, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, GR-54006, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece (V. G.); Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens 75 Iera Odos 1 1855 Athens, Greece (M. G. K.). 1. Introduction The Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) is a little known raptor of Europe.
  • Effect of Environmental Elements on Migration Pattern of Eagles at Jorbeer Conservation Reserve, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

    Effect of Environmental Elements on Migration Pattern of Eagles at Jorbeer Conservation Reserve, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

    Kataria et al RJLBPCS 2016 www.rjlbpcs.com Life Science Informatics Publications Original Research Article DOI - 10.26479/2016.0203.08 EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS ON MIGRATION PATTERN OF EAGLES AT JORBEER CONSERVATION RESERVE, BIKANER, RAJASTHAN, INDIA A.K. Kataria1*, N.Kataria2 and R.N.Kumawat3 1.Principal Investigator, Centre for excellence for use of space based technology in animal science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner-334001, Rajasthan, India. 2.Professor & Head, Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner-334001, Rajasthan, India. 3. Deputy Forest Officer (Wildlife), Bikaner, Rajasthan ABSTRACT: The present endeavor was carried out to find out the effect of environmental elements on migration pattern of eagles at Jorbeer Conservation Reserve, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India (JCRBRI) during period from April 2015 to July 2016. The eagles studied were steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis) and greater spotted eagle (Clanga clanga). The greater spotted eagle was seen only from November to February reiterating their winter migration to this reserve. Steppe eagle stayed at reserve during various months of the study year 2015 and 2016 when the THI values varied as 56.64-79.5. Recording of count of steppe eagle and greater spotted eagle besides real-time observation of environmental temperature and humidity signified in monitoring of eagle residence in the region. Result of the endeavor assisted in comprehending the absence of eagles in summer months during study periods. Residential period of steppe eagle was from November to April and of greater spotted eagle was from November to February only.
  • Status of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila Heliaca) in the European Part of Turkey

    Status of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila Heliaca) in the European Part of Turkey

    ACTA ZOOLOGICA BULGARICA Acta zool. bulg., Suppl. 3, 2011: 87-93 Status of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) in the European part of Turkey Dimitar A. Demerdzhiev1, Stoycho A. Stoychev2, Nikolay G. Terziev2, and Ivaylo D. Angelov2 1 31 Bulgaria Blv�., 4230 Asenovgra�, Bulgaria; E�mails: �emer�jiev@yahoo.�om; �_�emer�[email protected]; w��.bspb.org 2 Haskovo 6300, P.O.Box 130, Bulgaria; E�mails: stoy�hev.s@gmail.�om; w��.bspb.org; [email protected]; ivailoange� [email protected]; w��.bspb.org Abstract: This arti�le presents the results of the �rst more �etaile� stu�ying on the �istribution an� numbers of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Аquila heliaca SA V I G NY 1809) population in the European part of Turkey. T�enty territories o��upie� by Imperial Eagle pairs, �istribute� in three �ifferent regions �ere �is�overe� �uring the perio� 2008�2009. The bree�ing population was estimate� at 30�50 pairs. The stu�y i�enti�e� t�o main habitat types typi�al of the Imperial Eagles in European Turkey – open hilly areas an� lo� mountain areas (up to 450 m a.s.l.) an� lo� relief plain areas (50�150 m a.s.l.). Poplar trees (Populus sp. L) were i�enti�e� as the most preferre� nesting substratum (44%), follo�e� by Oaks (Quercus sp. L) (40%). Bree�ing �ensity �as 1 pair/100 km2 in both habitat types. The shortest �istan�e bet�een t�o bree�ing pairs �as 5.8 km re�or�e� in plain areas in the Thra�e region.
  • Eastern Steppe of Mongolia 2 BEST of the WILD: Wildlife Conservation Society and the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia

    Eastern Steppe of Mongolia 2 BEST of the WILD: Wildlife Conservation Society and the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia

    BEST OF THE WILD: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY and the EASTERN STEPPE of MONGOLIA 2 BEST OF THE WILD: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY and the EASTERN STEPPE of MONGOLIA PHOTO CREDITS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) COVER: K. OLSON; INSIDE COVER: WCS; PAGE 2: ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS; PAGE 3: G. SCHALLER; MAP: O. LKHAMJAV & R. ROSE; PAGE 5: A. WINTERS (TOP); K. OLSON (2); PAGE 7: D. TUVSHINJARGAL (TOP), ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS (2); PAGE 9: A. WINTERS; ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS; A. WINTERS; T. MUELLER; PAGE 10: A. WINTERS; PAGE 11: A. FINE (TOP), A. WINTERS (2); PAGE 13: K. OLSON; A. WINTERS. WCS AND THE EASTERN STEPPE OF MONGOLIA With its vast open plains, rolling hills and pristine wetlands, Mongolia’s Eastern Steppe is one of Asia’s last grassland wildernesses. Great migratory herds of Mongolian gazelle roam here with grey wolves, Siberian marmots, eastern moose, red deer, roe deer, corsac foxes, Pallas’ cats, and Daurian hedgehogs, alongside six of the world’s 13 crane species, and nesting popu- lations of golden eagle, steppe eagle, saker falcon, Amur falcon, red-footed falcon, lesser kestrel, and black vulture. Globally important populations of whooper swan and swan goose grace its clear lakes, while six-foot taimen—a trout called “river wolf” by local people—swim its rivers. At 110,425 square miles—more than twice the size of New York State —most of the land on the Eastern Steppe is government-owned pasture used by the 200,000 nomadic Cover: A male gazelle poised herders living in small communities dotted across the landscape.
  • Extreme Variation in the Tails of Adult Harlan’S Hawks

    Extreme Variation in the Tails of Adult Harlan’S Hawks

    EXTREME VARIATION IN THE TAILS OF ADULT HARLAN’S HAWKS William S. (Bill) Clark Some adult Harlan’s Hawks have tails somewhat similar to this one Bob Dittrick But many others have very different tails, both in color and in markings Harlan’s Hawk type specimen. Audubon collected this adult in 1830 in Louisiana (USA) and described it as Harlan’s Buzzard or Black Warrier - Buteo harlani It is a dark morph, the common morph for this taxon. British Museum of Natural History, Tring Harlan’s Hawk Range They breed in Alaska, Yukon, & ne British Columbia & winter over much of North America. It occurs in two color morphs, dark and light. The AOS considers Harlan’s Hawk a subspecies of Red- tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis harlani, but my paper in Zootaxa advocates it as a species. Clark (2018) Taxonomic status of Harlan’s Hawk Buteo jamaicensis harlani (Aves: Accipitriformes) Zootaxa concludes: “It [Harlan’s Hawk] should be considered a full species based on lack of justification for considering it a subspecies, and the many differences between it and B. jamaicensis, which are greater than differences between any two subspecies of diurnal raptor.” Harlan’s Hawk is a species: 1. Lack of taxonomic justification for inclusion with Buteo jamaicensis. 2. Differs from Buteo jamaicensis by: * Frequency of color morphs; * Adult plumages by color morph, especially in tail pattern and color; * Neotony: Harlan’s adult & juvenile body plumages are almost alike; whereas those of Red-tails differ. * Extent of bare area on the tarsus. * Some behaviors. TYPE SPECIMEN - Upper tail is medium gray, with a hint of rufous and some speckling, wavy banding on one feather, & wide irregular subterminal band.
  • A Comparative Study of the Breeding Behaviour of the Augur Buzzard, Buteo Augur, in Two Different Land-Use Areas in Southern Lake Naivasha, Kenya

    A Comparative Study of the Breeding Behaviour of the Augur Buzzard, Buteo Augur, in Two Different Land-Use Areas in Southern Lake Naivasha, Kenya

    Ostrich 2004, 75(1&2): 11–19 Copyright © Birdlife South Africa Printed in South Africa — All rights reserved OSTRICH ISSN 0030–6525 A comparative study of the breeding behaviour of the Augur Buzzard, Buteo augur, in two different land-use areas in southern Lake Naivasha, Kenya Munir Z Virani1,2,3* and David M Harper2 1 The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise Idaho 83709 United States of America 2 Department of Biology, Leicester University LE1 7RH, United Kingdom 3 Department of Ornithology, National Museums of Kenya, PO Box 40658 Nairobi, Kenya * Corresponding author, e-mail: [email protected] A comparative study of the breeding behaviour of the Augur Buzzard Buteo augur was made in two contrasting areas on the southern side of Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Hell’s Gate National Park represented a natural site, and the lake environs an agri- cultural site. Locations of adult birds and their activity time budget during the breeding cycle were studied from April to October 1995. Factors influencing prey delivery and nestling feeding rates, and intra/inter-specific interactions were given special attention. Augur Buzzard pairs in the lake environs spent more time caring for chicks than their counterparts in Hell’s Gate. This was apparent in the increased maternal care and paternal foraging which resulted in larger broods and more prey deliv- eries to nests respectively. Prey and biomass delivery rates to nests showed an increasing trend as the nestling period pro- gressed. This was significant in the lake environs where brood sizes were larger than in Hell’s Gate.
  • The Occurrence and Reestablishment of White-Tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle As Breeding Birds in Denmark

    The Occurrence and Reestablishment of White-Tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle As Breeding Birds in Denmark

    The occurrence and reestablishment of White-tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle as breeding birds in Denmark Erik EhmsEn, LEnnart PEdErsEn, hans meltoftE, tschErning cLausEn & timmE nyEgaard (Med et dansk resumé: Forekomst og genetablering af Havørn og Kongeørn som danske ynglefugle) Abstract Except for a number of largely unsuccessful breeding attempts during the second half of the 20th century, the White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla had been absent as a breeding bird in Denmark for more than 80 years, when a popu- lation established itself during the second half of the 1990s. Released from persecution and contaminants the population has grown to 37 pairs in just 16 years. Reproductive success has grown with age and experience of the birds, so that the average number of fledged young per breeding pair peaked with almost two per pair 8-10 years after the establishment of each breeding pair. Similarly, the Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos reestablished a small population in Denmark from 1999 onwards after probably having bred here until about 150 years ago. For both species, this success was facilitated by conservation efforts including protection zones around eagle nests, monitoring and public outreach mainly carried out by volunteers from the Danish Ornithological Society / BirdLife Denmark. Introduction in former times, while the White-tailed Eagle bred in The reestablishment of White-tailed Eagle Haliaee- Denmark until it was driven extinct by persecution tus albicilla and Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos as in 1912 (Løppenthin 1967). The latter species made breeding birds in Denmark in the 1990s is one of a number of – usually unsuccessful – breeding at- the greatest achievements in modern Danish bird tempts during the second half of the 20th century, and nature conservation.
  • Possible DRAFT Rule Language to Cover Taking Young

    Possible DRAFT Rule Language to Cover Taking Young

    Attachment 3 DIVISION 55 FALCONRY LICENSES, PERMITS AND REQUIREMENTS 635-055-0000 Definition of Terms For the purpose of these rules, the following definitions apply: (1) "Captive bred" means any raptor, including eggs, hatched in captivity resulting from parents that mated in captivity, or are the progeny of artificial insemination. (2) "Falconry" is caring for and training raptors for pursuit of game, and the sport of hunting wild game with raptors. (3) “Indigenous raptor”, for purposes of falconry, means golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), sharp-shinned hawk (Accipter striatus), Cooper’s hawk (Accipter cooperii), northern goshawk (Accipter gentilis), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), American kestrel (Falco sparverius), merlin (Falco columbarius), prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus, and great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), (4) “Management or operational activities” means activities on nest-site structures (bridges or buildings) that are operational or maintenance actions to the structure deemed necessary by the structure owners or managers. These activities do not include nest entries for the purposes of banding birds for scientific purposes. (4) (5) “Passage” means first year migrant raptors capable of flight. (5) (6) “Post-fledgling” means a young first-year bird capable of flight which has recently flown from its nest. (6)(7) "Raptor" means any species or hybrid of the families Strigidae, Falconidae and Accipitridae. (7)(8) “Raptors at hack” means the intentional release of a raptor as a training technique, with the expectation of recapture after a period of time. (8)(9) "Take", for the purposes of these rules, means to trap, capture, or attempt to trap or capture a raptor from the wild for the purpose of falconry.