Factors affecting diet, habitat selection and breeding success of the African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus in a fragmented landscape

This study aimed to identify variables that affect habitat selection and nesting success of the African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus, the largest forest raptor, in north-eastern South Africa. A preference for nesting in the Northern Mistbelt Forest vegetation type was established and 82% of...

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Main Authors: Swatridge, Christopher J., Monadjem, Ara, Steyn, David J., Batchelor, Garth R., Hardy, Ian C.W.
Format: Article
Published: Taylor & Francis 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/41507/
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author Swatridge, Christopher J.
Monadjem, Ara
Steyn, David J.
Batchelor, Garth R.
Hardy, Ian C.W.
author_facet Swatridge, Christopher J.
Monadjem, Ara
Steyn, David J.
Batchelor, Garth R.
Hardy, Ian C.W.
author_sort Swatridge, Christopher J.
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description This study aimed to identify variables that affect habitat selection and nesting success of the African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus, the largest forest raptor, in north-eastern South Africa. A preference for nesting in the Northern Mistbelt Forest vegetation type was established and 82% of all nests were located in indigenous trees. Nest abandonment was less common when distances to the nearest neighbour were greater. The diet of this species was investigated by examination of prey remains beneath nests and verified by comparison with museum specimens. In total, 156 remains were found, representing a minimum of 75 prey individuals. The diet of African Crowned Eagles constituted almost entirely mammals (99%), which were predominantly antelopes (61%) and monkeys (25%). It was also found that the proportion of primates in the diet correlates with latitude: populations in equatorial latitudes have a higher proportion of primates in their diets, whereas further south antelopes are a much more common diet component.
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spelling nottingham-415072020-05-04T16:47:58Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/41507/ Factors affecting diet, habitat selection and breeding success of the African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus in a fragmented landscape Swatridge, Christopher J. Monadjem, Ara Steyn, David J. Batchelor, Garth R. Hardy, Ian C.W. This study aimed to identify variables that affect habitat selection and nesting success of the African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus, the largest forest raptor, in north-eastern South Africa. A preference for nesting in the Northern Mistbelt Forest vegetation type was established and 82% of all nests were located in indigenous trees. Nest abandonment was less common when distances to the nearest neighbour were greater. The diet of this species was investigated by examination of prey remains beneath nests and verified by comparison with museum specimens. In total, 156 remains were found, representing a minimum of 75 prey individuals. The diet of African Crowned Eagles constituted almost entirely mammals (99%), which were predominantly antelopes (61%) and monkeys (25%). It was also found that the proportion of primates in the diet correlates with latitude: populations in equatorial latitudes have a higher proportion of primates in their diets, whereas further south antelopes are a much more common diet component. Taylor & Francis 2014-05-15 Article PeerReviewed Swatridge, Christopher J., Monadjem, Ara, Steyn, David J., Batchelor, Garth R. and Hardy, Ian C.W. (2014) Factors affecting diet, habitat selection and breeding success of the African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus in a fragmented landscape. Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology, 85 (1). pp. 47-55. ISSN 1727-947X African Crowned Eagle breeding success diet geographical variation habitat fragmentation http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2989/00306525.2014.896832 doi:10.2989/00306525.2014.896832 doi:10.2989/00306525.2014.896832
spellingShingle African Crowned Eagle
breeding success
diet
geographical variation
habitat fragmentation
Swatridge, Christopher J.
Monadjem, Ara
Steyn, David J.
Batchelor, Garth R.
Hardy, Ian C.W.
Factors affecting diet, habitat selection and breeding success of the African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus in a fragmented landscape
title Factors affecting diet, habitat selection and breeding success of the African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus in a fragmented landscape
title_full Factors affecting diet, habitat selection and breeding success of the African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus in a fragmented landscape
title_fullStr Factors affecting diet, habitat selection and breeding success of the African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus in a fragmented landscape
title_full_unstemmed Factors affecting diet, habitat selection and breeding success of the African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus in a fragmented landscape
title_short Factors affecting diet, habitat selection and breeding success of the African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus in a fragmented landscape
title_sort factors affecting diet, habitat selection and breeding success of the african crowned eagle stephanoaetus coronatus in a fragmented landscape
topic African Crowned Eagle
breeding success
diet
geographical variation
habitat fragmentation
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/41507/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/41507/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/41507/