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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.

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


Authors

Christopher J. Swatridge

Ara Monadjem

David J. Steyn

Garth R. Batchelor

Ian C.W. Hardy



Abstract

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.

Citation

Swatridge, C. J., Monadjem, A., Steyn, D. J., Batchelor, G. R., & Hardy, I. C. (in press). 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), https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2014.896832

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 13, 2014
Online Publication Date May 15, 2014
Deposit Date Mar 23, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 23, 2017
Journal Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology
Print ISSN 0030-6525
Electronic ISSN 1727-947X
Publisher Taylor and Francis
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 85
Issue 1
DOI https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2014.896832
Keywords African Crowned Eagle, breeding success, diet, geographical variation, habitat fragmentation
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/728675
Publisher URL http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2989/00306525.2014.896832
Additional Information This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology on 15 May 2014, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.2989/00306525.2014.896832
Contract Date Mar 23, 2017

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