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.

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