Age of maturity and exceptionally distant natal dispersal of over 500 km by a male lesser spotted eagle Clanga pomarina

Abstract

Abstract According to previous studies using colour rings, lesser spotted eagles Clanga pomarina have established breeding territories up to 249 km from their natal site. A colour-ringed lesser spotted eagle nestling from NE Poland settled 540 km further west in NE Germany. This male was discovered at the age of six and nested there for several years. This finding is all the more remarkable because the bird was a male, which in large eagles typically settle nearer to their natal sites than females. They apparently reproduce successfully for the first time later than females, normally at the age of five.