Factors Influencing Nest Site Selection, Breeding Density and Breeding Success in the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)

Abstract

We examined the nest site selection, breeding density and breeding success in the bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus in relation to physiography, climate, land-use and degree of human disturbance. The study area was in the Pyrenean Cordillera, Spain, where the largest European population of this species occurs. univariate analyses and Generalized Linear Models were employed. Models correctly classified the 78% of the cliffs analysed (occupied by bearded vultures, and selected at random). The probability of occupation of a cliff by bearded vultures was directly related to the ruggedness of the topography, altitude, distance to the nearest bearded vulture occupied nest, and distance to the nearest village