FOOD OF CROWNED EAGLES IN THE CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

Summary Jarvis, M. J. F., Currie, M. H. & Palmer, N. G. 1980. Food of Crowned Eagles in the Cape Province, South Africa. Ostrich 51:215-218. Bones were collected from 16 nests of Crowned Eagles Polemaetus coronatus and three of these nests were observed from hides. The bone remains give some idea of the spectrum of prey animals taken and reveal differences from nest to nest. A total of 598 distinct prey animals were identified. The Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis formed 42%, Blue Duiker Cephahphus monticola 16%, juvenile Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus 12% Vervet Monkeys Cercopithecus pygerytkrus 8% and juvenile bovids 6% Although 15 out of 16 nests showed Rock Hyrax remains, Blue Duiker were found at only 10 nests and juvenile Bushbuck at nine. Juvenile bovids were mainly domestic lambs and came from 10 nests, but never comprised more than 16% of the total prey animals at any one nest. Some farmers have found ways of stopping predation on lambs without having to destroy the eagles.