Home‐ranges and patterns of spatial use in territorial Bonelli’s Eagles Aquila fasciata

Abstract

Bonelli’s Eagle Aquila fasciata is one of the rarest birds of prey in Europe, where it has suffered a significant decline in recent decades. We present information on the home‐ranges and spatial parameters of 18 Bonelli’s Eagles radiotracked in 2002–2006 in Catalonia (northeast Spain) and describe the home‐range probability kernel, distances moved, breeding area eccentricity, territorial overlap, nearest neighbour distance and breeding site fidelity, and assess the influence of sex, breeding status, season and geographical area on these parameters. Median home‐range according to the minimum convex polygon (MCP) and 95% kernel were 50.3 and 36.1 km2, respectively. The median breeding area eccentricity was 1477 m. There was considerable overlap in the home‐range of both sexes within pairs (MCP: 71.4% and 95% kernel: 98.5%), indicating close pair bonding and similar foraging patterns. Overlap in home‐ranges of up to 15% between neighbouring individuals also occurred and was positively related to breeding pair density. There was no difference in spatial parameters between sexes or with breeding status, but during the non‐breeding season Eagles had larger home‐ranges and stayed further from nests. The high consistency across birds suggests a pattern of spatial use that is characteristic of this species. The high level of use of breeding areas and their surroundings (50% kernel) throughout the year makes it important that these areas be protected from human disturbance. Additionally, it is necessary that heavily used areas away from nesting sites, which are used for foraging and roosting, are identified, protected and managed in a sustainable fashion.