Important Landscape Factor for the Breeding Territory Selection by Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila Pomarina)

Abstract

In Lithuania, only nest sites of Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) are protected, in spite of the fact that this species requires a large complex landscape for breeding. In addition, until now little attention has been paid to the research of this species habitat requirements at a landscape level, in contrast to the study of nest-site requirements at a stand level. In our research, 55 Lesser Spotted Eagle territories (2 km radius around the nest) were compared with 54 random territories. Lesser Spotted Eagle territories differed from random territories significantly in seven landscape variables of 19. Results suggest that Lesser Spotted Eagle habitat selection at a landscape level is related to a great amount of optimal feeding habitats and human avoidance. Therefore, with regard to species conservation not only nest sites, but also a broader landscape perspective should be taken into account.