Patterns of nest placement of lappet faced vulture (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Torgos tracheliotos&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) in Lochinvar National Park, Kafue Flats, Zambia

Chansa Chomba,Vincent Nyirenda,Eneya M’Simuko

doi:10.4236/oje.2013.36049

Abstract

This study assessed the nesting patterns oflappet faced vulture inLochinvar National Park, on the Kafue flats,Zambia. Road drives and foot patrols were used to identify and take GPS coordinates of lappet faced vulture nests. The main objectives of the study were: 1) to obtain basic breeding information of lappet-faced vulture in Lochinvar National Park and the Kafue Flats in general, 2) to determine size of the breeding population in the National Park, 3) todocument distribution of the nesting sites, 4) tofacilitate development of a monitoring programme that would secure the nesting sites from human disturbance, and 5) to determine availability of suitable nesting sites and major threats that may interfere with breeding. Tree species on which nests were found were identified and height of nest above ground was estimated. A total of 22 nests were recorded with 5 (23%) being lappet faced vulture nests on seven species of trees. The mean height for nest placamenet was10 mabove ground. Host tree physiognomy, size and height were important characteristics in nest placement. Large trees of 10mand above are critical in facilitating nest placement and must be protected in identified breeding sites.

Highlights

Vultures are very special type of raptors
The survey was undertaken in Lochinvar National Park (Figures 3(a) and (b)), mainly in the termitaria and floodplain area in the month of September 2011-2012 following the same methods used by Tokura Wataru [10]
Of the 22 nests seen, lappet faced vultures were only physically seen in five (23%) which were confirmed as their nests (Figures 4(a)-(e))

Summary

Introduction

Vultures are very special type of raptors They locate carcasses by scanning the ground while soaring high in the air [1]. While they soar, they observe each other, so that when one identifies a carcass and descends, others would follow. The lappet-faced vulture is the largest of the three dark vulture species, the other two being hooded (Necrosyrtes monachus) and white headed (Aegypius occipitalis) (Figure 1). It ranks as the longest and largest winged vulture in its range behind the closely related cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) [1], some co-occurring Gyps vultures tend to be heavier on average, especially the cape vulture (Gyps coprotheres) and Eurasian griffon (Gyps fulvus). Its heavy yellowish hooked bill and bare red head with its consipicuous skin folds are a major diagnostic feature among other raptors (Figure 2)

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Conclusion