Greater Spotted Eagle Research Articles

Diversity and Abundance of Wetland Birds in Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary, Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu, India

Wetland birds are integral components of wetland ecosystems, providing ecological, economic, cultural, and regulatory benefits. The study conducted from 2021 to 2024 in the Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary of Tiruvarur district aimed to assess year-wise species diversity, richness, relative diversity, evenness, density, and relative abundance of wetland birds employing the total count method to estimate the population of wetland birds. A total of 104 bird species belonging 18 orders and 49 families were recorded. During this study, 17 species were migrant, while the remaining 87 birds were resident. Three bird species were classified as Near Threatened, including the Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanosephalus), and Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster). Additionally, two bird species were classified as Vulnerable, namely the Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga) and River Tern (Sterna hirundo), while 99 bird species were classified as Least Concern. Regarding species diversity in the Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary during different years, the highest species diversity was recorded in 2021 (2.75), while the lowest species diversity was observed in 2024 (1.64). In terms of species richness, the maximum richness was observed in 2023 (68), whereas the minimum species richness was recorded in 2022 (29).

Встречи крупных хищных птиц в Новосибирской области, Россия

Встречи крупных хищных птиц в Новосибирской области, Россия

Современные данные о змееяде в Нижегородской области

The article presents current results of a study of Short-Toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) distribution, abundance, and ecology in Nizhny Novgorod region. We designed a network of auto routes to survey the area and subsequently covered it in a four-wheel drive vehicle combined with walking through upland bogs and forest margins by foot. Observations were carried out in 30 districts of the region. Hunting Short-Toed Eagles were observed from natural hills through binoculars. Nests were detected based on adult birds’ observations and analysis of satellite images of the surveyed areas. Photo and video recording of birds and nests was carried out using a SLR camera and a quadcopter. In 2015–2023 observations were carried out on 49 breeding territories. A combination of various swamps, burnt areas, and clearings (n=19; 39%) and typical upland bogs associated with pine forests (n=16; 33%) are optimal biotopes for Short-Toed Eagle. However, Short-Toed Eagle occupies both floodplain meadows (n=7; 14%) and fallow lands (n=5; 10%) in the Nizhny Novgorod region, provided that these biotopes are combined with pine forests. Breading territories are least likely to be located in depleted peat quarries (n=2; 4%). Due to peculiarities of the species ecology (vast breeding territories and nests that are difficult to detect), not a single nest was found in the region until 2016. Currently Short-Toed Eagle breeding has been reliably confirmed on eight breeding territories. We found nine nests located on pines. Variants of nest location architectonics are the following: in the upper whorl of a flattened crown (n=6), on side branches in the central part of the crown (n=2), on the “witch's broom” at the top of the tree (n=1). Reproduction timing is recorded from April 20 (the earliest date of egg laying) to August 10 (nestling remains in the nest). Short-Toed Eagle tends to change nests every season. The repeated reproduction in the same nest was recorded for one pair only, and both attempts were unsuccessful. Only Common European vipers and Grass snakes were reliably identified among the prey brought to the nest (n=24). We repeatedly noted neighbouring pairs interacting at borders of breeding territories, furthermore, we observed Short-Toed Eagles’ conflicts with Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) (n=6) and Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) (n=1) during the breeding period. We were able to draw conclusions based on the results of long-term observations on a typical elliptic shape of a Short-Toed Eagle breeding territory with the nest located in one of its focuses. The main route birds took from the nest to hunting grounds runs along the major axis of the ellipse. Short-Toed Eagles hunt in the immediate vicinity of the nests only in bad weather conditions or in case of unsuccessful breeding, when long flights for prey become rare. The longest recorded distance a hunting bird travelled from its nest was 7.2 km. The shortest distance between two neighboring nests is 3.9 km. The current Short-Toed Eagle abundance in the Nizhny Novgorod region is estimated at 80–90 breeding pairs, which is about five times higher than the estimate of the abundance given in the Red Data Book of the Nizhny Novgorod region in 2014. This increase is affected less by the actual dynamic in the number of species because of changes in habitats (formation of extensive burnt areas and overgrown fallows) and more due to special research efforts. We can assume that estimates of the Short-Toed Eagle population in areas adjacent to the Nizhny Novgorod region were repeatedly undervalued. Given the specifics of ecology (stenophage species, consumer of the 3rd–4th order, low breeding potential, the highest size class), this species continues to require increased attention and preservation of a high conservation status.

Миграция хищных птиц через Западный Кавказ в осенний период

Миграция хищных птиц через Западный Кавказ в осенний период

Swamps as habitats of rare raptor species in the Nizhny Novgorod region

This article presents relevant contribution to the distribution and number of six species of birds of prey listed in the Red Data Book of RF, in the territory of swamps in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Three species of rare birds of prey in the Nizhny Novgorod region demonstrate a very strong relationship with the swamps of the region - Golden Eagle, Short-toed Eagle and Osprey. All the nesting sites of Golden Eagles are rigidly connected with bog complexes; 66.1% sites of the Short-toed Eagle sites are located in swamps. Osprey can also nest along rivers, but, most likely, the loss of densely located nesting sites in bogs (45.8%) will lead to catastrophic consequences for the species. The Greater Spotted Eagle and White-Tailed Eagle are associated with swamps for the second time, and their rates are 11.8% and 11.7%. Earlier the Peregrine Falcon in the region had a significant percentage of nesting sites in wetlands (26.7%), but now seems to be lost as a breeding species. The total percentage of neting sites located in wetlands for all raptor species listed in the Red Data Book of RF in the Nizhny Novgorod region is 39.5%. All the species under consideration are bioindicators of wetlands and adjacent habitats and allow assessing the conditions of this habitat.

Long‐term effects of rewilding on species composition: 22 years of raptor monitoring in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

Large‐scale rewilding has been proposed as an effective method to combat the global biodiversity crisis, although there is a lack of data to support this. Rewilding generally refers to a process that allows nature to recover by reducing human interference, without the predefined end‐goal that more traditional restoration projects usually have. The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) is perhaps the most famous example of passive rewilding (rewilding with little or no management), but until now, most research has focused on the impact of radiation on wildlife rather than on rewilding. Here, we analyze species composition change of raptors in the Belarusian CEZ over a 22‐year period, starting 12 years after the accident, alongside national raptor monitoring data. Generalist and farmland‐associated mesopredators, super‐abundant at the beginning of our study, strongly declined, as open habitats (former agricultural land) rewetted or became overgrown. Increase in waterlogged areas saw wetland specialists increase in abundance, including two species locally extinct from the area before the accident: Greater Spotted Eagle (Endangered in Europe) and White‐tailed Eagle. Greater Spotted Eagles are an indicator of wetland habitat quality, and while declining throughout Europe in recent decades, they have increased from zero to at least 13 pairs, over the whole Belarusian CEZ. Our research is evidence that rewilding could be an effective way of restoring species and species interactions found in near‐natural habitats, and if human interferences in ecological processes are reduced, a priori restoration goals and continued management are not always necessary to conserve threatened species.

Результаты исследований некоторых редких видов пернатых хищников в национальном парке «Нечкинский», Россия

This report presents the selected results of rare birds of prey studies in the Nechkinsky National Park (Udmurt Republic, Russia) 20 years after the first studies undertaken here by I.V. Karyakin in 1991–1996. The main efforts were directed to the study of the White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). At the same time, the identification of other rare species was made. The studies were carried out during short visits to the territory in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021. In the national park (NP), within the previously known breeding areas, 3 new nests were identified. They were 0.9–1.6 km displaced from the locations of the old nests found 20 years ago. A new breeding territory was found in the adjacent area near the border of the NP. Despite the incomplete study of the area, it is assumed to be 8-9 breeding areas in the national park, and 2–3 areas directly along its borders. The number of breeding pairs of eagles in comparison with the first half of the 1990s, according to the author, remains stable, and population increase, as happened on the Lower Kama in Tatarstan, has not been observed here. Eagles nest on large, old-growth pines and larch trees, with a distance of 130–530 m deep into the forest from the outer edge. The distance to the Kama River is 0.68 km on average (0.13–1.3 km, n=4). The minimum distance between the nearest neighbors in the Kama valley, unregulated by the reservoir, is currently 3.6 km, the average (n=3) – 3.9 km. Eagles breed occasionally on and off. No reproduction was recorded for 2–3 years. The period of egg laying extends for a month from the beginning of March to the beginning of April. The death of young birds on 6-10 kV power lines was revealed, as a result, the owners were obliged to equip the power lines with bird protection devices. White-Tailed Eagle nestlings were ringed with colored rings. Two repeated observations were obtained from the lower reaches of Kama. The Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) continues to inhabit the National Park, which is confirmed by the meetings of adult birds. There has been two-three times population of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) in comparison with the first half of the 1990s. Breeding of this falcon was found on 2 territories with a distance of 16.5 km between them.

Installing of Artificial Nests as a Method of the Large Birds of Prey Population Management in the Center of European Russia: Successes, Problems, Prospects

Active management of populations of protected animal species is urgent whilst its number is catastrophically low and human disturbance of the habitat remains heavy as well. The article analyzes the success, problems and prospects of a large-scale project to recover the number of rare species of birds of prey through the installing of artificial nests in the Nizhny Novgorod region, which is located in the centre of European Russia, in 1998-2019. At the end of 1990, in the Nizhny Novgorod region the number of large birds of prey was critically low: Osprey – 10-12, Golden Eagle – 2-3, Imperial Eagle – 1-3, Greater Spotted Eagle – 10-15, White-tailed Eagle – 4-7 pairs. The main limiting factor for them was the lack of trees suitable for nesting. In total, during the period from 1998 to 2014, 371 artificial nests for large birds of prey were installed in 19 administrative regions of the region. All five target species (Osprey, Golden Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Imperial Eagle and White-tailed Eagle) has been recorded occupying the artificial nests. The process of developing system of artificial nests has been analyzed. Its influence on the number of target species of birds of prey and changes in the use of artificial nests by birds of prey has been also examined. The development of the system of artificial nests has shown its effectiveness as a method to manage populations of rare species of birds of prey that suffer from the lack of nesting trees. It seems to be truth for the Golden Eagle, the Osprey and rather the White-tailed Eagle, and the installing of artificial nests had a significant positive effect on their population trends. Installing of artificial nests is particularly effective when the number of target species is critically low. The increase in numbers leads to a decrease in the share of birds using artificial nests. We propose to continue the regular monitoring of the all the artificial nests for large birds of prey and declare the necessity of implementing a special project to recover the Golden Eagle number in the region.

Регистрации хищных птиц, помеченных цветными кольцами, на гнёздах с ведущимся видеонаблюдением в Ульяновской области и Республике Татарстан, Россия

During video surveillance of the nests of the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), the White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and the Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) in the Republic of Tatarstan in 2019 - 2020 we was observed of immature and adult birds with rings. All these birds were ringed in Tatarstan.

An assessment of bird communities across Ujjani and its five satellite wetlands in Solapur District of Maharashtra, India

Ujjani wetland is a potential Ramsar site in Maharashtra, India with several satellite wetlands associated with it. The present study contributes to single large or several small habitat conservation theories by assessing wetland bird communities. Aquatic bird communities were assessed using area search and point count methods at Kumbhargaon (Ujjani), Bhadalwadi, Madanwadi, Palasdev, Pimple and Ravangaon wetlands between October 2011 and September2012. These are representative satellite wetlands around Ujjani. One-hundred-and-ten species of wetland birds across 12 orders and 29 families were recorded. Out of these, 66 were resident and 44 were found to be migrants. These birds represent 23% mudflat feeder, 16% upland feeder, 14% marsh feeder, 12% bird of prey, 11% surface feeder and fish eaters, while divers and wet meadow feeders were represented with 8.5% and 5% of the species, respectively. Among the birds recorded, Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus, Common Pochard Aythya farina, and Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga belong to the Vulnerable category; while Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, River Tern Sterna aurantia, and Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris represent Near Threatened category on the IUCN Red List. The presence of these bird species underlines the importance and conservation priorities of a major as well as smaller satellite wetlands. Anthropogenic activities such as cattle grazing, fishing, sand and soil mining, land encroachment, urban development and tourism were observed as some of the threats to this wetland ecosystem as well as bird communities.

Nutritional Condition of Hybrid Nestlings Is Similar To That of Pure-Species Offspring of Spotted Eagles (Clanga clanga × C. pomarina)

Hybridization, the interbreeding of different species, plays an important role in several evolutionary processes but can have detrimental effects on the species involved, including extinction. We documented increased levels of hybridization between two Clanga species (Lesser Spotted Eagle [Clanga pomarina] and Greater Spotted Eagle [C. clanga]), following a drastic change in the water regime of their habitats in the Biebrza River Valley, Poland. Due to broader combined food-niches of the parent species, we hypothesized that hybrid nestlings should have similar or better nutritional condition when compared to the nestlings of the pure-species pairs. Ptilochronology of the feathers of 119 nestlings (54 Lesser Spotted Eagle, 42 Greater Spotted Eagle, 23 hybrids), and a comparison of the growth and fault bars among the groups suggested a similarity in their nutritional status. However, the number of fault bars present underscored an existing problem in feeding conditions for both pure and hybrid species, which is probably an effect of environmental changes, particularly in the water regime, in the Biebrza River Valley. Our results suggest that hybrid nestlings are potentially available for recruitment into the breeding populations of the two sibling species and their hybrids, although their fertility has yet to be thoroughly investigated. The evolutionary consequences could be a coalescing of the species into one with more generalist environmental requirements that will allow better exploitation of the changing habitats.

Особенности территориального распределения и численности соколообразных в Харьковской области, Украина

This study investigates the features of the spatial distribution and abundance of birds of prey in the Kharkov region, Ukraine. Investigations were carried out in 2003–2013 years. Totaly we found 1569 nest sites of Falconiformes. There are 29 species of raptors in avifauna of Kharkiv region. Nine of them are wintering species and 16 – nesting. The highest number of nest sites we found in agricultural landscapes – 677 pairs. However, population density here is low, and high number of nest sites can be explained by large extension of this type of habitat. Also significant populations of birds of prey inhabit forest-steppe areas of Central Russian Upland (East European Plain) – 468 pairs, steppe areas of Central Russian Upland – at least 279 pairs (notable that the size of steppe areas are 4 times smaller then forest-steppe areas), and gully forests on the spurs of Donets Ridge – 205 pairs (the size of this habitat in Kharkiv region is no more than 3 000 km 2 ). The other habitats includes highlands in the forest-steppe zone covered with oak forests – 431 pairs, and floodplain forests in the valley of river Siverskyi Donets – 148 pairs (with rather small area of this habitat). These last two habitats are refuge for local populations of Booted Eagle ( Hieraaetus pennata ) and Honey Buzzard ( Pernis apivorus ) because these areas held the most stable nest sites and the highest density of these two species. The same could be said about gully forests on the spurs of Donets Ridge. The estimate number of breeding pairs of Falconiformes in gully forests is around 290 pairs. In this study, we also assessed the total number of breeding Birds of Prey in Kharkiv region. Here are our estimates: Honey Buzzard – 142–156 pairs, Black Kite ( Milvus migrans ) – 133–148 pairs, White-Tailed Eagle ( Haliaeetus albicilla ) – 26–28 pairs, Montagu’s Harrier ( Circus pygargus ) – 174–191, Marsh Harrier ( C. aeruginosus ) – 344–359, Northern Goshawk ( Accipiter gentilis ) – 214–224, Eurasian Sparrowhawk ( Ac. nisus ) – 336–365, Common Buzzard ( Buteo buteo ) – 1000–1050, Long-Legged Buzzard ( B. rufinus ) – 185–190, Short-Toed Eagle ( Circaetus gallicus ) – no more than 6 pairs, Booted Eagle – 119–124, Eastern Imperial Eagle ( Aquila heliaca ) – 56–60, Greater Spotted Eagle ( A. clanga ) – 3–4, Lesser Spotted Eagle ( A. pomarina ) – 10–11, Hobby ( Falco subbuteo ) – 160–175, Common Kestrel ( F. tinnunculus ) – 297–320 pairs.

Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) colour ringing programme and its first results in the period 2000-2008 in Slovakia

Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) colour ringing programme and its first results in the period 2000-2008 in Slovakia In Slovakia during 2000-2008, 636 Lesser Spotted Eagles (Aquila pomarina) were marked with readable colour rings with double figure code. This is the highest number of Lesser Spotted Eagles marked in such a way in Europe. From this sample, 621 ind. (97.6 %) were chicks at the nest and 15 ind. (2.4 %) were adult birds which were trapped and consequently ringed. In this period, 2 colour series of rings have been used in Slovakia. In 2000 the ringing started with yellow rings, and up until the end of 2008, 631 ex. (616 young and 15 adults) were ringed. In 2008, the ringing started with light blue series of rings and 5 young at the nest were ringed. In addition to readable rings, aluminium ornithological rings of the Ringing Centres of Czech Republic (NM Praha) and Slovakia (NM Bratislava) have been used. The yellow series was used in fewer numbers also in Germany and Poland for marking the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina), the Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), and eventually their hybrids. In this article the authors reported first observations in Slovakia of such marked Lesser Spotted Eagles in the field. Observed eagles were 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8 years old. Some of them were already breeding and were observed taking care of their chicks.

The Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila Clanga): Previous, Current Status and Hybridisation in Lithuania

The Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) is a globally threatened species. It is included into the Lithuanian Red Data Book as extinct or probably extinct. During fieldwork in 2000–2004 four non-territorial Greater Spotted Eagles were observed. 261 spotted eagles were described in 161 breeding territories (about 15% of the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) national population)). 2.7% of birds were identified as Greater Spotted Eagles in 3.7% of the studied territories. Only one territory was occupied by two birds, two territories – by solitary birds and three territories were occupied by Greater Spotted Eagles in pairs together with Lesser Spotted Eagles. Only one mixed pair raised probably a hybrid nestling in 2004. 3% of spotted eagles were difficult to identify, thus it is possible that they could be hybrids of the first or later generations. A presumption is possible that in Lithuania there are up to 15 territories occupied by pairs in which at least one mate is the Greater Spotted Eagle. About ...