Circaetus Gallicus Research Articles

Circaetus gallicus

This datasheet on Circaetus gallicus covers Identity, Distribution.

First-Time Event in Lebanon: Releasing 2 Birds with GPS Trackers

Lebanon is situated on one of the most important lines of migration in the world, the African-Eurasian Flyway. Unfortunately, millions of birds are killed/taken each year in an illegal way. Some of them were retained from poachers or reported by environmental activists or civilian as alive, transmitted to the Raptor Rescue Center managed by the Lebanese Association for Migratory Birds to follow a program of rehab and release after achieving a successful assessment of state of health with a GPS tracker on their back, to monitor the choice of their second chanced life. None of the birds continued his migration, the Black Kite Milvus migran went to Syria and came back to the Lebanese bords. The Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus stayed roaming in the area until the GPS tracker shutdown.

A record of Short-toed Eagle in the Chelyabinsk region

A record of Short-toed Eagle in the Chelyabinsk region

Status and distribution of diurnal raptors in Central North Algeria, the case of Great Kabylia

In 2018 and 2019 thirteen species of raptors, with 407 individuals, were found nesting in Great Kabylia in Algeria. During this period, 196 raptor nest sites were located (Falco tinnunculus is not included as it thrives in many biotopes and tolerates anthropization). We noted a decrease in specific richness and abundance of raptors in the region compared to data for 1992. Some raptors were not seen during our study: Gypaetus barbatus, Pandion haliaetus, Falco biarmicus, Circaetus aeruginosus, and Falco eleonorae. We classified nesting diurnal raptors into 3 classes according to their relative abundance: (1) widespread species (10-26 %): F. tinnunculus, Hieraaetus pennatus, and Buteo rufinus cirtensis; (2) common species (5-10 %): Elanus caeruleus, Falco peregrinus, Circaetus gallicus, Falco naumanni, Gyps fulvus, and Milvus migrans; and (3) uncommon species (1-5 %): Neophron percnopterus, Accipiter nisus, Aquila fasciata, and Aquila chrysaeto. With the exception of N. percnopterus, which is classified as an endangered species, the raptors of Great Kabylia are mainly classified in the category of species of least concern (IUCN, 2020). Dataset published through GBIF (Doi: 10.15470/wt5dgi).

Conservation Letter: Raptors and Anticoagulant Rodenticides

Conservation Letter: Raptors and Anticoagulant Rodenticides

Habitat suitability and nest-site selection of short-toed eagle Circaetus gallicus in Tolfa Mountains (Central Italy)

The availability of a suitable nesting site can be an important limiting factor for the reproduction of birds of prey, which are highly influenced by forest management and exploitation activities. Among them, the short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus) seems to tolerate logging activities carried out with traditional practices. This study aimed to investigate the habitat selection of 29 territorial pairs of this species in the Tolfa Mountains (Central Italy). Using Generalized Linear Models and the Information-Theoretic Approach, we compared the environmental features (i.e. land cover and topography) that characterize nesting sites in the study area. Additionally, we described the nest-site selection of the species by characterizing nine detected nests and comparing their characteristics with those of an equivalent number of nearby randomly selected sites. We found that, as expected, the short-toed eagle settles on hillsides covered by broad-leaved forests (both evergreen and deciduous) with open areas and away from agricultural areas. Moreover, the nests were found on steeper slopes, on trees extensively covered with climbing plants, possibly to hide them from predators and human disturbance. Our results suggest that, for the conservation of the short-toed eagle, careful management of woodland coppicing is required, as well as greater control of human disturbance.

Blood plasma biochemistry and the effects of age, sex, and captivity in Short-toed Snake Eagles (Circaetus gallicus)

Blood plasma biochemistry and the effects of age, sex, and captivity in Short-toed Snake Eagles (Circaetus gallicus)

RECORDING OF THE SPRING MIGRATION OF SOARING BIRDS THROUGH GEBEL EL ZEIT, EASTERN DESERT, EGYPT

Egypt is an important pass for the soaring birds’ migration, as it is situated on the mainland connection between the Eurasian and African landmasses that connects breeding grounds in Eurasia with wintering zones in Africa. In the current study, the spring migration of soaring birds was studied along a narrow corridor “bottleneck site” located within the Red Sea/Rift Valley bird migration flyway, Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Over a period of four weeks from April 19th to 17th of May 2019, 89949 soaring birds of 27 species were counted during an eight-hour daily observation window. In total, 47511 raptors of 24 species were recorded. The most common were the group of Levant sparrowhawk “Accipter brevipes”, European honey buzzard “Pernis apivorus”, and Northern steppe buzzard “Buteo buteo vulpinus” forming 33.16%, 32.08%, and 24.91% of all raptors, respectively; while combined black kite “Milvus migrans”, lesser spotted eagle “Aquila pomarine”, steppe eagle “Aquila nipalensis”, short-toed eagle “Circaetus gallicus”, booted eagle “Aquila pennata”, and Egyptian vulture “Neophron percnopterus” recorded more than 6% of the raptor assemblage. In addition, 15 greater spotted eagle “Aquila clanga”, 6 pallid harrier “Circus macrourus”, and 5 Eurasian griffon vulture “Gyps fulvus” were recorded during the observations. Other soaring birds were recorded during the study-time, the most common were: 36700 white stork “Ciconia Ciconia”, 4230 great white pelican “Pelecanus onocrotalus”, and 1500 black stork “Ciconia nigra”.

RECORDING OF THE SPRING MIGRATION OF SOARING BIRDS THROUGH GEBEL EL ZEIT, EASTERN DESERT, EGYPT

Egypt is an important pass for the soaring birds’ migration, as it is situated on the mainland connection between the Eurasian and African landmasses that connects breeding grounds in Eurasia with wintering zones in Africa. In the current study, the spring migration of soaring birds was studied along a narrow corridor “bottleneck site” located within the Red Sea/Rift Valley bird migration flyway, Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Over a period of four weeks from April 19th to 17th of May 2019, 89949 soaring birds of 27 species were counted during an eight-hour daily observation window. In total, 47511 raptors of 24 species were recorded. The most common were the group of Levant sparrowhawk “Accipter brevipes”, European honey buzzard “Pernis apivorus”, and Northern steppe buzzard “Buteo buteo vulpinus” forming 33.16%, 32.08%, and 24.91% of all raptors, respectively; while combined black kite “Milvus migrans”, lesser spotted eagle “Aquila pomarine”, steppe eagle “Aquila nipalensis”, short-toed eagle “Circaetus gallicus”, booted eagle “Aquila pennata”, and Egyptian vulture “Neophron percnopterus” recorded more than 6% of the raptor assemblage. In addition, 15 greater spotted eagle “Aquila clanga”, 6 pallid harrier “Circus macrourus”, and 5 Eurasian griffon vulture “Gyps fulvus” were recorded during the observations. Other soaring birds were recorded during the study-time, the most common were: 36700 white stork “Ciconia Ciconia”, 4230 great white pelican “Pelecanus onocrotalus”, and 1500 black stork “Ciconia nigra”.

Interspecific correlations toward climatic factors in migratory raptor species across Mt. Sega, Karangasem, Bali

It has been known that climate change can affect organisms in various ways. For example, studies found that climate change affect phenology i.e. migratory arrival of migratory species. This study was aimed to find out whether the migratory arrival of five species of bird of prey flying across Mt. Sega Karangasem – Bali correlates with climate factors in the region. This study took place from 1 October to 30 November 2018 by using look up method, and found that air temperature, cloud cover, humidity, and air pressure had a stronger correlation toward the migratory bird of prey species that crossed over the Mt. Sega compared to wind speed and precipitation. The air temperature, cloud cover and wind speed had a positive correlation toward the migratory bird of prey arrival, whereas the negative correlation was demonstrated by humidity, air pressure, and precipitation. The presence of the Chinese Sparrow-hawk and the Short-toed Snake Eagle were correlated with the humidity. Whereas the presence of the Peregrine falcon was correlated with the cloud cover. The presence of the Oriental Honey Buzzard was correlated with the wind speed, while the precipitation and air pressure were correlated with the presence of the Japanese Sparrow-hawk. The Japanese Sparrow-hawk arrived earlier at 10.00 whereas the other four species arrived later at around 12.00.

Pemantauan Jenis Burung Pemangsa Pada Migrasi Arus Datang Di Gunung Sega, Karangasem Bali

Bird of prey migration is a phenomenon that occurs twice every year, namely the autumn migration and the spring migration. In Indonesia, autumn migration is also known as go-away migration, while spring migration is known as backflow migration. This study aimed to determine the species of birds of prey that pass on Mount Sega, Karangasem Bali during autumn migration in 2018. The study was conducted on 1 October - 30 November 2018 on Mt. Sega, Karangasem Bali using a method from Hume (1993). The species of birds of prey that were recorded were 7 species, consisting of 5 migrant species and 2 resident species. The migrant species recorded were the Chinese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter soloensis), the Japanese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis), the Crested Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus), the Peregrine Falcon (Falco perigrinus), and the Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus). The resident species recorded were the Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) and the Spotted Kestrel (Falco moluccensis).
 Keywords: Accipiter, bird of prey, migration, Mt. Sega

Feeding Ecology of Short-Toed Snake-Eagle (Circaetus gallicus [Gmelin, 1788]) in the Montados of Iberian Peninsula

The diet of Short-toed Snake-eagle (Circaetus gallicus) during the breeding season in an area dominated by cork and holm oak parkland forests (Montados) was analyzed in this study. As expected, results showed that snakes are the dominant prey in the diet of this eagle, comprising up to 92.5% of the identified items, if potential secondary prey species were excluded. The Montpellier Snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) was the most consumed one (42.2%), followed by the Ladder Snake (Zamenis scalaris) (28.0%), and the water snakes (Natrix spp.) (14.2%). According to the same criteria, lizards (mainly Psammodromus algirus) and mammals represent between 4.8 and 2.2%, respectively. Other animals such as pond turtle and amphibians are irregular prey (<1%), and no bird remains were found at all. Short-toed Snake-eagle is usually referred as a stenophagic predator where snakes are by far its most important prey type, and where within this taxonomic group it behaves as a generalist predator. In this study this premise was then tested comparing the relative abundance of the snake species with their proportion in the diet composition of the eagle in order to know whether or not prey selection exists with regard to the species of snakes in this region. Results point to a quite plausible "preference" for the Ladder Snake and an "avoidance" for the smooth snakes group (Macroprotodon brevis/Coronella girondica), and possibly for the Horseshoe Whip (Hemorrhois hippocrepis). The avoidance to the Horseshoe Whip must be indirect and habitat related, while in relation to the two smooth snakes it may be due in large extend to its small size, in particular.

Accounting for differential migration strategies between age groups to monitor raptor population dynamics in the eastern Black Sea flyway

Migration counts can offer a cost‐effective method for monitoring the state of migrant raptor populations. However, differential migration strategies between inexperienced juveniles and experienced non‐juveniles are rarely accounted for when inferring population trends from raptor migration counts. Since 2011, the Batumi Raptor Count (BRC) monitors the autumn migration of more than 1 million raptors along the eastern Black Sea coast in the Republic of Georgia. We also systematically sampled age information to assess differential migration timing between age groups and estimate age‐specific linear trends in abundance between 2011 and 2018 for eight focal species. In so doing we aimed (1) to reassess the global relevance of BRC counts for each species and the potential for monitoring abundance of juveniles and non‐juveniles, and (2) to identify demographic changes underlying recent trends in overall abundance. We found that the mean annual passage of non‐juveniles at Batumi represents at least 1% of the estimated global breeding population of five study species. As expected, counts of juveniles were more variable than counts of non‐juveniles. Yet despite our short monitoring period our models had sufficient statistical power to detect changes in abundance of 10%/year or less for at least one age group in all species except Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus. Our results indicate stable abundance and demography for half of the study species. We also found strong and significant increases in the abundance of Black Kites Milvis migrans and Short‐toed Eagles Circaetus gallicus that were primarily due to increasing numbers of non‐juveniles. By contrast, juvenile Montagu's Harriers Circus pygargus and Booted Eagles Hieraaetus pennatus significantly decreased in abundance. The first decade of BRC surveys offers an important benchmark for monitoring raptor populations using the eastern African–Palearctic flyway in the 21st century. We discuss possible causes of the observed trends and hope our work will stimulate demographic monitoring at migration count sites.

Stick supply to nests by cliff-nesting raptors as an evolutionary load of past tree-nesting

The supply of sticks to cliff nests by many European raptors has been explained only as a functional means of decreasing ectoparasite loads in nests and for signalling nest occupancy. We provide here a historical explanation of this behaviour as we consider it represents an evolutionary load of formerly tree-nesting species. Basically, from this perspective, facultative tree/cliff-nesting species reproduce the nests they used to build originally on top of trees, but on cliffs. Facultative species (likely evolved in forested areas) that supply their cliff nests with sticks include Pandion haliaetus, Haliaetus albicilla, Milvus migrans, Circaetus gallicus, Buteo buteo, Aquila fasciata, A. pennata, A. chrysaetos, A. heliaca, Gypaetus barbatus Gyps fulvus and Neophron percnopterus. On the contrary, the only Falco species that solely nests in cliffs (F. eleonorae)) and does not supply its nests with sticks and should be considered a true cliff-nester, likely evolved in non-forested areas. All other Falco species that do not supply their cliff nests with sticks but can make use of tree nests made by other non-raptorial species, should also be considered as true cliff-nesters, likely evolved in more forested areas or times. Milvus milvus, Elanus caeruleus, Accipiter nisus, A. gentilis, Pernis apivorus, Aquila adalberti, A. clanga, A. pomarina and Aegypius monachus are true tree nesters, likely evolved in forested areas, which did not evolve the plasticity to nest directly on cliffs.

Природоохранный статус гнездящихся орлов во Франции

Seven species of eagle breed in France: Golden Eagle ( Aquila chrysaetos ), Lesser Spotted Eagle ( Aquila pomarina ), Bonelli’s Eagle ( Aquila fasciata ), Booted Eagle ( Hieraaetus pennatus ), Short-toed Eagle ( Circaetus gallicus ), Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus ) and White-tailed Eagle ( Haliaeetus albicilla ). Populations of all species have increased since the beginning of the 2000s and breeding pairs are estimated at: 2500-3300 in 2012 (Short-toed Eagle), 585-810 in 2012 (Booted Eagle), 450-500 in 2012 (Golden Eagle), 80-90 in 2015 (Osprey),33 in 2016 (Bonelli’s Eagle) and 1 each in 2018 (Lesser spotted Eagle and White-tailed Eagle). These two latter species became new breeding species in 2003 and 2011 respectively. Productivity, expressed as fledgling/pair/year, is estimated to be on average 0.57 (Short-toed Eagle), 1.56 (Osprey), 1.18 (Bonelli’s Eagle), 0.82 (Lesser spotted Eagle), 1.1 (White-tailed Eagle) and from 0.26 (min) to 0.70 (max) (Golden Eagle). The main threats to reproduction relate to decreases in habitat quality (resulting from disturbance, habitat loss and wind farms) and the increase of mortality (from power lines, poaching and poisoning).

Diurnal birds of prey of national nature park ‘Dvorichanskyi’ and adjacent territories

The studies of species composition and abundance of diurnal birds of prey may be quite indicative of the state of natural ecosystems and of the level of impact of human-induced factors on their functions. Such studies are particularly important within the protected areas taking into account unfavourable conservation status of many species of the group. The status, abundance, aspects of habitat distribution and breeding habitat preferences of diurnal birds of prey were studied within national nature park ‘Dvorichanskyi’ and adjacent territories (750 sq. km, Dvorichanskyi district, Kharkiv Region, Ukraine) in 2010–2018. 22 species were registered. The breeding of six species was confirmed e.g. Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus). The breeding of four more species is considered probable namely Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus), White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and Hobby (Falco subbuteo). There are indications of possible breeding of Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) and Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). The rest of the species are migrating and/or wintering. The most numerous breeding species is Common Buzzard. The abundance of Booted Eagle is comparatively high that discerns the study area from other parts of Kharkiv Region. 40 nests of birds of prey were carefully inspected. The majority were found in ravine steppe forests (83%). Oak, alder and willow flood-plain forests are very important breeding habitats for Black Kite and Booted Eagle while ravine steppe forests are those for Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard and Booted Eagle. Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) is the most favourable tree species for building the nests (47.5% of all inspected nests) followed by European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) (15%) and European pear (Pyrus communis) (10%).

Constraints on raptor distribution at the southwestern boundary of the Palaearctic: implications for conservation

Populations at the far edges of their ranges tend to be scarce, and they are frequently of conservation concern. This paper examines the distribution of three raptors (Circaetus gallicus, Hieraaetus pennatus and Milvus migrans) at the southwestern boundary of their breeding range. We modelled species distribution to obtain habitat suitability indexes that were validated with extensive fieldwork in Morocco and Spain. Our results support a strong effect of habitat suitability and a bottleneck effect of the Strait of Gibraltar on raptor distribution. However, after controlling for these effects, the three species were scarcer in Morocco than in Spain. We did not find differences between the two countries in the number of power lines that are dangerous to raptors or in general impacts of agricultural intensification on bird populations (we assessed more farmland birds in Morocco). However, many more people (i.e., shepherds) were detected in Morocco, whose negative effect on raptors could explain the depletion of their populations. These transboundary differences are used to discuss the fate of these peripheral populations in a context of climate change and rural abandonment. They also highlight the need for strengthening raptor conservation around the Strait of Gibraltar, where a permanent flow of raptors converges throughout the year.

Diet and habitat affinities in six raptor species in India

BackgroundSympatric species adapt to, and temporally or geographically segregate access to similar limiting factors.MethodsWe compared nesting habitat and diet affinities of six raptor species in central India between the years 2006‒2015.ResultsA large composition of reptiles in the diet was characteristic for Circaetus gallicus, Spilornis cheela and Elanus caeruleus, while Aquila fasciata, Falco chicquera and Nisaetus cirrhatus show a higher proportion of birds. Species with greatest similarity of diet were C. gallicus and S. cheela. Considering the environmental characterization of areas where raptors built the nest, some species were ecologically closer than others. N. cirrhatus and S. cheela were related to the presence of water bodies, dry deciduous forest and evergreen forests, while E. caeruleus and C. gallicus preferred more open habitats. A. fasciata bred either on cliffs or trees, F. chicquera on trees or mobile towers, and the other four species built their nests exclusively in trees.ConclusionsWe conclude that although there was overlap in diet and nesting ecology for a number of species, the geographical separation likely limits competition for resources.

Особенности миграции хищных птиц в Харьковской области, Украина

This article describes the characteristic of the raptor’s (Accipitriformes, Falconiformes) migration through Eastern European plains. We studied issues of a species distribution, number of migrants including between years variations, biotopical preferences, altitude and directions of migration, species composition and strength of migratory groups, important migration, and resting areas, and main threats. Studies were carried out on the territory without “bottleneck” factors. Most species migrate through the Eastern European plain as a sole individual or in pairs, more rarely – in small groups of 2–5 birds. In adverse circumstances, raptors can aggregate in big numbers making flocks. The most numerous species on migration is Common Buzzard ( Buteo buteo ) – a dominant species: 41.8% of all birds of prey observed on migration are Common Buzzards. Subdominant species (from 7–8% to 15%) are Rough-legged Buzzard ( Buteo lagopus ), Eurasian Sparrowhawk ( Accipiter nisus ), Honey Buzzard ( Pernis apivorus ) and Northern Hobby ( Falco subbuteo ). Other common species are Lesser Spotted Eagle ( Aquila pomarina ), Booted Eagle ( Hieraaetus pennatus ), and Marsh Harrier ( Circus aeruginosus ). The number of migrating individuals for most species can be characterized as stable with overall depression in 2013. In 2008–2010 we observed the growth of the number of migrating Honey Buzzards, in 2015 – Short-Toed Eagles ( Circaetus gallicus ) and Common Buzzards, and in 2016 – Ospreys ( Pandion haliaetus ). The main directions of migratory movements in autumn are south-east and south; Rough-legged Buzzards are often moving to the west. In spring birds of prey are flying north-east and north, and less often – north-west. Most of the transit birds of prey were observed at low and middle altitudes (up to 150 m). Eagles ( Aquila genus) are distributed more evenly with a significant number of high altitude migrants (from 350 to 600 m and higher). From 2007 to 2016 we observed shifts to the earliest dates in autumn migration start and peak. The average shift was 10–14 days.

Aggregations and Dietary Changes of Short-toed Snake-Eagles: A New Phenomenon Associated with Modern Agriculture

Resumen Recientemente en Israel, docenas de individuos de Circaetus gallicus, especie considerada tipicamente como no gregaria durante la epoca reproductiva, han sido observados agrupandose durante el verano en campos agricolas siendo cultivados. Estos trabajos incluyen el arado profundo, que expone un gran numero de roedores. Esta nueva fuente de alimentos ha alterado los habitos sociales y troficos de C. gallicus, que usualmente es una rapaz territorial, cuya dieta principal son reptiles, especialmente las serpientes. Las aguilas se agrupan en estos campos en grandes numeros y se alimentan de los roedores. Nuestras observaciones mostraron que este fenomeno ocurre principalmente en campos de trigo y que la densidad de C. gallicus en estos campos esta positivamente correlacionada con la densidad de roedores. Este nuevo fenomeno tiene implicaciones importantes para la conservacion de rapaces y demuestra el servicio ecologico que C. gallicus proporciona en el control biologico de roedores. Por el contrario,...