Abstract

Capsule Fledgling Golden Eagles in northern Sweden preferred clearcuts and other open forest habitats, as well as steep slopes.Aims To study the post-fledging habitat use and ranging behaviour of juvenile Golden Eagles on their natal territories.Methods Fourteen juvenile Golden Eagles in northern Sweden were marked with GPS transmitters and tracked until they left their natal territory.Results Eagles fledged at the end of July-beginning of August and remained on their natal territories until October-early November. Fledged eagles' home range size before flying south was on average 41km(2). Juvenile eagles showed a preference for clearcuts, coniferous forest on lichen-covered bedrock and edges between clearcuts and forest, whilst all other habitat types were used less than expected. The eagles showed a preference for steep slopes, in particular south-facing ones, whilst north-facing slopes were used less than expected.Conclusion Golden Eagles' preference for clearcuts and steep slopes can be used in the planning and management of eagle friendly' wind farms.

Published in

Bird Study
2014, Volume: 61, number: 1, pages: 9-16
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

SLU Authors

• Hipkiss, Tim

  • Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Dettki, Holger

  • Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Ecke, Frauke

  • Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Hörnfeldt, Birger

  • Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2013.857387

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/65140