NEST-SITE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE Aquila audax IN SOUTHERN VICTORIA
| Posted: |
02/04/2021 |
| Author(s): |
Adam Foster, Rob Wallis |
Nest-site characteristics of the Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax were investigated in the outer Melbourne region of
Victoria in 1999–2000. Nests (n = 20) were found in a range of local habitats (isolated trees to forest) and forest or
woodland types. Nests averaged 12.6 metres above the ground (5–20 m, n = 14) and were placed mainly in the top
one-third of live eucalypts, within the canopy level of surrounding trees, if present. Nest trees averaged 18.1 metres tall
(8–28 m, n = 14), and were located in sheltered positions, in gullies or on moderate slopes (<30°) with south-westerly to
easterly aspects; most nests and nest-trees were situated below the top of the slope on which they were located. These
characteristics conferred shelter from prevailing winds and bushfires during the breeding cycle (mid-winter to early
summer), and security from nest predators. Most nests were on private land or Crown land with restricted access.
Nearest-neighbour distances averaged 4.7 kilometres (4–5.5 km, n = 5), giving a calculated core breeding territory
averaging 17.6 square kilometres (12.6–23.8 km2).
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