FORAGING OF WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLES Haliaeetus leucogaster IN RELATION TO MARINE FISH FARMS IN TASMANIA
| Posted: |
10/04/2021 |
| Author(s): |
Alastair Richardson, Jason M. Wiersma |
The ranging and foraging behaviour of adult male White-bellied Sea-Eagles Haliaeetus leucogaster, at three marine
fish farms and three non-aquaculture sites, were studied in the breeding season (August–December 2000) by radiotelemetry.
At non-aquaculture sites (Sea-Eagle nests >8 km from fish farms), areas of Sea-Eagle home ranges averaged
77.2 square kilometres (minimum convex polygon) and 92.2 square kilometres (95% kernel), with a primary hunting area
within four kilometres of the nest; soaring hunting flights averaged 16 kilometres, and short-stay perch-hunting
sequences averaged 1.2 kilometres. At aquaculture sites (Sea-Eagle nests <3 km from fish farms), elongated home
ranges averaged 56.7 square kilometres (MCP) and 219.6 square kilometres (95% kernel); soaring hunting flights
averaged 24 kilometres, and short-stay perch-hunting forays averaged 3.6 kilometres. Foraging efficiency may be lower
at aquaculture sites, with possible consequences for energetics and therefore breeding success.
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