NEST-SITE SELECTION, DIET AND PARENTAL CARE OF THE WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE Aquila audax lN WESTERN NEW SOUTH WALES
| Posted: |
11/04/2021 |
| Author(s): |
David B. Croft, Lisa M. Silva |
Nest-site characteristics and selection of the Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax were studied in 1997 at Fowlers Gap, in arid
western New South Wales, Australia, by measuring parameters of nest trees (n = I active, 31 inactive) and other trees {n = 150
in circular plots around nest trees). Parental behaviour and prey items at two nests were recorded by remote time-lapse video
surveillance, from week 4 of the nestling period to fledging. Active nests were mostly in live gums Eucalyptus sp. in creeks,
whereas most inactive nests were in non-eucalypts or dead trees on ridges. Riparian nest trees were significantly taller, with
larger crowns, than nest trees on downs or ridges, and non-nest trees in creeks; ridge nest trees were significantly taller than
ridge non-nest trees. Six clutches were all of two eggs; fledging success was 0.6 young per attempt (n = 9). The eagles'
breeding diet consisted of mammals (44% by number), birds (6%) and reptiles (34%): mostly rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus
(33yo), juvenile kangaroos Macropus sp. (6%) and Bearded Dragons Pogona vitticeps (29%). By biomass, important prey were
mammals (77%), rabbits (45%), kangaroos (26%) and reptiles {12%). Parental behaviour is described, and the video
surveillance method is evaluated.
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