Supplementary feeding as an effective tool for improving breeding success in the Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti)

摘要: Abstract We studied the factors that led to brood reduction in 1192 nest/years of 143 territories Spanish imperial eagle during period 1988–2003 and we carried out an innovative supplementary feeding programme perches near nests order mitigate nestling mortality improve fledging rate. Chick affected 9.3% hatchlings 13.9% monitored. Sibling aggression was most important factor (54.8% chicks nest), limited process sibling aggression. In addition, compared rate with food non-supplemented control nests. Supplementary increased number fledglings per (1.56 vs 0.72 nests). This increase repeated subadult pairs (1.57 0.53 nests) occurred both high-quality (2.32 1.36) low-quality (1.35 0.54). Our results also suggest does not appear have any effect on provisioning either males or females wild prey. Food supplementation recovery breeding success after a loss due prey as consequence viral haemorrhagic disease. conclude eagle’s output is food-limited taken nest regulates Supplemental when scarce, under emergency conditions, can be considered good management tool for conservation this endangered species.