An assessment of tree availability as a possible cause of population declines in scavenging raptors

摘要: Lack of suitable nesting trees is an increasingly common issue for avian conservation given rampant habitat and tree destruction around the world. In African savannah, loss particularly damage caused by elephants have been suggested as possible factors in decline large bird species. Given recent declines vultures other scavenging raptors, it critical to understand if nest availability a limiting factor these threatened populations. Loss woodland, partially due elephant populations, has reported Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. Data on characteristics used were collected White-backed, Lappet-faced, White-headed vulture, Tawny eagle nests Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Nest compared with distribution random subsample assess preferences determine suitability available trees. Nearest neighbor distances estimated well preferred tree-nesting vultures. Tree was found greatly exceed needs eagles. We thus conclude that landscape scale, not any species considered here (White-backed, vultures, eagles). This article protected copyright. All rights reserved.