Nest site selection patterns of a local Egyptian VultureNeophron percnopteruspopulation in Turkey

Abstract

SummaryWe report the size and density of an Egyptian Vulture population in Turkey and provide insight into its nest site selection patterns. The study was carried out at Beypazarı (Turkey), holding one of the densest Egyptian Vulture populations (six pairs per 100 km2) in the Western Palearctic. Random Forests analysis revealed that human impact was a potential factor governing the distribution of nest sites, as the pairs clearly preferred to breed away from nearby villages, towns or roads. Utilisation of elevation gradient and aspect was similar to other studied populations, with the probability of nesting increasing at lower altitudes and for south-facing cliffs. Nearest-neighbour distance between nests was about 1.5 km, indicating territorial behaviour when choosing nest sites at the local scale. Our findings provide guidance for nature conservation NGOs and related government bodies for their various actions including designation of Important Bird Areas, regulation of mining practices and preparation of environmental impact assessments.

No short-term effect of closing a rubbish dump on reproductive parameters of an Egyptian Vulture population in Turkey

“…Our analysis of Egyptian Vulture reproductive parameters shows annual variability in breeding success but no statistical support for a distinct effect of the closure of a main food source, the communal rubbish dump. Instead, we found that Egyptian Vultures in this dense breeding population appear to have higher breeding success when nesting in close proximity to other pairs, which may be a consequence of spatially aggregated ideal nesting opportunities (Şen et al 2017).…”

“…We monitored breeding performance of a dense population from 2011 to 2016, and examined whether the closure of a central rubbish dump, which used to contain human food waste and animal carcasses and therefore functioned as a reliable food source for vultures up to 2014, resulted in a change in reproductive parameters in 2015 and 2016. Although this specific rubbish dump did not affect nest site selection of the Egyptian Vulture population (Şen et al 2017), recent evidence from Spain suggests that territory occupancy may be influenced by such predictable food sources (Tauler-Ametller et al 2017). This study provides the first baseline information on the breeding performance of an Egyptian Vulture population in Turkey and explores the effect of sanitary measures on reproductive parameters that have led to major changes of vulture populations in western Europe (Margalida et al 2010, 2014b).…”

“…Safeguarding and restoring the Balkan population might therefore require a strong and productive population in Turkey, as has been shown for Egyptian Vulture populations elsewhere and for other raptors in the region (Demerdzhiev et al 2015, Lieury et al 2015, Tauler et al 2015). Despite the importance of the Egyptian Vulture population in Turkey, population size and trends are unknown and reliable information is needed to assess the consequences of changing agricultural and land use policies on the species’ status (Kirwan et al 2008, Şen et al 2017).…”

“…One species for which Turkey holds a very important population is the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus , which has a European population between 3,300 and 5,050 breeding pairs mostly distributed in Spain (1,500 pairs) and Turkey (1,500–3,000 pairs) (Iñigo et al 2008, Şen et al 2017). The species is globally ’Endangered’ due to long term declines in Europe, Africa and India (Cuthbert et al 2006, Thiollay 2006, Velevski et al 2015, Ogada et al 2016), and these declines are mainly caused by poisoning, direct persecution, decreased food availability, electrocution and collision with power lines and wind turbines (Liberatori and Penteriani 2001, Mateo-Tomás et al 2010, Angelov et al 2013, Sanz-Aguilar et al 2015, Velevski et al 2015).…”

Out of sight, out of mind? Testing the effects of overwinter habitat alterations on breeding territories of a migratory endangered species

“…Previous studies carried out in the same target population showed negative consequences of human disturbances on breeding performance (Zuberogoitia et al, 2008. Thus, Egyptian Vultures are able to actively prevent possible threats by avoiding breeding in altered environments (or disturbed areas), and so it is not surprising that human activities limit the distribution of the species by altering nest site selection patterns (Sen, Tavares & Bilgin, 2017). However, it is not easy to detect indirect effects on the ecology of a species when there is no obvious disruption of biological routine (i.e.…”