Space Use and Habitat Selection by Adult Migrant Golden Eagles Wintering in the Western United States

Domenech, Robert; Bedrosian, Bryan; Crandall, Ross H.; Slabe, Vincent A.

doi:10.3356/rapt-49-04-429-440.1

Cited by 17 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…NA golden eagles exhibit a variety of migration strategies. Segments of the population undergo long annual migrations from Alaska and northern Canada [32,33], others migrate shorter distances, and some remain as year-round residents in their nesting areas [23]. They exhibit dispersal movements and responses to resources that result in individuals using disparate locales during the course of their life cycle and mixing with birds from other geographic natal areas [23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA Analyses of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos canadensis) from Three Areas in Western North America; Initial Results and Conservation Implications

Craig¹,

Adams

Waits

et al. 2016

PLoS ONE

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Understanding the genetics of a population is a critical component of developing conservation strategies. We used archived tissue samples from golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos canadensis) in three geographic regions of western North America to conduct a preliminary study of the genetics of the North American subspecies, and to provide data for United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) decision-making for golden eagle management. We used a combination of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop sequences and 16 nuclear DNA (nDNA) microsatellite loci to investigate the extent of gene flow among our sampling areas in Idaho, California and Alaska and to determine if we could distinguish birds from the different geographic regions based on their genetic profiles. Our results indicate high genetic diversity, low genetic structure and high connectivity. Nuclear DNA Fst values between Idaho and California were low but significantly different from zero (0.026). Bayesian clustering methods indicated a single population, and we were unable to distinguish summer breeding residents from different regions. Results of the mtDNA AMOVA showed that most of the haplotype variation (97%) was within the geographic populations while 3% variation was partitioned among them. One haplotype was common to all three areas. One region-specific haplotype was detected in California and one in Idaho, but additional sampling is required to determine if these haplotypes are unique to those geographic areas or a sampling artifact. We discuss potential sources of the high gene flow for this species including natal and breeding dispersal, floaters, and changes in migratory behavior as a result of environmental factors such as climate change and habitat alteration. Our preliminary findings can help inform the USFWS in development of golden eagle management strategies and provide a basis for additional research into the complex dynamics of the North American subspecies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA Analyses of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos canadensis) from Three Areas in Western North America; Initial Results and Conservation Implications

Craig¹,

Adams

Waits

et al. 2016

PLoS ONE

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“…Studies of Golden Eagle habitat use have involved both migratory (e.g. Brodeur et al 1996, Alerstam 2001, McIntyre et al 2008, Duerr et al 2012, Johnston et al 2013, Moss et al 2014, Domenech et al 2015 and non-migratory birds (Marzluff et al 1997, Carrete et al 2000, McLeod et al 2002b, Sergio et al 2006, Tapia et al 2007, Sandgren et al 2014, Watson et al 2014, Braham et al 2015, Poessel et al 2016, Miller et al 2017, Tracey et al 2018. Later studies have benefitted from GPS telemetry (L opez-L opez 2016).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A simple topographical model to predict Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos space use during dispersal

Fielding¹,

Haworth²,

Anderson

et al. 2019

Ibis

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Many large raptors exploit or rely on anabatic and orographic winds which provide vertical lift, to supplement or provide the energy fuelling flight. Airspace is therefore a critical habitat for such large raptors and its use is subject to the underlying terrestrial topography, because particular topographical features are more likely to provide wind‐energetic lift. Accordingly, ridges and/or ‘rugged topography’ are common preferred features in habitat use by large raptors. Our study aimed to provide a simple model of space use for a large raptor, the Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, based on thousands of GPS telemetry records during juvenile dispersal of 92 birds tagged as nestlings between 2007 and 2016 across upland Scotland. Model development was based on the hypothesis that four topographical variables would be influential: slope, aspect, altitude and distance from ridge. The telemetry dataset was divided into training and two testing components. The first testing set was derived by a temporal split resulting in approximately equal sample size on records and some temporal overlap in individuals’ records with training data. The second testing set involved no individuals from the training set. Aspect was removed early in training model development because it was not influential. The model found that young Golden Eagles preferred, or used according to availability, space above slopes greater than 10°, at an altitude of ≥ 300 m, and within 300 m of a ridge. The test data were highly correlated with those from the training data in the model variables, and performance as regard to expected preferences from the model was improved in both test datasets, indicating the model was robust. Given the apparent universal nature of large raptor dependence on topography, that topography is relatively immutable according to time and use, and that topographical data are readily available, we commend our approach to other habitat preference studies of Golden Eagles and other large raptors elsewhere.

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“…First-year Golden Eagles showed great variation in space use in winter. Home ranges and core use areas we calculated tended to be larger than those reported for non-migrant populations (Marzluff et al 1997, Braham et al 2015, Poessel et al 2016, but were more similar to those of other migrant populations (Miller 2012, Domenech et al 2015). Home ranges we measured also tended to be larger than those of older, territorial birds (Marzluff et al 1997, Braham et al 2015, Poessel et al 2016, and more similar to reported home range size for younger eagles (Weston et al 2013).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

“…Other studies which analyzed land cover change with higher resolution land cover data have been able to detect small yet significant changes (Xiubin 1996, Lindsay et al 2016, Tapia et al 2017). North America in winter (Harmata 2002, McIntyre 2012, Domenech et al 2015. Work in other systems has shown the relevance of carry over effects on avian demography (Webster 2002, Boulet and Norris 2006, Both et al 2010, Newton 2004.…”

Section: Land Cover Habitat Associations Over Time Winter Home Rangementioning

confidence: 99%

Space Use and Habitat Associations of Long-Distance Migratory First-Year Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) from Interior Alaska in a Changing Landscape

Paulson¹

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Understanding a species space use and habitat associations is integral to comprehensive wildlife management. Habitat associations change spatially and temporally and those changes may be especially dramatic for animals that cover long distances throughout their annual cycle. While many studies of habitat associations and space use concentrate on breeding season behavior, studies of migratory connectivity demonstrate how condition of habitats on nonbreeding ranges potentially affect key demographic parameters, such as survival, reproduction, and movement in other seasons. This is also important because wildlife habitats, especially land cover, are changing rapidly from both anthropogenic and natural forces in direct and indirect ways. The goal of this research was to describe (1) space use and habitat associations of a longdistance migratory avian predator, the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) during summer and winter, and (2) to assess land cover change in eagle use areas. I studied first-year Golden Eagles hatched in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska (Denali). Radio-tagged eagles spent winter in western North America and summer in Alaska and northwest Canada. The birds I studied were a subset of those radio-tagged as nestlings in Denali from 1997 to 1999. I first used three different home range models to characterize winter space use of 15 firstyear Golden Eagles hatched in Denali. Size of home ranges in winter was most biologically reasonable when measured with Kernel Density Estimates (KDEs). KDE home ranges were 4,429 to 69,478 km 2 in size and did not differ between sexes. I used land cover, topography and physiographic data to test a priori defined hypotheses to evaluate drivers of movement behavior. Ranging behavior was best explained by the presence of steep slopes and canyons and degree of topographic roughness. The presence of topographic factors were, in general, more important than presence of land cover in explaining size of home range. Results from this study further the understanding of drivers of space use and habitat associations for young Golden Eagles on their wintering grounds To characterize how land cover change may influence these Golden Eagles, I also studied how land cover changed over an 11 year period (2001-2011) within summer and winter areas used in 1997-2000 (n=16 individuals; comprising 25 seasonal ranges, 15 winter, and 10 summer). Summer home ranges calculated with Kernel Density Estimates were larger than those in winter, they ranged from 20,990 to 224,375 km 2 , and those of males were larger than those of females. Land cover within summer home ranges was predominantly shrublands (>48.0% cover). Land cover within winter eagle use areas was comprised mostly of grasslands (>47.9% cover). Change in land cover was more prevalent in areas eagles used in winter than in those they used in summer. From 2001 to 2011 in wintering areas, percent cover of Deciduous Forest decreased and percent cover of Evergreen Forest and Water increased. Over the same interval on summer range, per...

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Space Use and Habitat Selection by Adult Migrant Golden Eagles Wintering in the Western United States

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 17 publications

References 25 publications

Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA Analyses of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos canadensis) from Three Areas in Western North America; Initial Results and Conservation Implications

Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA Analyses of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos canadensis) from Three Areas in Western North America; Initial Results and Conservation Implications

A simple topographical model to predict Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos space use during dispersal

Space Use and Habitat Associations of Long-Distance Migratory First-Year Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) from Interior Alaska in a Changing Landscape

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