The movement ecology of Harpy Eagles (Harpia harpyja) is poorly known due to the difficulty observing this species. We studied the movements of two juvenile Harpy Eagles before and during dispersal using GPS satellite telemetry in the Reserva de Producción Faunística Cuyabeno, Ecuador. Both eagles were tagged at their respective nest tree. For each eagle, we calculated the daily distance moved and the distance from each recorded position to the nest. One eagle started dispersal during its 28th month, while at the same age the other eagle remained in its nest area, suffering repeated parental attacks that may have caused its death. The juvenile that dispersed moved a maximum of 35.1 km from the nest and occupied an area of 386 km2. The long post-fledging and dispersal periods underscore the importance of directing conservation plans toward juveniles as well as adults. In addition, dispersal movements that are close to the natal nest facilitate the delimitation of areas for protection of Harpy Eagle nests.
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1 December 2017
Juvenile Dispersal of Harpy Eagles (Harpia harpyja) in Ecuador
Vicente Urios,
Ruth Muñiz-López,
Javier Vidal-Mateo
Journal of Raptor Research
Vol. 51 • No. 4
December 2017
Vol. 51 • No. 4
December 2017
AMAZON
dispersal
Harpia harpyja
Harpy Eagle
movement ecology
parental aggression
satellite telemetry