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1 September 2009 Unusual Raptor Nests Around The World
David H. Ellis, Tim Craig, Erica Craig, Sergej Postupalsky, Charles T. LaRue, R. Wayne Nelson, Daniel W. Anderson, Charles J. Henny, Jeff Watson, Brian A. Millsap, James W. Dawson, Kenneth L. Cole, Elwood M. Martin, Antoni Margalida, Peter Kung
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

From surveys in many countries, we report raptors using unusual nesting materials (e.g., paper money, rags, metal, antlers, and large bones) and unusual nesting situations. For example, we documented nests of Steppe Eagles [Aquila nipalensis] and Upland Buzzards [Buteo hemilasius] on the ground beside well-traveled roads, Saker Falcon [Falco cherrug] eyries in attics and a cistern, and Osprey [Pandion haliaetus] nests on the masts of boats and on a suspended automobile. Other records include a Golden Eagle [A. chrysaetos] nest 7.0 m in height, believed to be the tallest nest ever described, and, for the same species, we report nesting in rudimentary nests. Some nest sites are within a few meters of known predators or competitors. These unusual observations may be important in revealing the plasticity of a species' behavioral repertoire.

David H. Ellis, Tim Craig, Erica Craig, Sergej Postupalsky, Charles T. LaRue, R. Wayne Nelson, Daniel W. Anderson, Charles J. Henny, Jeff Watson, Brian A. Millsap, James W. Dawson, Kenneth L. Cole, Elwood M. Martin, Antoni Margalida, and Peter Kung "Unusual Raptor Nests Around The World," Journal of Raptor Research 43(3), 175-198, (1 September 2009). https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-08-110.1
Received: 5 December 2008; Accepted: 1 April 2009; Published: 1 September 2009
KEYWORDS
Buzzard
eagle
falcon
hawk
nest
nest materials
owl
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