TITLE:
Nesting patterns of raptors; White backed vulture (Gyps africanus) and African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer), in Lochinvar National Park on the kafue flats, Zambia
AUTHORS:
Chansa Chomba, Eneya M’Simuko
KEYWORDS:
Raptors; Nest Placement; Tree Height; Lochinvar; Kafue Flats; Habitat
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.3 No.5,
August
13,
2013
ABSTRACT: This study assessed
the nesting patterns of raptors, Gyps
africanus and Haliaeetus vocifer in Lochinvar National Park. The main objective of the study was to determine
whether tree species, height, girth size, and habitat influenced raptor’s nest
placement within Lochinvar National Park. Two species were selected as indicator
species for the raptors. Habitat types and tree species were identified and
measurements of tree species with nests measured. It was found that the minimum
height of nest placement was 10 meters above ground and Acacia woodland was
found to be the most preferred habitat for nest placement. Raptors avoided human
disturbance by placing their nests at least 100 meters away from human
disturbance and from the National park boundary inwards or abandoning if human
encroachment comes close to the nest. More research is required to assess
nesting materials used, and to determine whether raptors can swap nets or
return to the abandoned nests when human disturbance ceases.