Booted eagles (Hieraaetus pennatus) are known to travel significant distances from their nests during migration. According to studies, these birds can travel up to 3,000 km or more to reach their wintering grounds in the Sahel region and tropical Africa.
The Distance Booted Eagles Travel During Migration
Booted eagles are a trans-Saharan migratory bird, spending their summers in their northern region in Europe to Asia and wintering in the Sahel region and tropical Africa. The distance they travel during migration can vary widely depending on the individual bird and the specific migration route taken.
According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, booted eagles breeding in Spain were tracked by GPS during migration, and it was found that their autumn routes were generally more eastern than their spring routes, showing a preference for certain migratory paths.
Another study published in the Journal of Ornithology found that all but one bird used a single wintering area, located in a narrow latitudinal band (13.5-15.5°N) about 1,500 km wide at 2,800-3,000 km from the nests. This indicates that booted eagles are capable of traveling long distances in a relatively straight line during migration.
The Distance Booted Eagles Travel During Foraging
Image source: Booted eagle By Dr. Raju Kasambe
In terms of the distance traveled by booted eagles from their nests during foraging or hunting, they have been observed to travel up to 10 km in search of food. However, this can vary widely depending on the availability of food and other factors.
Nesting Habitats of Booted Eagles
Booted eagles are known to nest in a variety of habitats, including marshes, scrublands, scattered cork oaks, stone pines, and sand dunes along coastlines. These diverse nesting habitats can be found across their breeding range, which extends from Europe to Asia.
Migration Patterns of Booted Eagles
Booted eagles are known to be trans-Saharan migrants, meaning they travel long distances between their breeding grounds in Europe and Asia and their wintering grounds in the Sahel region and tropical Africa. This migration pattern is common among many bird species that breed in the northern regions and winter in the southern regions.
Factors Affecting the Distance Traveled by Booted Eagles
The distance traveled by booted eagles from their nests can be influenced by several factors, including:
- Food Availability: The availability of food resources in the surrounding area can affect the distance the birds need to travel to find suitable prey.
- Habitat Suitability: The suitability of the nesting habitat and the surrounding environment can influence the distance the birds need to travel to find suitable resources.
- Weather Conditions: Factors such as wind, temperature, and precipitation can affect the birds’ ability to travel long distances and may influence their migration routes and patterns.
- Individual Variation: Each individual booted eagle may have its own unique preferences and behaviors that can affect the distance it travels from its nest.
Conclusion
In summary, booted eagles are known to travel significant distances from their nests during migration, with some birds traveling up to 3,000 km or more to reach their wintering grounds. They are also capable of traveling up to 10 km from their nests in search of food during the breeding season. The distance traveled by these birds can be influenced by a variety of factors, including food availability, habitat suitability, weather conditions, and individual variation.
References:
– https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1046/j.1365-2664.2000.00503.x
– https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00063657.2013.781113
– https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hieraaetus_pennatus/
– https://www.uv.es/lolopas/BS2013.pdf
– https://www.researchgate.net/figure/7-Association-among-the-distance-travelled-from-the-nest-m-by-the-tagged-booted_fig2_311626290
