The diurnal Afro-alpine raptor community of the Ethiopian Bale Highlands

Abstract

Clouet, M, Barrau, C & Gar, J-L. 2000. The diurnal Afro-alpine raptor community of the Ethiopian Bale Highlands. Ostrich 71(3&4): 380-384. The diurnal raptor community of the Afro-alpine level of the Bale Highlands (i.e. 3500-4000 m a.s.l.) Ethiopia was observed during eight expeditions spread over five consecutive years. Among the 25 species recorded, nine are residents, including three which nest at lower altitudes. Small mammal hunters are the most numeraus species, including a unique assemblage of various Aquila species, among which the Golden Eogle Aquila chrysaetos is the outstanding feature. Population densities are high for Golden Eagle and Verreaux's Eagle, Aquila verreauxii, Tawny and Steppe Eagles, Aquila rapox and A. niplensis, Augur Buzzard, Buteo augur and Lanner Falcon, Falco biarmicus. This is related to the abundance of prey, mainly hyraxes, hares and rodents. For the largest species, the start of breeding coincides with the onset of the dry season (Navember). The period with the largest number of young raptors on the nest (February-March) corresponds to the peak in the prey papulation. Migrants and Palaearctic winter visitors are present at the same time and use the same faad resources as the breeders. The main factors isolating closely related species are diet for the Golden and Verreaux's Eagles and the period of habitat use for the Tawny and Steppe Eagles.