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Recovery distances of nestling Bald Eagles banded in Florida and implications for natal dispersal and philopatry

Journal of Raptor Research
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https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-08-94.1

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Abstract

I used band recovery data to examine distances between banding and recovery locations for 154 nestling Florida Bald Eagles and discuss the implications for understanding natal dispersal and philopatry in this species. Band recoveries occurred in 23 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces between 1931–2005. Recovery distance from the natal nest averaged longer for the youngest age classes (ANOVA: F  =  3.59; df  =  5, 153; P  =  0.005), for individuals banded in earlier decades (F  =  1.94; df  =  5, 153; P  =  0.093), and for the months of May through October (F  =  3.10; df  =  12, 153;P < 0.001). Of 35 individuals classed as mature (≥3.9 yr old when recovered; range 3.9–36.5 yr), 31 were located within Florida, which suggested a strong degree of philopatry to the natal state. Among 21 mature eagles of known sex with known banding and recovery locations in Florida, females, particularly younger birds, had longer recovery distances (N  =  9, mean  =  93 km, SE  =  22.4) than did males (N  =  12, mean  =  31 km, SE  =  5.3; t  =  2.67, df  =  19, P  =  0.026). The records examined here suggest a high degree of philopatry and relatively short natal dispersal distances, particularly in male Bald Eagles.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Recovery distances of nestling Bald Eagles banded in Florida and implications for natal dispersal and philopatry
Series title Journal of Raptor Research
DOI 10.3356/JRR-08-94.1
Volume 43
Issue 2
Year Published 2009
Language English
Publisher The Raptor Research Foundation
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Leetown
Description 6 p.
First page 127
Last page 133
Country Canada, United States
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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