Description of nesting and foraging habitat of the Madagascar Fish-eagle Haliaeetus vociferoides: a conservation initiative

Abstract

Watson R.T., Berkelman J., Rabarisoa R., Thorstrom R., & Watson C.R.B. 2000. Description of nesting and foraging habitat of the Madagascar Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vociferoides: a conservation initiative. Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 336–340.

Recent surveys indicate the Madagascar Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vociferoides population is about 100 breeding pairs; the species is considered among the most endangered birds of prey worldwide. This paper reports one of several studies to determine the causes of the species' rarity so that an effective species survival plan can be implemented. Nesting and foraging habitat parameters including nest, nest tree, surrounding vegetation, and adjacent water parameters, were measured at 56 nests found along the western seaboard of Madagascar. Descriptive statistics were used to look for consistent patterns among habitat parameters. While certain trends were apparent, such as always nesting within sight of water and in the largest trees, there was little evidence that would suggest negative human impact on nest site or foraging habitat availability for this species wherever large trees and water ecotones remain, yet many such sites are unoccupied. Conservation of water-forest ecotones in western Madagascar is a high priority for the survival of this species, but wider conservation measures are needed to address direct human interference and additional study is needed to fully understand habitat limitation and other possible causes of the species' rarity.

Watson R.T., Berkelman J., Rabarisoa R., Thorstrom R., & Watson C.R.B. 2000. Description du site de nidification et de chasse de I'Aigle pkheur de Madagascar Haliaeehrs vociferoides: une initiative de conservation. Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 3 3 6 340.