Similar post-fledging behavior observed in wild and reintroduced juvenile Bonelli’s Eagle in two Mediterranean islands (Egea-Casas et al., 2023).

Reintroduction projects for species conservation are increasingly popular but come with high costs and potential failure, making their effectiveness critical to assess. The post-fledging dependency period (PFDP) in raptors, when juveniles face dangers without fully developed skills, is a crucial stage for survival. Comparing PFDP patterns of reintroduced and wild individuals can inform future conservation efforts. This study analyzed the behavior of 38 juvenile Bonelli’s Eagles (Aquila fasciata), 15 reintroduced in Mallorca (Spain) and 23 wild in Sicily (Italy), tracked with GPS telemetry over a 9-year period. We compared movement parameters such as the age of first flight, age of dispersal, PFDP length, revisits to natal or release sites, and residence time in those areas. Results showed similar movement patterns for both groups, though wild eagles dispersed earlier and revisited the natal site more often. Behavioral patterns were also similar, with wild eagles displaying a more abrupt progression and developing traveling and hunting behaviors sooner. These differences are likely linked to food availability, which can affect body condition and delay dispersal, and parental presence, which may hasten juvenile independence. In conclusion, reintroduced Bonelli’s Eagles can adapt successfully to their environment, behaving similarly to wild eagles. This study offers valuable insights for improving reintroduction projects and conservation strategies for this endangered species.

· Enlace https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duad037

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Una iniciativa de

Ayuda PTR2022-001249 financiada por:

UNION EUROPEA - FONDO EUROPEO DE DESARROLLO REGIONAL

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Similar post-fledging behavior observed in wild and reintroduced juvenile Bonelli’s Eagle in two Mediterranean islands (Egea-Casas et al., 2023).