Deforestation May Trigger Black-and-Chestnut Eagle (Spizaetus isidori) Predation on Domestic Fowl

Abstract

In anthropogenically transformed habitats, some birds of prey feed on domestic animals, triggering conflict between people and predators. To manage this conflict, it is important to understand the ecological circumstances associated with the predation of domestic animals. We studied variation in the diet of the endangered Black-and-chestnut Eagle (Spizaetus isidori) in four different Andean landscapes in Colombia. We analyzed 261 prey items brought to five S. isidori nests during the period when the nestlings were being raised. Domestic fowl are relatively frequent prey in the diet of S. isidori in three of the four localities studied (frequency: 9.3%-36%), representing 12.2% to 37.1% of the total biomass of prey consumed. In terms of biomass, in Ciudad Bol ıvar, Jard ın, and Campohermoso, the sites with the greatest forest cover, mammals were the most important prey in the diet of S. isidori, while in Gachalá, the most deforested site, domestic fowl were the most important prey. We recommend that forest cover be maintained and increased to provide habitat for wild prey in the breeding territories of S. isidori using the landscape management tools best suited to the specific socioecological contexts of this eagle's territories. We also suggest that the management of domestic fowl under controlled conditions or the use of some deterrent be examined as strategies to mitigate or prevent conflict between people and S. isidori. Socioecological research and educational programs should be carried out to increase the public's understanding of this eagle and its benefits to the ecosystem.

Human-raptor conflict in rural settlements of Colombia

“…The second location is in the municipality of Campohermoso, Boyacá Department, on the western slope of the Eastern Andes, where two sites were surveyed at Castañal-Macanalito (05˚03'N, 73˚08´W) and Huerta Vieja (05˚03'N, 73˚09'W), at a mean elevation of 2,013 m a.s.l. This landscape is a mosaic of Andean forests, cattle pastures, and heterogeneous agricultural areas, along with shrubby and herbaceous vegetation [5]. The third location, in the municipality of Gigante, Huila Department, on the eastern slope of the Eastern Andes, has a landscape of mixed agricultural crops, open areas for cattle, human settlements and relicts of secondary and primary Andean forest (obs.…”

“…Tropical deforestation has created a mosaic of landscapes with different degrees of cover and types of use, with some of the original vegetation cover being replaced by anthropic habitats [1,2]. This has increased the frequency of interaction between rural inhabitants and forest species, among them raptors and felines [3,4,5]. These predators usually modify their diet by feeding on domesticated animals, which are more available in anthropized environments [5,6,7], thus affecting human well-being, and creating human-wild life conflict.…”

“…This has increased the frequency of interaction between rural inhabitants and forest species, among them raptors and felines [3,4,5]. These predators usually modify their diet by feeding on domesticated animals, which are more available in anthropized environments [5,6,7], thus affecting human well-being, and creating human-wild life conflict. This conflict can lead to the persecution of the predators, which is particularly worrisome in the case of threatened species whose populations are already decreasing [8,9,10].…”

“…The Black-and-chestnut Eagle (Spizaetus isidori) lives in dense mountain forests throughout the Andes [34]. In Colombia, based on the systematic monitoring of nests, we found that as forest cover decreases in the breeding territories of S. isidori, the importance of domestic fowl, mainly chickens (Gallus gallus), in their diet increases [5]. It is estimated that Colombia's S. isidori population includes 160 to 360 pairs, with a worldwide population of less than 1000 adults.…”

“…The persecution of S. isidori represents an important threat to this species in the country [36,37,38,39]. In recent years, the original suspicion that the eagle was hunting domestic fowl as part of its diet has been clearly documented [5,40], resulting in its direct persecution.…”