Breeding Biology of the White-Tailed Eagle in the Polesie State Radiation-Ecological Reserve, Belarus

Abstract

The biology of White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in the Polesie State Radiation-Ecological Reserve (PSRER) is shown in this article. Study area was located in zone of alienation and resettlement of theRepublic ofBelarus afterChernobyl accident. The analysis of breeding and nesting success of White-Tailed Eagle in 2005–2013 was carried out. The numbers, spatial structure and breeding density of local population were determined. Average clutch size was 2.04 eggs. Average egg measurements were 75.1×57.8±0.8 mm. Breeding success of White-Tailed Eagles in PSRER was 88.3 % and it was connected with the disturbance and predation by ravens. Occasionally the breeding success was negatively affected by heavy snowfall in early spring, as it was in 2013. Nesting success was 81.5 % and the average brood size – 1.2 fledglings. Nesting success was influenced by cannibalism, associated with the density of local populations, predation by ravens at early stage of development of chicks and aggression of older chick.

Keywords

• White-Tailed Eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla, density, spatial structure, clutch size, egg parameters, breeding success, the success of nesting, brood size, negative factors