New Data Regarding the Spatial Distribution of White-Tailed Eagle (Aves: Haliaeetus Albicilla) and their Breeding Ecology between 2009 and 2018 within the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and its Surroundings (Romania)

• Main Authors: Alexe Vasile, Alexandru C. Dorosencu, Mihai Marinov
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: CITDD Publishing House 2019-06-01
• Series: Scientific Annals of the Danube Delta Institute
• Subjects: White-tailed Eagle; nest; Haliaeetus albicilla
• Online Access: http://ddniscientificannals.ddni.ro/images//24_01.pdf

In this work we present some of the data about the nesting ecology of the White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) collected during 2009-2018 in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and its surroundings. A total of 144 different nests (occupied, unoccupied and destroyed) were recorded in this period. We also recorded 7 breeding pairs (territories) whose nests could not be identified. The preferred tree species for nesting were Salix alba with 63% of all identified nests, 17% were in Populus alba, Populus x canadensis hibrid 15%, 3% in Alnus glutinosa, 1% in Tilia tomentosa and 1% in Quercus robur. The nests were located in the tallest trees available on the site and were placed at heights between 5 and 24 meters. 67% of these were above 13 m of the ground, while 33 % below. The White-tailed Eagle nest site selection may be a response both to tree availability in the foraging habitat as well as food supply.