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Ecology and breeding biology of Lanner Falcons in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

- Stephenson, Alan

Authors: Stephenson, Alan
Date: 2001
Subjects: Birds -- Breeding , Birds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Birds -- Ecology , Falcons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
Identifier: vital:5667 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005352 , Birds -- Breeding , Birds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Birds -- Ecology , Falcons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Description: Lanner Falcons Falco biarmicus are the commonest large falcons in Africa and this study in the coastal area of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa investigated their ecology from 1984 to 2000. Lanners have recently been categorised as near-threatened and this study was initiated to ascertain if the population was stable. Breeding success of a small population, in different habitat types, was monitored intensively from 1997 to 2000, and the factors that inhibited breeding were investigated. The earliest onset of incubation was 17 July and the latest 16 August, with 2.2 young fledged per breeding pair over the four-year period. Incubation lasted 32 days and young fledged after 42-45 days. All nest sites were on cliffs with a mean height of 114 m, a mean vertical face of 53 m; 45% of the nests were in ravens’ nests. The aspect of cliff sites also influenced breeding success. Radio tracking was used to determine home range, habitat use and hunting methods, with prey species identified. Home ranges were between 66 km² and 249 km². Preferred prey was domestic chickens, pigeons and small birds during the breeding season. Foraging ranges were smaller in intensively cultivated areas with seed crops. Data obtained from ringing returns showed that no long distance movements occurred in this region, but two juveniles dispersed 152 km and 127 km. Conservation aspects with possible threats to Lanner Falcons such as poisons, electrocutions and direct persecution are discussed with some recommendations made for future research. Evidence from this study indicates that Lanner breeding success is not limited by nest site availability, but by rainfall timing and prey availability. Lanners foraged more in open areas than areas with tall vegetation, and benefited from intensive agriculture. This population appeared to be healthy and in no danger of declining in the near future.
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Date Issued: 2001

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Cape and Gurney's Sugerbird habitat, Hoho Peak, Pirie Mountain, King William's Town, Ciskei, 1402 m asl

- Skead, C J (Cuthbert John)

Authors: Skead, C J (Cuthbert John)
Date: 1963
Subjects: Sugarbirds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Birds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cliffortia -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Type: still image
Identifier: vital:12364 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013771
Description: Looking westwards from top of Hoho Peak (Pirie West Peak) over Protea thickets in immediate foreground to the mid-picture ridge covered in Cliffortia fynbos and which might once have held dense Protea subvestita and /or Protea multibracteata thickets. Some of the latter still growing below the subvestita thickets there. iNtaba knNdoda Peak in distance.
Full Text: false
Date Issued: 1963

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Pirie Mountain, King William's Town

- Skead, C J (Cuthbert John)

Authors: Skead, C J (Cuthbert John)
Date: 1963
Subjects: Sugarbirds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Birds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Type: still image
Identifier: vital:12365 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013772
Description: Cape and Gurney Sugerbird Promerops cafer & Gurneyi country. The left-hand dome is Hoho Peak, or Pirie West Peak, on the western slopes of which both species where found occupying and nesting in a thicket of tall, dense Protea subvestita, almost the last patch of any size on these mountains. The dark areas on the slopes are protea trees. Those on top had been burned out. Such thickets would have been more widespread in the past. Below are some Protea multibracteata plants. The thickets of subvestita were burnt out in the late 1960's to make way for stock grazing.
Full Text: false
Date Issued: 1963

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Mount Thomas on the inner range of the Amathole Mountains between Hogsback to the west and Dohne Peak above Stutterheim to the east

- Skead, C J (Cuthbert John)

Authors: Skead, C J (Cuthbert John)
Date: 1959-06-01
Subjects: Protea subvestita -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Protea multibracteata -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sugarbirds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Birds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Type: still image
Identifier: vital:12361 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013768
Description: This whole range could well have been covered in both Protea subvestita and Protea multibracteata before being heavily overstocked with cattle. Even on the flats in the foreground relict patches of multibracteata occurred until the 1970's. Good populations of sugarbirds could therefore have existed.
Full Text: false
Date Issued: 1959-06-01

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