Physiology can either be a product of or affect the behavior and ecology of individual animals. B... more Physiology can either be a product of or affect the behavior and ecology of individual animals. Blood plasma chemistry contains many components that are indicative of several aspects of a bird’s physiological state at the time of sampling. Plasma chemistry is routinely used in clinical settings. However, despite its potential application in ecological studies, few birds have published reference values for these parameters from wild populations. Here, we analyzed the blood plasma chemistry for 17 parameters in Short-toed Snake Eagles (Circaetus gallicus) captured in southern Spain. Most values did not differ between age classes and sexes. However, we found differences between our captive and wild populations of fledgling eagles. These differences arose primarily in parameters associated with nutritional condition, as we expected due to captive individuals being fed ad libitum prior to blood draws. We also compared urea levels and a body condition index with hatching date and found a much stronger relationship with urea than the body condition index. Our results demonstrate the necessity to obtain blood chemistry reference values from wild populations and not just captive individuals, and also illustrate how these parameters can complement other traditional data collected when handling birds in the field.
Background: A juvenile Crowned Eagle was tagged at its nest with a satellite transmitter. The Cro... more Background: A juvenile Crowned Eagle was tagged at its nest with a satellite transmitter. The Crowned Eagle (Harpyhaliaetus coronatus) is one of the most unknown raptor species from the American continent. Their current distribution ranges from central Brazil to central Argentina, with a total population of 350–1500 individuals across this large area, being thus largely fragmented. Results: During the three years of tracking the bird concentrated its movements in a range spanning for 12845 km2, but concentrating mainly in four smaller areas accounting for 3073 km2. The locations were recorded mainly over shrubland habitats (86.5%), whereas other habitats used were different types of mosaics that included cropland and natural vegetation (forest, shrubland or grassland) close to wetlands. Conclusions: The home-range estimated for this individual during the whole period was 12845 km2 (according to 95% fixed kernel). However, the bird concentrated most of its movements in smaller areas ...
Physiology can either be a product of or affect the behavior and ecology of individual animals. B... more Physiology can either be a product of or affect the behavior and ecology of individual animals. Blood plasma chemistry contains many components that are indicative of several aspects of a bird’s physiological state at the time of sampling. Plasma chemistry is routinely used in clinical settings. However, despite its potential application in ecological studies, few birds have published reference values for these parameters from wild populations. Here, we analyzed the blood plasma chemistry for 17 parameters in Short-toed Snake Eagles (Circaetus gallicus) captured in southern Spain. Most values did not differ between age classes and sexes. However, we found differences between our captive and wild populations of fledgling eagles. These differences arose primarily in parameters associated with nutritional condition, as we expected due to captive individuals being fed ad libitum prior to blood draws. We also compared urea levels and a body condition index with hatching date and found a much stronger relationship with urea than the body condition index. Our results demonstrate the necessity to obtain blood chemistry reference values from wild populations and not just captive individuals, and also illustrate how these parameters can complement other traditional data collected when handling birds in the field.
Background: A juvenile Crowned Eagle was tagged at its nest with a satellite transmitter. The Cro... more Background: A juvenile Crowned Eagle was tagged at its nest with a satellite transmitter. The Crowned Eagle (Harpyhaliaetus coronatus) is one of the most unknown raptor species from the American continent. Their current distribution ranges from central Brazil to central Argentina, with a total population of 350–1500 individuals across this large area, being thus largely fragmented. Results: During the three years of tracking the bird concentrated its movements in a range spanning for 12845 km2, but concentrating mainly in four smaller areas accounting for 3073 km2. The locations were recorded mainly over shrubland habitats (86.5%), whereas other habitats used were different types of mosaics that included cropland and natural vegetation (forest, shrubland or grassland) close to wetlands. Conclusions: The home-range estimated for this individual during the whole period was 12845 km2 (according to 95% fixed kernel). However, the bird concentrated most of its movements in smaller areas ...
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