Latitude and Body Size Determine the Length of the Post-fledgling Dependence Period in Accipitridae: a Review

GALLEGO, DIEGO; SARASOLA, JOSÉ HERNÁN

Fort Lauderdale

Congreso; Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation; 2022

Raptor Research Foundation

Post-fledgling dependence period (PFDP), defined as the time elapsed since the fledgling abandons its nest to the initiation of its natal dispersal or its first migration, is a key stage in the life cycle of birds. Its development and duration can affect survival and natal dispersal of the offspring and, eventually, their future reproduction. In this work we analyzed the factors that could affect the length of the PFDP in one of the most important groups of diurnal birds of prey, the Accipitridae family (eagles, hawks and buteos). We performed an extensive literature review (n=287 papers) and a posterior meta-analysis examining the effect of variables such as latitude and body size. PFDP has been studied and established for less than half of the species (n= 99 species; 41.95%) of this family. Further, there is no data available on the PFDP of 27 species that are listed as globally threatened (vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered) by the IUCN. Concerning the factors that affect the length of PFDP, larger species and the ones that live in lower latitudes (closer to the Equator) show longer PFDP (P