The ecology and conservation of Mackinder's eagle owls (Bubo capensis mackinderi) in central Kenya in relation to agricultural land-use and cultural attitudes

• Main Author: Ogada, Darcy L
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Rhodes University 2008
• Subjects: Cape eagle owl > Kenya Cape eagle owl > Habitat > Kenya Cape eagle owl > Breeding > Kenya Cape eagle owl > Nutrition > Kenya Bubo > Kenya Wildlife conservation > Kenya Biodiversity conservation > Kenya; Cape Eagle; eurasian eagle-owl
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005353; https://corycommons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:5668

The loss of habitat to agriculture is a worldwide problem for biodiversity conservation. One species that has seemingly been able to adapt to the conversion of forests to farmlands is Mackinder’s eagle owl (Bubo capensis mackinderi), which inhabits highland areas, but little is known of its ecology, especially outside of protected areas. This study examined the impact of agricultural practices and farmer’s attitudes on the foraging and population ecology of the Mackinder’s eagle owl in central Kenya. Owl territories were monitored monthly from June 2004- October 2006 for signs of occupancy, breeding activity, mortality and to collect data on food resources. Nest site characteristics were measured for all known nests. Because previous studies showed an affinity for rodents, small mammals were trapped monthly using mark-recapture methodology. In each territory, the type and amount of farm crops were measured each month and farmers were interviewed about their knowledge and beliefs about owls. Mackinder’s eagle owls in central Kenya lived at extremely high density 0.87 owl pairs/km². This density was high compared to other populations of Mackinder’s eagle owl and to Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) populations in Europe. Breeding success was 48% over three years and this compared well with other species of eagle owl inhabiting human-disturbed areas. All nests and roosts were located in river valleys, and all successful nest sites were located on cliffs or other inaccessible rocky terrain. Nest sites were located adjacent to farms, which provided for both open hunting and an abundance of prey. Breeding activity was concentrated after the rainy seasons and this was likely linked to prey availability after the rains. Agricultural activities generally had a positive effect on rodent populations. Small mammal trapping results revealed that rodents were over 14 times more abundant in farms than in adjacent grassland habitat. This population of Mackinder’s eagle owl had a very catholic diet and consumed mostly mammalian ...