A short note on a beetle infestation of a Little Eagle nest

A recently published paper on the possible effect of a beetle infestation of a Little Eagle nest and the eagles' behaviour.

Rae. S., Roberts, D. and Olsen, P. (2023). Abandonment by Little Eagles Hieraaetus morphnoides of a nest infested with beetles. Australian Field Ornithology 40: 17-19. (pdf copy)

Abstract. A pair of Little Eagles Hieraaetus morphnoides in the Australian Capital Territory was recorded (on closed-circuit camera) feeding and mating on a nest and had added a layer of green pine sprigs in preparation for egg-laying. Many beetles, likely a species of Dermestidae, were recorded in the nest during the time that the birds were there. The eagles abandoned the nest and moved to another 1.7 km away, where they laid a clutch. It is possible that the beetle infestation was the cause of abandonment.

To watch the video recording of the beetles emerging, follow the link embedded in the PDF copy of the article.

The male Little Eagle with food on the nest.

Scores of Dermestidae beetles were filmed emerging from the eagle nest, indicative that there had been as many larvae within the nest while the eagles were preparing the nest for laying eggs in the springtime. The eagles added a considerable amount of pine sprigs to the nest lining before abandoning the nest, to lay in another nest within their home range. Both these behaviour acts are typical of birds' responses to avoiding disturbance from beetle larvae. The paper is provided as a note to illustrate this behaviour, which is probably under-recorded. The evidence in this case was only recorded opportunistically as the nest was under constant surveyance with a nest camera.

The eagle pair mating on the nest prior to abandoning it.