A recently fledged Little Eagle, showing her uplifted crest.
THE BREEDING SUCCESS AND DIET OF LITTLE EAGLES IN THE ACT AND NEARBY NSW IN A DRY YEAR, 2019
Rae, S., Mulvaney, M., Fletcher, D., Wimpenny, C., Brawata, R., Kiggins, R., Stol, J., Davies, M., Roberts, D., and Olsen, P. (2020). The breeding success and diet of Little Eagles in the ACT and nearby NSW in a dry year, 2019. Canberra Bird Notes 44: 145-151. Open pdf
Abstract. Fourteen Little Eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides) territories have been identified in the ACT in three years of study, although not all have been occupied in all years. In the ACT in 2019, spring rainfall was well below average and maximum temperatures above average. A minimum of ten pairs of Little Eagles were located in the ACT during the 2019–2020 breeding season. Nine pairs had nests and at least six laid eggs. A minimum of three pairs successfully fledged a chick each. Of four pairs that were monitored in nearby NSW, single chicks were successfully reared by three pairs and one nesting attempt was disrupted during incubation by a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles (Aquila audax). Overall breeding success was lower than for 2018 but similar to 2017. The main prey types were: mammals (50%) of which rabbit was the main species; small/medium-sized birds (43%); and reptiles (7%). Similar proportions of mammals, birds and reptiles were eaten in 2019 and 2018, and a
higher proportion of mammals than in 2017.
Proportions of food types in the remains of Little Eagle prey collected during the breeding season in the ACT and nearby NSW in 2017 (n = 109), 2018 (n = 131) and 2019 (n = 96).
This year's report shows that Little Eagle breeding success was lower in 2019 than in the previous two years, which were also low. It was dry in the study area in all three years, especially so in 2019, and potential prey species were likely low in abundance. Rabbit has been the most commonly taken prey item over the three years of study and it is likely that drought conditions have affected their numbers and those of the other main prey, small-medium sized birds. These results show how it is important to study such birds as raptors over several or more years as long-term data are more likely to reveal any causes for their breeding success than single or even three years' data.