April 2, 2019

Long-crested Eagle Research

Long-crested Eagle project in Kwazulu-Natal

PhD candidate, Machawe Maphalala, from the University of Kwazulu-Natal is studying the ecology of the Long-crested Eagle in Kwazulu-Natal.

The main focus of the research is to investigate how land-use change has effected habitat use of Long-crested Eagles, particularly in breeding season. The main study area covers land use gradient from urban to rural, including Durban, Pietermaritzburg and the Midlands.

Aspects of the behavior studied include home ranges, general breeding behavior, and possible food provisioning to chicks, as well as ecological factors influencing the distribution of these raptors.

FreeMe KZN has been assisting with this research by providing Maps (Machawe Maphalala) with photos, DNA collection, biometric recording, admission factors and release data on the Long-crested Eagle patients admitted to FreeMe KZN.