The diurnal Afro-alpine raptor community of the Ethiopian Bale Highlands

Clouet, M, Barrau, C & Gar, J-L. 2000. The diurnal Afro-alpine raptor community of the Ethiopian Bale Highlands. Ostrich 71(3&4): 380-384. The diurnal raptor community of the Afro-alpine level of the Bale Highlands (i.e. 3500-4000 m a.s.l.) Ethiopia was observed during eight expeditions spread over five consecutive years. Among the 25 species recorded, nine are residents, including three which nest at lower altitudes. Small mammal hunters are the most numeraus species, including a unique assemblage of various Aquila species, among which the Golden Eogle Aquila chrysaetos is the outstanding feature. Population densities are high for Golden Eagle and Verreaux's Eagle, Aquila verreauxii, Tawny and Steppe Eagles, Aquila rapox and A. niplensis, Augur Buzzard, Buteo augur and Lanner Falcon, Falco biarmicus. This is related to the abundance of prey, mainly hyraxes, hares and rodents. For the largest species, the start of breeding coincides with the onset of the dry season (Navember). The period with the largest ...