Spatial ecology and behaviour of Canarian Egyptian vultures
Vultures are a group of globally threatened birds deserving increasing attention in conservation. However, as happens with other long-lived birds with deferred maturity, their ecology during the pre-breeding stage is a major knowledge gap largely precluding the application of evidence-based management. The aim of our research is to deepen into the spatial and movement ecology of the endemic Canarian Egyptian vulture during the pre-breeding stage in relation to the availability and predictability of resources and environmental constraints. We take advantage of a long-term monitoring program of this population (18 years) which has resulted in 90% of the population individually identified. Moreover, 48 individuals are currently marked with GPS devices which have provided more than 19 million of fixes. We will deepen into the between-individual foraging strategies in relation to human-related feeding resources varying in spatial-temporal predictability (farms and vulture restaurants). Then, we will examine which factors determine the asymmetric use of livestock exploitations by individual birds. The next step will be to identify those factors influencing local farmers' perception about ecosystem services provided by the vultures. In addition, we also aim to determine the factors influencing variability between individuals in the use of roosting resources (power lines). Finally, we will develop sensitivity maps in relation to existing and planned wind farms in an attempt to reconcile vulture conservation and wind energy development.