Aerial identification and quantification of nesting sites of Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) in the mountain ranges of central Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

Authors

  • Gonzalo De León-Girón Universidad Autónoma de Baja California
  • Diego Toscano Universidad Autónoma de Baja California
  • Gorgonio Ruiz-Campos Universidad Autónoma de Baja California https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1790-456X
  • C. Porras Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas
  • F. Escoto Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas
  • V. Sánchez Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas
  • C. Montes Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas
  • J. Vargas Espacios Naturales y Desarrollo Sustentable
  • I. Cruz Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo
  • R.N. Fisher Western Ecological Research Center

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2024.95.5247

Keywords:

Aereal census, Baja California Peninsula, Golden Eagle, Nesting areas

Abstract

Aerial census for identification and quantification of nesting sites of Golden Eagle was performed through the mountain ranges of the central Baja California Peninsula, Mexico from 5 to 8 April 2021. We identified a total of 113 nests and 12 territories of Golden Eagle on a sampling trajectory of 1,203 km that encompassed a surface of 176,000 ha. The highest abundance of nests (n = 57) was recorded between 29º and 30º N latitudes with elevations ranging between 600 and 700 m (n = 35) in the Valle de Los Cirios Protected Natural Area, which is mainly associated with mountain biotopes with steep cliffs and ample alluvial valleys that promote foraging and nesting sites for this species. The number of nests of Golden Eagle showed an inverse relationship with the altitude along a latitudinal gradient. This study reports new nesting sites of Golden Eagle in the central peninsular region that includes the mountain ranges of Matomí, Jaraguay, and La Libertad.

Author Biographies

Gonzalo De León-Girón, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Profesor-Investigador, Laboratorio de Vertebrados, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California.

Diego Toscano, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Estudiante del programa de Maestría en Ciencias en Manejo de Ecosistemas de Zonas Áridas, Ensenada, Baja California, México.

 

Gorgonio Ruiz-Campos, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Profesor-investigador de Tiempo Completo en la Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Facultad de Ciencias, Laboatorio de Vertebrados y Cuerpo Académico Estudios Relativos a la Biodiversidad.

C. Porras, Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas

Researcher of the California Condor project, National Commission of Protected Natural Areas, Sierra San Pedro Mártir, Baja California, Mexico.

F. Escoto, Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas

Researcher at Protection Area of Flora and Fauna in Valle de Los Cirios, Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico

 

V. Sánchez, Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas

Researcher at Protection Area of Flora and Fauna in Valle de Los Cirios, Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico

C. Montes, Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas

Researcher at El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico

J. Vargas, Espacios Naturales y Desarrollo Sustentable

Researcher at Natural Spaces and Sustainable Development, México City

I. Cruz, Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo

Researcher at United Nations Development Programme, México City

R.N. Fisher, Western Ecological Research Center

Researcher at the United States Geological Survey, San Diego, California, USA

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2024-02-20

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ECOLOGÍA