Insights into post-fledging dispersal of Bearded Vultures Gypaetus barbatus in southern Africa from GPS satellite telemetry

Capsule: Fledglings progressively increase their home range size and ranging behaviour as they age.

Aims: To examine the home range size and ranging behaviour of Bearded Vulture fledglings during the post-fledging dependence period and determine the onset of natal dispersal.

Methods: Post-fledging movements of three individuals were investigated in southern Africa using global positioning system (GPS) satellite telemetry which enabled home range sizes and distances travelled from the nest to be calculated.

Results: Fledglings increased their home range size from an average of 0.4–10 999?km² (100% Minimum Convex Polygons) and 9.13–11 466?km² (fixed 95% kernels) within the first six months post fledging. They also increased home range use as they aged with maximum daily distances travelled from the nest occurring between 98 and 136 days post fledging (when fledglings were aged between 222 and 262 days), after which time they dispersed from their natal area. Distances between fixes were highest during the dispersal period.

Conclusion: GPS satellite telemetry allows us to accurately demonstrate how fledglings progressively increase and use their home ranges as they age and undertake pre-dispersive exploratory flights. Results confirm the notion that juveniles disperse at the onset of the following breeding season and suggest that dispersal occurs earlier in the southern hemisphere.