利用多旋翼微型飞行器监测天山地区高山兀鹫繁殖简报

高山兀鹫(Gyps himalayensis)喜在山崖绝壁上营巢,海拔2 400~4 800 m的野外高空作业攀爬危险,观察难度较大。2014年4~9月,笔者在新疆天山中段尝试用国产遥控多旋翼微型飞行器寻找和拍摄高山兀鹫巢穴,结合路线搜索法和行为扫描法,进行栖息地调查、巢数统计、巢材分析,以及窝卵(雏)数、雏鸟生长与发育、繁殖周期、食性及食物分析。在7个地点的14个巢区的调查统计表明,高山兀鹫喜欢在朝南的崖壁上集群营巢(78.6%朝南,n=112),最长的一个繁殖地绵延7.3 km,距另外一个较近的巢区约47 km。巢材以禾草为主,如早熟禾(Poa spp.)、针茅(Stipa spp.)、老芒麦(Elymus sibiricus)等,缺乏粗大枝条。高山兀鹫1~2月产卵,窝卵数为1枚(n=21),整个繁殖周期长达8~9个月(1~10月份)。

Telecraft Monitoring on the Breeding Ecology of Himalayan Griffon Vulture Gyps himalayensis in Tianshan Mountains

Himalayan Griffon or Himalayan Vulture (Gyps himalayensis) is almost endemic to China. It is relatively rare in neighboring nations. It is known to people as a mysterious highland raptor species. Many people found this bird species disgusting because they scavenge on dead bodies, especially when people learn that they were actually feeding on human fresh in the stunning sky-burial ceremony. Other than that, few were known about their living cycle. Himalayan GriffonThe Vulture Gyps himalayensis is preference to nest on the cliffs (elevation from 2400 m to 4800 m), it is very dangerous to climb the cliff to observe the reproductive process. From April to September, 2014, we tried to find and shoot monitor the nest with domestic micro air vehicle (MAV or UAV monitoring). We also used the route search method and behavioral scanning method, conducted habitat surveys, nest number statistics, analysis of nest material, egg or young number count, nestling growth and development, reproduction cycles, diet and food analysis. Most of vultures built their nests on the southern slope facing the sun (c. 78.6%, n=112). The nest materials were consisted of mainly fine reeds such as Poa spp., Elymus spp.), Stipa spp., Agropyron cristatum, Elymus sibiricus and that was rather different from that of other raptors. This demonstrates that Himalayan Vulture have a very delicate heart for their nest and chick. The clutch size is only one (n=21). Breeding cycle included nest building from January to March, egg laying from Jan to Apr (different times), egg sitting from Apr to Jun, and young birds leaving the nests from Jul to Oct. Chick raising lasted as long as 3-4 months, and the longest being 5 months (hatching in March, leaving nest in August). That was relatively long indeed.