Title: Fine-scale assessment of home ranges and activity patterns for resident black vultures (Coragyps atratus) and turkey vultures (Cathartes aura)

Abstract

Knowledge of black vulture (Coragyps atratus) and turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) spatial ecology is surprisingly limited despite their vital ecological roles. Fine-scale assessments of space use patterns and resource selection are particularly lacking, although development of tracking technologies has allowed data collection at finer temporal and spatial resolution. The objectives of this study were to conduct the first assessment of monthly home range and core area sizes of resident black and turkey vultures with consideration to sex, as well as elucidate differences in monthly, seasonal, and annual activity patterns based on fine-scale movement data analyses. We collected 2.8-million locations for 9 black and 9 turkey vultures from June 2013 –August 2015 using solar-powered GSM/GPS transmitters. We quantified home ranges and core areas using the dynamic Brownian bridge movement model and evaluated differences as a function of species, sex, and month. Mean monthly home ranges for turkey vultures were ~50% larger than those of black vultures, although mean core area sizes did not differ between species. Turkey vulture home ranges varied little across months, with exception to a notable reduction in space-use in May, which corresponds with timing of chick-rearing activities. Black vulture home ranges and core areas as well asmore » turkey vulture core areas were larger in breeding season months (January–April). Comparison of space use between male and female vultures was only possible for black vultures, and space use was only slightly larger for females during breeding months (February–May). Analysis of activity patterns revealed turkey vultures spend more time in flight and switch motion states (between flight and stationary) more frequently than black vultures across temporal scales. Our study reveals substantive variability in space use and activity rates between sympatric black and turkey vultures, providing insights into potential behavioral mechanisms contributing to niche differentiation between these species.« less

Authors:

Holland, Amanda E. ;

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Byrne, Michael E.; Bryan, A. Lawrence; DeVault, Travis L.; Rhodes, Olin E.; Beasley, James C.; Margalida, ed., Antoni

Publication Date:

Wed Jul 05 00:00:00 EDT 2017

Research Org.:

Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1367937

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1393180

Grant/Contract Number:  

FC09-07SR22506; 13-7439-0959-CA

Resource Type:

Published Article

Journal Name:

PLoS ONE

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: PLoS ONE Journal Volume: 12 Journal Issue: 7; Journal ID: ISSN 1932-6203

Publisher:

Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES