Breeding performance and diet of the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus L.) in Middle and Upper Sakarya Region, Turkey

Abstract

Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) is a globally endangered raptor species, whose populations are declining across its range. Although Turkey has one of the largest population in Western Palearctic Region, studies on the species are quite limited, and data on its diet in the country are almost non-existent. To fulfil some of these gaps, we undertook a study on the breeding success and the diet of the Egyptian vulture population in Middle and Upper Sakarya Region in 2013 and 2014, during which 53 territorial pairs were located. The breeding success rate of the population was 1.09 in 2013 and 1.21 in 2014, while the fledgling rates were 1.35 and 1.27, respectively. Egyptian vultures in Middle and Upper Sakarya Region have a wide diet spectrum: remains of Greek Tortoise (Testudo graeca) with 12.4 % were the most frequent items in the examined samples. Remains of sheep (Ovis aries) and fox (Vulpes vulpes) with 10 % are second most frequent item. The studied population with its high breeding parameters is of importance for the species conservation in a regional context.