Apparent Survival of Territorial Golden Eagles Using Non-Invasive Genetic Profiling.

ABSTRACT: Conservation efforts for large raptors require robust estimates of fecundity, age at maturity and survivorship and population trajectories are often particularly sensitive to change in adult survival rates. Our study estimated apparent survival rates in territorial range-holding Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos in Scotland, based on DNA extracted from moulted feathers to profile individuals genetically: the first study for this species using the method. Feathers were collected at or close to nest sites involving 104 territorial individuals, across 4 years (2006-2009), with repeat-sampling in 21% of 442 occupied home ranges. Genetic profiles identifying individuals' detection/non-detection were analysed to estimate annual apparent survival rates using Cormack-Jolly-Seber models. Our m

SUBMITTER: Whitfield DP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12782672 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature