Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Breeding biology of Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus in north-central Kazakhstan

  • Original article
  • Published:
Journal of Ornithology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The ecology and conservation status of Central Asian populations of Montagu’s Harriers Circus pygargus are poorly known. We studied the breeding biology of this species during 3 years in the Naurzum region, north-central Kazakhstan. Most Montagu’s Harriers in the study area nested in the forest-steppe transition area, in bushy areas dominated by dogrose Rosa canina, which was apparently the nesting vegetation type providing highest and densest nest cover in the study area. Laying occurred from 26 April to 7 June (average 13 May, n = 49) and, although it varied significantly between years, was earlier than in western European populations of similar latitude. Mean (±SD) clutch size was 4.44 ± 0.86 (range 2–6; n = 50), in the higher range observed for the species. There was no significant interannual variation in clutch size, despite large variations in the abundance of small mammals in the area. Diet was mainly composed of lizards (54.2%, n = 533 identified prey in all 3 years), with small mammals (17.1%), passerine birds (14.3%) and insects (13.6%) also being consumed. Mean brood size at the last visit was 2.55 ± 2.10 (range 0–6; n = 51). Failure rate was relatively high; the main identified cause of nest failure was predation. We compare the data obtained in this population breeding in natural steppes with breeding parameters from the well-studied western European populations, and discuss the implications for the conservation of this species.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arnold JM, Hatch JJ, Nisbet ICT (2004) Seasonal declines in reproductive success of the common tern Sterna hirundo: timing or parental quality? J Avian Biol 35:33–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arroyo B (1995) Breeding ecology and nest dispersion of Montagu’s harrier Circus pygargus in Central Spain. PhD thesis, University of Oxford

  • Arroyo BE, Garcia JT (2006) Diet composition influences annual breeding success of Montagu’s harriers (Circus pygargus) feeding on diverse prey. Bird Study 53:73–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Arroyo B, García J (2008) El aguilucho cenizo y el aguilucho pálido en España. Población en 2006 y método de censo. SEO/BirdLife, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Arroyo BE, Leroux ABA, Bretagnolle V (1998) Patterns of egg and clutch size variations in Montagu’s harriers. J Raptor Res 32:136–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Arroyo BE, García JT, Bretagnolle V (2002) Conservation of the Montagu’s harrier (Circus pygargus) in agricultural areas. Anim Conserv 5:283–290

    Google Scholar 

  • Arroyo BE, Bretagnolle V, García JT (2003) Land use, agricultural practices and conservation of Montagu’s Harrier. In: Thompson DBA, Redpath SM, Marquiss M (eds) Raptors in a changing environment. JNCC, Peterborough

    Google Scholar 

  • Arroyo BE, Garcia JT, Bretagnolle V (2004) Circus pygargus Montagu’s harrier. BWP Update 6:41–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Bijlsma RG, Blomert AM, Van Manen W, Quist M (1993) Ecologische Atlas van de Nederlands Roofvogels. Schuyt, Harlem

    Google Scholar 

  • Birdlife International (2004) Birds in Europe, population estimates, trends and conservation status. Bird Conservation Series no. 12

  • Bragin EA (2003) Osobennosti rasprostraneniya, chislennosti I nekotorye cherty ekologii stepnogo lunya (Circus macrourus) v Kustanaiskoi oblasti. Distribution, number and some features of ecology of the pallid harrier (Circus macrourus) in Kustanai region//Selevinia, 2003, pp 145–149. In Russian

  • Butet A, Leroux ABA (2001) Effects of agriculture development on vole dynamics and conservation of Montagu’s harrier in western French wetlands. Biol Conserv 100:289–295

    Google Scholar 

  • Castaño JP (1995) Ecología reproductiva del aguilucho cenizo Circus pygargus en el campo de Montiel. Un estudio aplicado a la conservación. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Madrid

  • Castaño JP (1997) Fenología de puesta y parametros reproductivos en una población de aguilucho cenizo en el campo de Montiel. Ardeola 44:51–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Claro JC (2000) Ecologia reproductiva do Tartaranhao-caçador Circus pygargus (L.) na regiao de Evora. MSc thesis, University of Evora

  • Corbacho C, Sanchez JM (2000) Clutch size and egg size in the breeding strategy of Montagu’s harrier Circus pygargus in a Mediterranean area. Bird Study 47:245–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Corbacho C, Sánchez JM, Sánchez A (1997) Breeding biology of Montagu’s harrier Circus pygargus L. in agricultural environments of southwest Spain; comparison with other populations in the western Palearctic. Bird Study 44:166–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Cormier JC (1985) La reproduction du busard cendré Circus pygargus L. dans deux sites de l’Ouest de la France. Oiseau Rev Fr Ornithol 55:107–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Cramp S, Simmons KEL (1980) The birds of the western Palearctic, vol 2. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Del Hoyo J, Elliott A, Sargatal J (eds) (1994) New world vultures to guineafowl. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol 2. Lynx, Barcelona, Spain

    Google Scholar 

  • Donald PF, Green RE, Heath MF (2001) Agricultural intensification and the collapse of Europe’s farmland bird populations

  • Faralli U (1994) Breeding biology, habitat selection and conservation of Montagu’s harrier Circus pygargus I the northern Apeninnes, Italy. In: Meyburg B-U, Chancellor RD (eds) Raptor conservation today. Proceedings of the IV world conference on birds of prey and owls. Berlin, Germany, 10–17 May 1994, Pica, London

  • Ferguson-Lees J, Christie DA (2001) Raptors of the world. Helm, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Forsman D (1999) The Raptors of Europe and the Middle East. A Handbook of Field Identification, 2nd edn. Black, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hays C (1971) Essai sur la biologie de reproduction du Busard cendré (Circus pygargus) dans le Morbihan. Ar Vran 4:1–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Katzner TE (2003) Ecology and behaviour of four coexisting eagle species at Naurzum Zapovednik, Kazakhstan. PhD thesis, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

  • Katzner TE, Bragin EA, Knick ST, Smith AT (2005) Relationships between demographics and diet specificity of imperial eagles Aquila heliaca in Kazakhstan. Ibis 147:576–586

    Google Scholar 

  • Katzner TE, Bragin EA, Knock ST, Smith AT (2006) Spatial structure in the diet of imperial eagles Aquila heliaca in Kazakhstan. J Avian Biol 37:594–600

    Google Scholar 

  • Koks BJ, Van Scharenburg K, Visser EG (2001) Grauwe Kiekendieven Circus pygargus in Nederland: balanceren tussen hoop en vrees. Limosa 74:121–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Koks BJ, Trierweiler C, Visser EG, Dijkstra C, Komdeur J (2007) Do voles make agricultural habitat attractive to Montagu’s harrier Circus pygargus? Ibis 149:575–586

    Google Scholar 

  • Korpimäki E, Wiehn J (1998) Clutch size of kestrels: seasonal decline and experimental evidence for food limitation under fluctuation food conditions. Oikos 83:259–272

    Google Scholar 

  • Krogulec J, Leroux ABA (1994) Breeding ecology of Montagu’s harrier Circus pygargus on natural and reclaimed marshes in Poland and France. In: Meyburg B-U, Chancellor RD (eds) Raptor conservation today proceedings of the IV world conference on birds of prey and owls. Berlin

  • Lambin X, Bretagnolle V, Yoccoz NG (2006) Vole population cycles in northern and southern Europe: is there a need for different explanations for single pattern? J Anim Ecol 75:340–349

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Limiñana R, Soutullo A, Urios V, Surroca M (2006) Vegetation height selection in Montagu’s harriers (Circus pygargus) breeding in a natural habitat. Ardea 94:80–284

    Google Scholar 

  • Limiñana R, Soutullo A, Urios V (2007) Autumn migration of Montagu’s harriers (Circus pygargus) tracked by satellite telemetry. J Ornithol 148:517–523

    Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald PG, Olsen P, Cockburn A (2004) Weather dictates reproductive success and survival in the Australian brown falcon Falco berigora. J Anim Ecol 73(4):683–692

    Google Scholar 

  • Madders M (2003) Hen harrier Circus cyaneus foraging activity in relation to habitat and prey. Bird study 50:55–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Martelli D, Sandri V (1991) Status ed ecologia riproduttiva dell’albanella minore (Circus pygargus) in Emilia-Romagna. Analisis conclusiva. In: Montemaggiori A (ed) Atti V Convegno Italiano di Ornitologia. Bracciano, 4–8 Ottobre 1989. Ricerche di Biologia della Selvaggina 17:49–52

  • Mayfield H (1975) Suggestions for calculating nest success. Wilson Bull 87:456–466

    Google Scholar 

  • Millon A, Bourrioux JL, Riols C, Bretagnolle V (2002) Comparative biology of hen Harrier and Montagu’s harrier: an 8-year study in north-eastern France. Ibis 144:94–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Millon A, Bretagnolle V, Leroux A (2004) Busard Cendré. Circus pygargus. In: Thiollayy JM, Bretagnolle V (eds) Rapaces nicheurs de France. Distribution, effectif et conservation. Delachaux et Niestlé, Paris, pp 70–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Mougeot F, Bretagnolle V (2006) Breeding biology of the red kite Milvus milvus in Corsica. Ibis 148:436–448

    Google Scholar 

  • Newton I, Marquiss M (1984) Seasonal trend in the breeding performance of sparrowhawks. J Anim Ecol 53:809–829

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen JT, Moller AP (2006) Effects of food abundance, density and climate change on reproduction in the sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus. Oecologia 149:505–518

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Onofre N (1995) A reproduçao da águia caçadeira Circus pygargus en Portugal. Alytes 7:481–494

    Google Scholar 

  • Pandolfi M, Giacchini P (1991) Distribuzione e successo riproduttivo di albanella minore Circus pygargus nell Marche. Riv Ital Ornitol 61:25–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Pérez Chiscano JL, Fernández Cruz M (1971) Sobre Grus grus y Circus pygargus em Extremadura. Ardeola (special volume), 509–574

  • Potapov ER (1997) What determine the population density and reproductive success of the rough-legged buzzard, Buteo lagopus, in the Siberian tundra? Oikos 78:362–376

    Google Scholar 

  • Salamolard M (1998) Stratégie d’utilisation des resources chez une espèce de rapace semi-colonial, le Busard cendré (Circus pygargus). Thèse de doctorat, Université de Tours

    Google Scholar 

  • Salamolard M, Butet A, Bretagnolle V, Leroux A (2000) Responses of avian predator to variations in prey density at a temperate latitude. Ecology 81:2428–2441

    Google Scholar 

  • Sergio F (2003a) Relationship between laying dates of black kites Milvus migrans and spring temperatures in Italy: rapid responses to climate change? J Avian Biol 34:144–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Sergio F (2003b) From individual behaviour to population pattern: weather-dependent foraging and breeding performance in black kites. Anim Behav 66:1109–1117

    Google Scholar 

  • Steenhof K (1987) Assessing raptor reproductive success and productivity. In: Giron Pendleton BA, Millsap BA, Kline KW, Bird DM (eds) Raptor management techniques manual. National Wildlife Federation, Washington, DC, pp 157–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Steenhof K, Kochert MN, McDonald TL (1997) Interactive effects of prey and weather on golden eagle reproduction. J Anim Ecol 66:350–362

    Google Scholar 

  • Terraube J, Arroyo BE, Mougeot F, Madders M, Watson J, Bragin EA (2009) Breeding biology of the pallid harrier Circus macrourus in north-central Kazakhstan: implications for the conservation of a near-threatened species. Oryx (in press)

  • Trierweiler C, Koks B, Drent R, Exo KM, Komdeur J, Dijkstra C, Bairlein F (2007) Satellite tracking of two Montagu’s harriers (Circus pygargus): dual pathways during autumn migration. J Ornithol 148:513–516

    Google Scholar 

  • Tucker GM, Heath MF (1994) Birds in Europe: their conservation status. Birdlife International (Conservation series no. 3), Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Underhill-Day J (1990) The status and breeding biology of marsh harrier and Montagu’s harrier in Britain since 1900. PhD thesis, CNAA, London

  • Zhang Z, Pech R, Davis S, Dazhao S, Xinrong W, Wenquin Z (2003) Extrinsic and intrinsic factors determine the eruptive dynamics of Brandt’s vole Microtus brandti in Inner Mongolia, China. Oikos 100:299–310

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Mike Madders, Jeff Watson, Becky Wills, Ainur Akhmetova, Robert Stakim, Alexey Timoshenko and Maxim Glushkov for help with data collection, and Natural Research for funding this work. Becky Wills also acted as a translator in 2000, and Ainur Akmetova helped with translations and logistics in 2006. We also thank the current director of the Reserve, Muttakov Bagitjan Zhakezhanovich, the deputy director, Zeinelova Maria Alexandrova, and all the staff of the Naurzum Nature Reserve for help in setting up our fieldwork in the Naurzum region.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Terraube.

Additional information

Communicated by F. Bairlein.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Terraube, J., Arroyo, B.E., Mougeot, F. et al. Breeding biology of Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus in north-central Kazakhstan. J Ornithol 151, 713–722 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-010-0505-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-010-0505-0

Keywords

Navigation