Route and site fidelity of two migratory raptors: Grey-faced Buzzards Butastur indicus and Honey-buzzards Pernis apivorus

Abstract

In order to examine fidelity to migration route, breeding, wintering, and stopover sites, we analyzed the migration of two adult Grey-faced Buzzards Butastur indicus and an adult Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus that were satellite-tracked in East Asia for more than two migration seasons. The Grey-faced Buzzards showed a high degree of route fidelity across seasons and years. On the other hand, the migration routes of the Honey-buzzard were distinctly different between fall and spring seasons, whereas, within each season they were roughly similar between years. All three raptors were strictly faithful to their breeding and wintering sites. They also showed fidelity to several stopover sites in which the raptors stayed for relatively long periods to replenish energy. Our findings have important implications for the conservation of the migratory raptors.