1994/03/01 by José A. Donázar, Olga Ceballos, José L. Tella · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Avian ecology and behavior #Animal Behavior and Reproduction #Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies #Vulture #Foraging #Zoology #Biology #Mating #Accipitridae #Ecology #Geography #Predation
paper · pdf · doi:10.1080/00063659409477195
openalex publication_date 1994/03/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
This paper presents the first detailed description of copulation behaviour in the Egyptian Vulture. The study was carried out in northern Spain during 1989– 91. Pair copulations began around 25 days before laying and were uncommon after the first egg was laid. Some copulations (11.6%) were observed during the nestling period. Two extra-pair copulation attempts were observed. The copulation behaviour of Egyptian Vultures seems to be exceptional when compared with other raptors: mate attendance was intensive, especially during the days prior to laying and copulation frequency was high even considering only those performed in the nesting territory: 55±18 copulations/female between days −¸15 and 0, and a maximum of 9 copulations/female/day during the presumed fertile period. Some copulations also occcurred during foraging trips.