SUCCESSFUL FOSTERING OF A CAPTIVE-BORN EGYPTIAN VULTURE (NEOPHRON PERCNOPTERUS) IN SICILY

Abstract

Successful fostering of the Endangered Egypian vulture was implemeted in 2003 in 2 sites and successfully delivered.The two Egyptian Vulture wild nestlings and the foster nestling were weighed and banded. On 11 August 2003, the two wild juveniles left their nest at 0700 H, followed by the fostered young at 0930 H. One day after fledging, the three young flew back into the nest and in the following days returned to the nest at various times. We were able to track the family in the surrounding area until 28 August 2003. Dispersal from the breeding site occurred at the end of August, the usual period for this population. Our fostering experiment seemed successful; both foster parents and the acquired siblings accepted the fostered nestling.