Natal philopatry in young Cape Vultures <i>Gyps coprotheres</i>

Abstract

In 2010, 14 Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres chicks were ringed as nestlings on the cliffs at the Skeerpoort Cape Vulture colony in the Magaliesberg mountains, South Africa. Observations made during the 2014 and 2015 breeding colony censuses confirm two individuals returned to the Magaliesberg to breed. One female bred at Skeerpoort while another female settled in the Nooitgedacht colony situated 25 km from her natal nest. Breeding attempts occurred at four years old for both individuals, the youngest on record for wild Cape Vultures. One individual successfully raised a fledgling.

Keywords: breeding, Cape Vulture, natal philopatry