Circus Mailardi – Wikipedia

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L’ Albanella Di Reunion ( Circus Maillardi J. Verreaux, 1862 ), also known as Papawue on the island of origin ( Papang In Réunion’s Creolo), he is the only endemic nesting of the island of Réunion. Very rare, it has been classified since 2004 as “endangered species” ( Endangered ) from the International Union for the conservation of nature (IUCN) [first] .

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The species was baptized thus by Jules Verreaux in honor of Louis Millard, colonial engineer of the island of Réunion, who believed for the first time that it was a new species [2] .

The term Papawue It would derive from the word Malgascia Puppy [3] , which means “Nibbio”, in turn derived from Swahili rid , “Sort of little hawk” [4] . The species is also known with the nickname of Yellow feet due to the color of the legs that contrasts with that of the plumage [5] .

Size [ change | Modifica Wikitesto ]

The two sexes show great differences in size. The wing opening varies between 125 and 140 cm and the length between 54 and 59 cm [6] . As in most birds of prey, the females are larger and heavier than the males [7] . On average, about 732 g weigh against 545 of males [8] . They also have wider wings and longer.

I wait [ change | Modifica Wikitesto ]

In addition to size, the species has a rather marked sexual dwelling also with regard to plumage. The males have a black, white and gray plumage, very contrasting. The head, the back and the end of the wings are black, while the belly and the lower part of the wings are white, except for the end of the latter. The tail is of a viusing white with gray. The paws and irides are yellow.

In the female, the plumage is characterized by a brown coloring of the upper parts, except for the rump, which is white. The lower parts are clearer, strips of brown. The legs and irides are yellow as in the male.

The immature, male and female specimens have until the age of two a more uniform plumage, dark brown in color with red at the level of the abdomen and shoes. The legs are yellow and the iris is brown [6] .

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Being a sedentary species, it is possible to meet the Albanella of Réunion at any time of the year on the whole island, except in urbanized and vegetation -free areas, with density variable from one area to another [9] [8] . Originally, he occupied the forest environments, but following the changes undergone by his habitat natural after the colonization of the island, she was forced to adapt. Nowadays, he attends a wider mosaic than habitat , such as forests, groves and uncultivated land, and uses the impenetrable and inaccessible areas of its territory, like the most impervious slopes and the areas where the vegetation is more dense, to install the nest. To go hunting, however, he leaves the forests to go to open areas (pastures, uncultivated land, savannas). Sometimes it can also be seen flying over urban areas to reach more favorable territories to hunting. This selection of habitat It is mainly linked to the abundance and accessibility of the prey [9] .

In the high density areas, a couple generally shares their vital domain with the other couples allocated nearby. The surface of this domain was estimated between 2.5 and 3 km² or sometimes even up to 4-6 km² in the areas located at higher altitudes [6] . The manifestations of intraspecific aggression are rare and are reduced to a chase accompanied by cries in case an unknown specimen bursts the area of ​​the nest [6] .

Diet [ change | Modifica Wikitesto ]

Réunion’s Albanella diet has undergone modifications following the human colonization of the island. The shortest tarsi and the longest claws than those of the Madagascar albanella ( C. macrosceles ) indicate a capacity to capture larger prey of those captured by the latter, especially birds and insects, in a forest environment [ten] . Today, however, rodents introduced (rats and mice) represent from 50 to 70% of its diet [6] [11] , despite its morphological adaptations. Her hunting technique, generally a low -height fly over, allows her to fall on the prey thanks to the surprise effect. The rest of the diet is made up of snakes, reptiles and small mammals. If you have the opportunity, it also feeds on carrion [8] .

Reproduction [ change | Modifica Wikitesto ]

Réunion’s reproductive activity was observed at any time of the year over the whole island. However, it reaches its peak in the period from March to July, with a drop between September and December [8] . It begins with the parade of the male who performs a series of screws and beaten with a subsequent ascent upwards near a female and its territory. Then he deposits a prey in which the female will be posed. The male goes up to them and the coupling takes place, which lasts about 10 seconds [twelfth] .

The construction of the nests usually begins in October with a peak of activity in January and February. Consisting of a mass of branches and dry herbs of about 60-70 cm in diameter, they are installed on the ground or at low height on small bushes [6] . The female lays two or three uniform white eggs which are broods for 33-36 days. During this period, the male takes care of feeding it. The exchange of the prey between the two partner It is usually carried out in flight. Young people get involved 45 days after hatching, but remain in the nest and continue to be fed by parents for another two months before being removed at the beginning of the following reproductive season. Réunion’s reproductive success is estimated between 1.2 [11] and 1.4 young people [6] for couple and by year.

Réunion’s Albanella is endemic from the island of Réunion, located about 700 km east of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean. In the past it was also present in Mauritius, 210 km away from Réunion, from which he unfortunately disappeared. It meets at altitudes between 150 and 1500 m [8] , but most couples nest under 800 m [13] [9] .

The Albanella of Réunion belongs to the order of the accipitriforms and the Accipitridi family. Distant cousin of the swamp hawk ( Circus aeruginosus ), has long been grouped in a single species with Circus macrosceles Present in Madagascar and in the start. In 2000, the genetic studies conducted by Simmons showed that it was unlike a species separately from that of Madagascar for about 760,000 years [14] .

The IUCN Red List classification Circus Maillardi as a species in danger of extinction ( Endangered ). [first]

Before the arrival of the man on the island of Réunion, which followed a decrease in an intensive and irremediable way of the fauna as a whole, the population of the Réunion albanella had to be more substantial than the current one. The first estimates of the population of this rapacious, made in the 80s and 90s, indicated the presence of a number between 200 and 300 couples [6] [15] [16] . However, these estimates were made on localized areas of the island and using non -standardized methods. At the end of the 90s, the first assessment of the entire population of the island estimated between 400 and 600 the number of individuals present, with less than 100 couples [13] [9] . Between 2009 and 2010 430 specimens were observed, including 150 estimated couples [8] .

The Papawue in Creola culture [ change | Modifica Wikitesto ]

The Papawue He suffered from the bad reputation attributed to him by the first inhabitants of the island. It was in fact considered as a “malaugurium bird” who did not hesitate to grab the hats and caps of the first settlers [16] . Explorers and clubs accused him of the killing of young pigs, goats and other courtyard birds. He was also chased to be eaten or kept in captivity [8] . Despite everything, we find its name in the name of some endemic plants by Réunion and Mauritius such as the Liane papangue , whose hooks resemble the claws of the bird of prey [17] .

Today the awareness programs have contributed to improving the image of this bird of prey, despite the persistent poaching. Many places on the island bear the name of Papawue , like the Paton Papangue and the Departmental Forest of the Paton Papangue who surrounds it. It also gives the name to an uphill road, the course Papangue , and also appears on the coat of arms of the city of the el [8] .

The rapacious also appears in some local legends such as that of Anchaing and Héva, a couple of slaves who, who fled the violence of their master and chased by slave hunters, went to hide on a mountain considered inaccessible. There are several versions, but one of these tells that, after being discovered by Mussard, a great slave hunter, anchoring, with a diversion, attracted him towards him before throwing himself off the cliff. Legend has it that it does not die, but that it turns into Papawue . Today this mountain bears the name of Piton d’anchhaing.

  1. ^ a b c ( IN ) BirdLife International 2016, Circus Maillardi . are IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , Version 2020.2, IUCN, 2020. URL consulted on 11 August 2018 .
  2. ^ L. Maillard, 1862. Notes on Reunion Island (Bourbon) . Parigi. p. 159.
  3. ^ Site Madagascar Encyclopedia and Malagasy Dictionary (meaning of the word puppy ).
  4. ^ A. Bollée, 1993. Etymological dictionary of the French Creoles of the Indian Ocean. Second part. Words of non -French or unknown origin. Helmut Bushe Verlag Hamburg. 596 p.
  5. ^ L. Maillard, 1863. Notes on Reunion Island (Bourbon) . 1. Volume parigi. p. 159-162.
  6. ^ a b c d It is f g h Mr. Clouet, 1978. The Maillard Busard ( Circus aeroginosus maillardi ) from Reunion Island . The bird and the French review of ornithology 48 (2): 95-106.
  7. ^ J. FOODGUSON-LEE A D. JUST, 2008. World Diurnal Rapaces Guide . Delachaux and Niestlé SA, Parigi. 320 p.
  8. ^ a b c d It is f g h V. Grondin E J. S. Philippe, 2011. Maillard Busard Conservation Plan ( Circus Maillardi ) . Seor and Biotope for the Deal, the Reunion region, Aérowatt and the city of Etang-Salé , 81 PGG.
  9. ^ a b c d V. Brittagnolle, J. M. ThiaLay a C. ATTIE, 2000a. Status of Reunion Marsh Harrier Circus Maillardi on Reunion island . Chancellor, R. D. & B. U. Meyburg (ed.). Raptors at risk. World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls, Berlin, and Hancock House, Blaine, WA U.S.A. p. 669-676
  10. ^ J. Wattel, 1973. Geographical Dferenciation in the class hawk . Publ. Nuttal. Ornith. Cl., n° 13.
  11. ^ a b M. Roche, T. Ghesteremme and M. Salamolard, 2000. Study on populations, the ecology of 9 species of native birds in the meeting of threats to them, and measures to put in place . Assessment of preliminary activities and results of the period from June 22 to September 22, 2000. Seor. 16 p.
  12. ^ J. Gonin, 2001. The “papangue”, a rare and little known endemic . BTS Report Management and Protection of Nature, Research Program of Land Birds from Reunion Seor. 38 p.
  13. ^ a b T. Ghestemme, E. Portier and M. Le Corre, 1998. Census of the Papangues population of Reunion, Circus Maillardi , density and distribution of reproductive couples . Seor. 14 p. E annexes 10 p.
  14. ^ Robert E. Simmons, Harriers of the world: their behaviour and ecology , Oxford Ornithology Series, Oxford University Press, 2000, p. 384, ISBN 978-0198549642.
  15. ^ A. Chef, 1987. The ecology and distribution of native land birds of Reunion. Reunion Harrier ( Circus Maillardi ) Glass . In Diamond A. W. Edition Studies of Mascarene Island birds. Cambridge University Press, p. 311-314.
  16. ^ a b N. Barré, A. Barau e C. Jouanin, 1996. Reunion birds . Pacific edition, Paris. 207 p.
  17. ^ J. Bosser, T. Cadet, J. Gheho E N. Marais, 1987. Flore of Mascareignes, Linéaceae family (56) . Siri, mauritius; Orstom, Parigi; RBG, KW. 5 p.

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