Monitoring of the reproductive success of Spizaetus ornatus (Accipitridae) at the Serra de Maracaju region, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

The Ornate Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus ornatus) is a bird of prey associated with forest habitats, with requirements for the extension and quality of environments for its survival and population stability. Although widely distributed in Brazil, their populations have declined as a result of the loss and fragmentation of habitats. It is considered to be Near Threatened at the global and national level, but several Brazilian states classify it as Endangered. This work has been developed since 2014 to monitor the reproductive success of S. ornatus in the Serra de Maracaju region, the eastern border of the Brazilian Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul. We provide information on nest activity from incubating period until successfully fledged of the juvenile, at the RPPN Vale do Bugio, a municipality of Corguinho/MS. We have registered the most relevant events: adult behaviors during egg incubation, parental care, feeding behavior, diet, and interaction with other birds. The nest is located in a semi-deciduous dry forest, on an emergent tree (Hymenaea courbaril), about 20 m high, occupying a valley area between sandstone outcrops, near a stream. Vertebrates of small and medium size were the items consumed, with greater importance for reptiles and birds. The male was responsible for bringing food to the nestling and the female remained most of the time in the nest, in protection of the nestling and also to the territory. We confirmed the reproduction of Ornate Hawk-Eagle in two consecutive years, 2014 and 2015, with a reproductive interval in 2016, being the first case of reproduction in consecutive years documented in Brazil.