Nest features and nest-tree characteristics of Short-toed Eagles (Circaetus gallicus) in the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli forest, northeastern Greece

Data on nest features and nest-tree characteristics of 29 nest trees of Sho rt-toed Eagles (Circaetus gallicus) were compared with the satire number of paired, randomly-selected trees in the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli forest complex , northeastern Greece. Short-reed Eagles usually nested in Calabrian pine ( Pinus brutia, 83%) trees that were either dominant (87%) or intermediate (1 3%) in the canopy. Most nests were in the largest trees in terms of height ((x) over bar = 13.8 +/- 0.4 m, +/-SE) and diameter at breast height ((X) o ver bar = 49.7 +/- 1.6 cm) in stands. Nests were located in the lower or mi ddle third of the canopy at a mean height of 8.6 +/- 0.41 m and on horizont al branches at a mean distance of 133 cm +/- 12.4 cm from trunks. A tendenc y for building nests on the south-facing side of canopies of nest trees was detected (mean angle = 178 degrees, angular deviation s = 58 degrees). Sho rt-toed Eagles selected nest trees that provided them with easy access whil e also providing protection from predators and inclement weather.