Ivato moving north, 130393 still in Madagascar

Ivato continued his move north, flying from near Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to a location in eastern Kenya about 40 km east of Wajir and 70 km west of the Kenya-Somalia border, and just north of the equator.  Ivato is an adult and is probably on his way back to his breeding location.  Data point to high breeding site fidelity in sooty falcons, so if he breeds somewhere this year, it is likely that he bred there last year.  Generally speaking, in migratory raptors birds that can arrive back on their breeding grounds early are more productive, but this may not be the case for sooty falcons because production could be more dependent on the flow of migrants when chicks are hatched.  So, it may be good to be early, but timing of laying would be best when it corresponds to producing chicks when food from autumn migrating song birds is high.

Ivato's movements for 10 days up to 26 March 2014.

At the same time, 130393 is still in Madagascar moving in a fairly restricted area where it has been for some weeks now.  Unlike Ivato, this bird is only about 8 months old, and will probably not attempt to breed this year.  Thus, it may not be in such a hurry to head back north, especially if there is food available in Madagascar.  Currently, 130393 is flying in an area SE of Morombe along the Toliara - Befandriana Sud road,  near the village of Antanimieva.

130393's movements in the 10 days to 26 March 2014.