BSc (Hons) Newcastle, PhD (Aberdeen)

John Day Building: 2.02

Activities and research interests

Arjun Amar is an Avian Conservation Biologist with a focus on raptor conservation. He grew up in Nottingham, England and obtained a BSc Hons in Zoology from Newcastle University. Following research on Augur Buzzards in Kenya, Montagu’s Harriers in France and Common Buzzards in Scotland and the South of England, he carried out his PhD research examining the cause of the dramatic decline of a population of hen harriers on the Orkney Islands (Scotland), which was awarded in 2001 from Aberdeen University. Arjun then worked as a post-doctoral scientist for the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, undertaking research to help resolve the long standing conflict between hen harrier conservation and red grouse shooting on the Grouse moors of England and Scotland. In 2003, a post-doc position with the US Fish and Wildlife Service took Arjun to the tiny Pacific Island of Rota, one of the Northern Mariana Islands, where he undertook research on the declining critically endangered Mariana Crow. For the next six years Arjun worked as a Senior Conservation Scientist for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds based at both their UK and Scottish Headquarters, before joining the FitzPatrick Institute in 2010.

Arjun’s research interests lie in understanding the processes that regulate animal distributions, demography and population dynamics, and applying this understanding to the conservation biology of declining populations. He is particularly interested in establishing causes of population declines, understanding the mechanisms that drive these declines and identifying appropriate remedial management to reverse or prevent these trends. His research has included work on raptors, waders and passerines in the uplands, woodland birds, lowland waders, and tropical forest birds and bats. Other research has focused on human-wildlife conflicts and he has published a number of papers surrounding the raptor-gamebird conflict. Arjun has been an associated Editor for Ibis since 2008.

Current students:

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Dr Santiago Zuluaga Castañeda

Doctoral

Rebecca Muller: How has climate change affected the annual cycles of birds in southern Africa.(Co-supervisors: Irene Tieleman, Chima Nwaogu)

Merlyn Nkomo: The movement ecology of Jackal Buzzards around wind energy facilities in the North and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa (Co-supervisor: Megan Murgatroyd).

Kailen Padayachee: Using raptors as sentinel species to monitor environmental contamination in South Africa (Co-supervisor: Chevonne Reynolds)

Koi Pillay: Human-raptor conflict: Exploring the causes, consequences and solutions for human-raptor conflicts 

Previous Post-doctoral Fellows

Chris Vennum. August  2022 - July 2023. Movement ecology of large African raptors and potential interactions with renewable energy infrastructure.

Pachi Cervantes. 2021. Spatial analysis of raptor movement data.  

Megan Murgatroyd. July 2016 - June 2019. Conserving Verraux's eagles. Currently an International Conservation Biologist at HawkWatch International.

Petra Sumasgutner. May 2014 - July 2019. Understanding urban raptor populations. Currently a PostDoctoral Fellow at the University of Vienna.

Ralf Mullers. 2011 - 2014. Ecology of the Shoebill in the Bangweulu Swamps, Zambia.  Currently a lecturer at Van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences, Leeuwarden, Netherlands.

Tiwonge Mzumara-Gawa. 2015 - 2016. Conservation Ecology of Lillian's Lovebird. Currently a lecturer at Malawi University of Science and Technology.

Graduated students

PhD

Miqkayla Stofberg. July 2023. Global change and urban birds: impacts of heat stress and junk food on foraging and body condition in Red-winged Starlings (Co-supervisor: Susie Cunningham) Currently Assistant Avifaunal Specialist and Environmental Assessment Practitioner with Holland and Associates Environmental Consultants

Christiaan Brink. March 2022. Investigating the viability and potential impact of vulture restaurants as a strategy to conserve South Africa’s plummeting vulture populations. (Co-supervisors: Robert Thomson,  Andrea Santangeli)  

Edmund Rodseth. March 2022. The genetic basis of plumage polymorphism in the Black Sparrowhawk (Co-supervisor: Robert Ingle, MCB, UCT)

Carina Nebel. Dec 2021. Understanding the mechanism promoting polymorphism in Black sparrowhawks (Co-supervisor: Petra Sumasgutner) Currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Turku.

Rebecca Garbett. Dec 2018. Conservation of raptors and vultures in Botswana: with a focus on Lappet-faced Vultures Torgos tracheliotos. Planning and Policy Coordinator: Southern and East Africa at PANTHERA

Marie-Sophie Garcia-Heras. June 2017. Integrating ecological parameters, foraging strategies and health status for the conservation of avian predators:  the case of the threatened Black Harrier Circus maurus.  (Co-supervisors: Rob Simmons, Beatriz Arroyo, Francois Mougeot).  

Rowen van Eeden. June 2017. Understanding the cause of Martial Eagle declines in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Gareth Tate. Dec 2016. Investigating plumage polymorphism in the Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus. (Co-supervisor: Jacqui Bishop).  Currently the Birds of Prey Programme Manager at the Endangered Wildlife Trust.

Megan Murgatroyd. June 2016. Ecology of the Verreaux's Eagle in natural and agriculturally transformed habitats in South Africa. (Co-supervisor: Les Underhill) Currently a 'International Conservation Biologist' at HawkWatch International.

Sonja Krüger. Dec 2014. Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis population dynamics and conservation in the 21st Century (Co-supervisor: Rob Simmons).  Currently an Ecological Advisor, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Scientific Services - visit her Google Scholar page here.

Masters (Dissertation)

Temitope Rebecca Adelola. 2024. Understanding the ecology of Pied Crow and their potential impacts on biodiversity in arid areas of South Africa (Co-supervisor: Robert Thomson)

Rochelle Mphetlhe. 2023. Quantifying national abundance changes of raptors across Botswana using repeat road surveys. (Co-supervisor: Glyn Maude).

Michelle Vrettos. 2023.  A phylogenetically-controlled test of the function of malar markings in falcons using deep 3D modelling. (Co-supervisors: Patrick Marais and Chevonne Reynolds).

Jessie Berndt. 2015. Conservation biology of the Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus in South Africa: protected area dependent or ranch-land colonist? (Co-supervisors: Andrew Jenkins, Res Altwegg).

Lisle Gwynn. 2015. The identity, origin and impact of a 'new' Buzzard species breeding in South Africa (Co-supervisor: Phil Hockey).

Masters (Dissertation)

Kyle Walker: Assessing the diet of Martial Eagles in the Kruger National Park. (Co-supervisor: Meg Murgatroyd) 

Masters (Conservation Biology)

Tevin Adams. 2024. Space and resource use of Cape vultures at an isolated colony in the Western Cape: importance of livestock agriculture to this thriving population. (Co-supervisor: Robert Thomson)

Amy Cooper. 2023. How do body size, territoriality, diet, and primary productivity influence the home-range size of raptors? (Co-supervisor: Chris Vennum).

Merlyn Nkomo. 2021 The Influence of rainfall on the Verreaux's Eagle and their prey species in Matobo, Zimbabwe (Co-supervisor: Megan Murgatroyd).

Jessica Burnette. 2021. The role of images in freshwater conservation in South Africa. (Co-supervisors: Jeremy Shelton, Olaf Weyl).

Imthiaz Shaik Abbass. 2021. Habitat selection of bearded vultures Gypaetus barbatus in southern Africa: implications for conservation. (Co-supervisors: Megan Murgatroyd, Sonja Krüger).

René Brink. 2020. Do circular development buffers capture the breeding and non-breeding movements of territorial raptors? (Co-supervisor: Megan Murgatroyd).

Rebecca Muller. 2019. The urban ecology of crowned eagles. (Co-supervisors: Petra Sumasgutner, Shane McPherson).

Daryl van der Merwe. 2019. Environmental factors affecting breeding success in Martial Eagles. (Co-supervisor: Megan Murgatroyd).

Sarah Catto. 2018. Fluctuating human activity and associated anthropogenic food availability affect behaviour and parental care of Red-winged starlings (Co-supervisors: Susan Cunningham,  Petra Sumasgutner).

Leungo Leepile. 2018.  Changes in nesting numbers and breeding success of African White-backed Vultures in northern Botswana (Co-supervisor: Glyn Maude).

Tapiwa Zimunya. 2018: The influence of vulture restaurants on breeding success and nestling body condition of Gyps vulture populations across southern Africa. (Co-supervisor: Robert Thomson) .

Carles Dura. June 2017. Quantifying the level of predation on tortoises by pied crows in south western South Africa (Co-supervisor: Robert Thomson).

Christiaan Brink. 2016. The reintroduction of bearded vultures in South Africa: a feasibility analysis.  

Jessleena Suri. June 2016. Street-wise: does prey abundance buffer Sparrowhawks (Accipiter melanoleucus) from the negative health impacts of urbanisation?  Currently a PhD student in the Biological Sciences Department at UCT

Alex Atkins. June 2015. An experimental assessment of the efficacy of falconry to mitigate human-wildlife conflict: Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptica at golf courses.  

Liezl le Roux. June 2015. The relationship between MHC diversity, parasite load and mate choice in Black Sparrowhawks (Accipiter melanoleucus) (Co-supervisor: Jacqui Bishop).

Dara Sands. Dec 2015. Avian sensitivity map for Lesotho: a tool to aid planning and conservation in relation to the development of wind farms and associated wind energy infrastructure. (Co-supervisors: Rob Simmons, Samantha Ralston) .

Tabby Stokes. June 2014. A participatory risk-benefit analysis to evaluate the ecological and social implications of three management strategies to mitigate human-baboon conflict on the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. (Co-supervisors: Justin O'Riain, Carly Cowell).

Daniël Cloete. Dec 2013. Understanding the decline of the Martial Eagles (Polemaetus bellicosus) in South Africa.

Chrissie Madden. June 2013. The impact of corvids on biodiversity.  Currently a PhD student in the Biological Sciences Department at UCT.

Kat Forsythe. June 2013. Exploring the relationship between restored ecosystem function and species composition: a meta-analysis (Co-supervisor: Peter Carrick)  Currently an Ecological Consultant at Anchor Environmental Consultants.

Lovelater Sebele. June 2012. Breeding phenology of an expanding raptor population - the Black Sparrowhawk. Currently a lecturer at Gwanda State University.

BSc Hons

Michelle Vrettos, Kyle Walker

Recent peer-reviewed publications

2023

Briggs, C.W., Wommack, E.A., Sawtelle, S.E., Reynolds, C. and Amar, A. 2023. A population bottleneck did not affect polymorphism rates in California Swainson's Hawks. Journal of Raptor Research 57. https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-22-52   

Cervantes, F., Murgatroyd, M., Allan, D.G., Farwig, N., Kemp, R., Krüger, S., Maude, G., Mendelsohn, J., Rösner, S., Schabo, D.G., Tate, G. and Amar, A. 2023. A utilization distribution for the global population of Cape Vultures (Gyps coprotheres) to guide wind energy development. Ecological Applications. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2809

Murgatroyd, M., Tate, G., Amar, A. 2023. Using GPS tracking to monitor the breeding performance of a low-density raptor improves accuracy, and reduces long-term financial and carbon costs. Royal Society Open Science 10.  https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.221447

Sumasgutner, P., Cunningham, S.J., Hegemann, A., Amar, A., Watson, H., Nilsson, J.F., Andersson, M.N. and Isaksson, C. 2023. Interactive effects of rising temperatures and urbanisation on birds across different climate zones: A mechanistic perspective. Global Change Biology 29: 2399-2420. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16645

2022

Muller, J.R., Selier, S.A.J., Drouilly, M., Broadfield, J., Leighton, G.R., Amar, A. and Naude, V.N. 2022. The hunter and the hunted: Using web‐sourced imagery to monitor leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) trophy hunting. Conservation Science and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12789 

Panter, C.T., Allen, S., Backhouse, N., Mullineaux, E., Rose, C.A. and Amar, A. 2022. Causes, temporal trends, and the effects of urbanization on admissions of wild raptors to rehabilitation centers in England and Wales. Ecology and Evolution 12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8856 

Stofberg, M., Amar, A., Cunningham, S.J. and Sumasgutner, P. 2022. Staying cool and eating junk: Influence of heat dissipation and anthropogenic food on foraging and body condition in an urban passerine. Landscape and Urban Planning 226.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104465

2021

Acácio, M., Mullers, R.H., Franco, A., Willems, F.J. and Amar, A. 2021. Changes in surface water drive the movements of Shoebills. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-95093-5 

Bates A.E. et al (including Cunningham, S.J., Sumasgutner, P., Amar, A., Thomson, R.L., Stofberg, M., Hofmeyr, S., Suri, J., Ryan, P.G., Maclean, K. and Weideman, E.A.) 2021. Global COVID-19 lockdown highlights humans as both threats and custodians of the environment. Biological Conservation 263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109175

Brink, C.W., Thomson, R.L., Amar, A., Girardello, M. and Santangeli, A. 2021. Prevalence and drivers of poison use by South African commercial farmers and perceptions of alternative livestock protection measures. Ambio 50: 1211–1221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-020-01461-2 

Catto, S., Sumasgutner, P., Amar, A., Thomson, R.L. and Cunningham, S.J. 2021. Pulses of anthropogenic food availability appear to benefit parents, but compromise nestling growth in urban red-winged starlings. Oecologia 197: 565–576. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-021-05033-3 

Eichenwald, A.J., Amar, A., Tyrrell, P., Buechley, E.R. and Virani, M.Z. 2021. Declines in an Augur Buzzard Buteo augur population in a region of increasing human development. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.590073 

McCarren, S., Sumasgutner, P., Tate, G., Koeslag, A. and Amar, A. 2021. Clinal variation in the polymorphic Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus is unrelated to infection by the blood parasite Haemoproteus nisi. Journal of Ornithology 162: 231-241. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-020-01823-3 

Murgatroyd, M., Bouten, W. and Amar, A. 2021. A predictive model for improving placement of wind turbines to minimise collision risk potential for a large soaring raptor. Journal of Applied Ecology 58: 857-868. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13799 

Nebel, C., Amar, A., Hegemann, A., Isaksson, C. and Sumasgutner, P. 2021. Parental morph combination does not influence innate immune function in nestlings of a colour-polymorphic African raptor. Scientific Reports 11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-90291-7 

Nebel, C., Sumasgutner, P., Rodseth, E., Ingle, R.A., Childs, D.Z., Curtis‐Scott, O. and Amar, A. 2021. Multigenerational pedigree analysis of wild individually marked black sparrowhawks suggests that dark plumage coloration is a dominant autosomal trait. Journal of Zoology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jzo.12913 

Panter, C.T. and Amar, A. 2021. Sex and age differences in the diet of the Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) using web‐sourced photographs: exploring the feasibility of a new citizen science approach. Ibis 163: 928–947. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12918 

Vrettos, M., Reynolds, C., and Amar, A. 2021 Malar stripe size and prominence in peregrine falcons vary positively with solar radiation: support for the solar glare hypothesis. Biology Letters 17. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2021.0116 

2020

Brink, C.W,, Santangeli, A., Amar, A., Wolter, K., Tate, G., Krüger, S., Tucker, A.S. and Thomson, R.L. 2020. Quantifying the spatial distribution and trends of supplementary feeding sites in South Africa and their potential contribution to vulture energetic requirements. Animal Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12561 

Brink, C.W., Santangeli, A., Amar, A., Wolter, K., Tate, G., Krüger, S., Tucker A.S. and Thomson, R.L. 2020. Perceptions of vulture supplementary feeding site managers and potential hidden risks to avian scavengers. Conservation Science and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1111/cs

Brink, C.W., Krüger, S. and Amar, A. 2020. Potential release sites and strategies for a Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus reintroduction in South Africa. Ostrich 91(2): 118-128. https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2020.1753252

Chamberlain, D.E., Reynolds, C., Amar, A., Henry, D., Caprio, E. & Batáry, P. (in press). Wealth, water and wildlife: landscape aridity intensifies the urban Luxury Effect. Global Ecology & Biogeography. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/geb.13122

Leepile, L.B.L., Maude, G., Hancock, P., Reading, R.P., Bridges, B., Hartley, R. and Amar, A. 2020. Changes in nesting numbers and breeding success of African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus in north-central Botswana. Bird Conservation International 30(3): 456-473. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270920000179

McClure, C.J., Westrip, J.R., Johnson, J.A., Schulwitz, S.E., Virani, M.Z., Davies, R., Symes, A., Wheatley, H., Thorstrom, R., Amar, A., Buij, R., Jones, V.R., Williams, N.P., Buechley, E.R. and Butcharte, S.H.M. 2020. Raptor conservation priorities must incorporate evolution, ecology, and economics, in addition to island endemism. Biological Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108583 

Moleón, M., Cortés-Avizanda, A., Pérez-García, J.M., Bautista, J., Geoghegan, C., Carrete, M., Amar, A., Sánchez-Zapata, J.A. and Donázar, J.A. 2020. Distribution of avian scavengers inside and outside of protected areas: contrasting patterns between two areas of Spain and South Africa. Biodiversity and Conservation 29: 3349-3368. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-020-02027-0 

Muller, R., Amar, A., Sumasgutner, P., McPherson, S.C. and Downs, C.T. 2020. Urbanization is associated with increased breeding rate, but decreased breeding success, in an urban population of near-threatened African Crowned Eagles. The Condor. https://doi.org/10.1093/condor/duaa024

Nebel, C., Sumasgutner, P., McPherson, S.C., Tate, G.J. and Amar, A., 2020. Contrasting parental color morphs increase regularity of prey deliveries in an African raptor. Behavioral Ecology 31(5): 1142–1149. https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/araa063 

Sumasgutner, P., Jenkins, A., Amar, A., Altwegg, R. 2020. Nest boxes buffer the effects of climate on breeding performance in an African urban raptor. PLoS One 15 (6) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0234503 

2019

Amar, A., Reynolds, C., Van Velden, J. and Briggs, C.W. 2019. Clinal variation in morph frequency in Swainson’s hawk across North America: no support for Gloger’s ecogeographical rule. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolinnean/blz037 

Atkins, A., Little, R.M., Redpath, S.M. and Amar, A. 2019. Impact of increased predation risk on vigilance behaviour in a gregarious waterfowl, the Egyptian goose Alopochen aegyptiaca. Journal of Avian Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.02121 

Chamberlain, D.E., Henry, D.A., Reynolds, C., Caprio, E. and Amar, A. 2019. The relationship between wealth and biodiversity: A test of the Luxury Effect on bird species richness in the developing world. Global Change Biology 25: 3045-3055. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14682 

Murgatroyd, M., Redpath, S.M., Murphy, S.G., Douglas, D.J., Saunders, R. and Amar, A. 2019. Patterns of satellite tagged hen harrier disappearances suggest widespread illegal killing on British grouse moors. Nature communications, 10(1): 1094. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-09044-w. 

Mzumara, T.I., Martin, R.O., Tripathi, H., Phiri, C. and Amar, A. 2019. Distribution of a habitat specialist: Mopane woodland structure determines occurrence of Near Threatened Lilian’s Lovebird Agapornis lilianae. Bird Conservation International pp.1-10. doi:10.1017/S0959270918000370 

Naude, V.N., Smyth, L.K., Weideman, E.A., Krochuk, B.A. and Amar, A. 2019. Using web-sourced photography to explore the diet of a declining African raptor, the Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus). The Condor 121:1-9. https://doi.org/10.1093/condor/duy015 

Nebel, C., Sumasgutner, P., Pajot, A. and Amar, A. 2019. Response time of an avian prey to a simulated hawk attack is slower in darker conditions, but is independent of hawk colour morph. Royal Society Open Science, 6(8): 190677. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.190677

San-Jose, L.M., Séchaud, R., Schalcher, K., Judes, C., Questiaux, A., Oliveira-Xavier, A., Gémard, C., Almasi, B., Béziers, P., Kelber, A. and Amar, A. 2019. Differential fitness effects of moonlight on plumage colour morphs in barn owls. Nature ecology & evolution. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-019-0967-2 

Stofberg, M., Cunningham, S.J., Sumasgutner, P. and Amar, A. 2019. Juggling a “junk-food” diet: responses of an urban bird to fluctuating anthropogenic-food availability. Urban Ecosystems 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-019-00885-3

2018

Amar, A. and Cloete, D. 2018. Quantifying the decline of the Martial Eagle Polemaetus belliscosus in South Africa. Bird Conservation International 28: 363-374. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0959270917000314

Garbett, R., Herremans, M., Maude, G., Reading, R.P. and Amar, A. 2018. Raptor population trends in northern Botswana: A re-survey of road transects after 20 years. Biological Conservation 224: 87-99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2018.05.020 

Garbett, R., Maude, G., Hancock, P., Kenny, D., Reading, R. and Amar, A. 2018. Association between hunting and elevated blood lead levels in the critically endangered African white-backed vulture Gyps africanus. Science of the Total Environment 631-632: 1654-1665. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.220 

McClure, C.J.W., Westrip, J.R.S., Johnson, J.A., Schulwitz, S.E., Virani, M.Z., Davies, R., Symes, A., Wheatley, H., Thorstrom, R., Amar, A., Buij, R., Jones, V.R., Williams, N.P., Buechley, E.R. and Butchart, S.H.M. 2018. State of the world’s raptors: distributions, threats, and conservation recommendations. Biological Conservation 227: 390-402. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2018.08.012

McKechnie, A.E. and Amar, A. 2018. Missing the bigger picture: a response to Beale (2018). Ostrich 89: 151-152. http://dx.doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2018.1467979

Murgatroyd, M., Roos, S., Evans, R., Sansom, A., Whitfield, D.P., Sexton, D., Reid, R., Grant, J. and Amar, A. 2018. Sex-specific patterns of reproductive senescence in a long-lived reintroduced raptor. Journal of Animal Ecology 87: 1587-1599. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.12880

Murgatroyd, M., Photopoulou, T., Underhill, L.G., Bouten, W. and Amar, A. 2018. Where eagles soar: fine-resolution tracking reveals the spatiotemporal use of differential soaring modes in a large raptor. Ecology and Evolution 8: 6788-6799. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.4189

Smart, J. and Amar, A. 2018. Diversionary feeding as a means of reducing raptor predation at seabird breeding colonies. Journal of Nature Conservation 46: 48-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2018.09.003

Sumasgutner, P., Rose, S., Koeslag, A. and Amar, A. 2018. Exploring the influence of urbanization on morph distribution and morph-specific breeding performance in a polymorphic African raptor. Journal of Raptor Research 52: 19-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.3356/JRR-17-37.1

2017

Amar, A. & Cloete, D. 2017. Quantifying the decline of the Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus in South Africa. Bird Conservation International, 1-12.

Atkins, A., Redpath, S.M., Little, R.M. and Amar, A. 2017. Experimentally manipulating the landscape of fear to manage problem animals. Journal of Wildlife Management. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21227

Krüger, S. and Amar, A. 2017. Insights into post-fledging dispersal of Bearded Vultures Gypaetus barbatus in southern Africa from GPS satellite telemetry. Bird Study 64: 125-131. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2017.1295019

Krüger, S.C. and Amar, A. 2017. Productivity of the declining Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus population in southern Africa. Ostrich 88: 139-145. http://dx.doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2017.1350762 

Redpath, S., Thompson, A. and Amar, A. 2017. Female begging calls reflect nutritional need of nestlings in the hen harrier Circus cyaneus. BMC Evolutionary Biology 17: 144. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12862-017-0986-z

Suri, J., Sumasgutner, P., Hellard, É., Koeslag, A. and Amar, A. 2017. Stability in prey abundance may buffer Black Sparrowhawks Accipiter melanoleucus from health impacts of urbanization. Ibis. 159: 38-54.

Tate, G. J. and Amar, A. 2017. Morph specific foraging behavior by a polymorphic raptor under variable light conditions. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 9161.

van Velden, J.L., Koeslag, A., Curtis, O., Gous, T., and Amar, A. 2017. Negative effect of mite (Knemidokoptes) infection on reproductive output in an African raptor. Auk 134: 498-508. http://dx.doi.org/10.1642/AUK-16-134.1

Van Eeden, R., Whitfield, D.P., Botha, A. and Amar, A. 2017. Ranging behavior and habitat preferences of the Martial Eagle: implications for the conservation of a declining apex predator. PLoS ONE 12: e0173956. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0173956

2016

Amar, A. 2016. Using independent nest survey data to validate changes in reporting rates of Martial Eagles between the Southern African Bird Atlas Project 1 and 2. Ostrich 87:1-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2015.1089333

Cunningham, S.J., Madden, C., Barnard, P. and Amar, A. 2016. Electric crows: power lines, climate change and the emergence of a native invader. Diversity and Distributions 22:17-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12381

Douglas, D.J.T., Buchanan, G.M., Thompson, P., Amar, A., Fielding, D.A., Redpath, S.M. and Wilson, J.D. 2016. Vegetation burning for game management in the UK uplands is increasing and overlaps spatially with soil carbon and protected areas. Biological Conservation 191: 243-250. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2016.01.001

Garcia-Heras, M-S., Arroyo, B., Mougeot, F., Amar, A., and Simmons, R.E. 2016. Does timing of breeding matter less where the grass is greener? Seasonal declines in breeding performance differ between regions in an endangered endemic raptor. Nature Conservation 15: 23-45. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.15.9800

Leighton, G.R.M., Hugo, P.S., Roulin, A. and Amar, A. 2016. Just Google it: assessing the use of Google Images to describe geographical variation in visible traits of organisms. Methods in Ecology and Evolution http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/2041-201x.12562

Murgatroyd, M., Avery, G., Underhill, L.G., and Amar, A. 2016. Adaptability of a specialist predator: the effects of land use on diet diversification and breeding performance of Verreaux’s eagles. Journal of Avian Biology http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jav.00944

Murgatroyd, M., Underhill, L.G., Bouten, W., and Amar, A. 2016. Ranging behavior of Verreaux’s Eagles during the pre-breeding period determined through the use of high temporal resolution tracking. PLoS ONE 11: e0163378. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0163378

Murgatroyd, M., Underhill, L.G., Rodrigues, L., and Amar, A. 2016. The influence of agricultural transformation on the breeding performance of a top predator: Verreaux’s Eagles in contrasting land use areas. The Condor 118: 238-252. http://dx.doi.org/10.1650/CONDOR-15-142.1

Sumasgutner, P., Millán, J., Curtis, O., Koelsag, A. and Amar, A. 2016. Is multiple nest building an adequate strategy to cope with inter-species nest usurpation? BMC Evolutionary Biology 16: 97 http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12862-016-0671-7 IF 3.406

Sumasgutner, P., Tate, G.J., Koeslag, A. and Amar, A. 2016. Seasonal patterns in space use of Black Sparrowhawks Accipiter melanoleucus in an urban environment. Bird Study. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2016.1214814

Sumasgutner, P., Tate, G. J., Koeslag, A. and Amar, A. 2016. Family morph matters: Factors determining survival and recruitment in a long-lived polymorphic raptor. Journal of Animal Ecology. doi. 10.1111/1365-2656.12518

Suri, J., Sumasgutner, P., Hellard, E., Koeslag, A. and Amar, A. 2016. Stability in prey abundance may buffer Black Sparrowhawks from health impacts of urbanization. Ibis. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12422

Tate, G.J., Bishop, J.M. and Amar, A. 2016. Differential foraging success across a light level spectrum explains the maintenance and spatial structure of colour morphs in a polymorphic bird. Ecology Letters http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ele.12606

Tate, G.J., Sumasgutner, P., Koeslag, A. and Amar, A. 2016. Pair complementarity influences reproductive output in the polymorphic black sparrowhawk (Accipiter melanoleucus). Journal of Avian Biology 47: 001-012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jav.01100 

2015

Katzenberger, J., Tate, G., Koeslag, A. and Amar, A. 2015. Black Sparrowhawk brooding behavior in relation to chick age and weather variation in the recently colonized Cape Peninsula, South Africa. Journal of Ornithology 156: 903-913.

Krüger, S.C., Reid, T. and Amar, A. 2015. Differential range use between age classes of southern African Bearded Vultures Gypaetus barbatus. PLoS ONE 9: e114920.

Krüger, S.C., Simmons, R.E. and Amar, A. 2015. Anthropogenic activities influence the abandonment of Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) territories in southern Africa. Condor 117: 94-107.

Madden, C.F., Arroyo, B. and Amar, A. 2015. A review of the impacts of corvids on bird productivity and abundance. Ibis 157.

Mullers, R.H.E. and Amar, A. 2015. Shoebill Balaeniceps rex foraging behaviour in the Bangweulu Wetlands, Zambia. Ostrich 86: 113-118.

Mullers, R.H.E. and Amar, A. 2015. Parental nesting behavior, chick growth and breeding success of Shoebills (Balaeniceps rex) in the Bangweulu Wetlands, Zambia. Waterbirds 38: 1-9.

Reid, T., Krüger, S., Whitfield, D.P. and Amar, A. 2015. Using spatial analyses of bearded vulture movements in southern Africa to inform wind turbine placement. Journal of Applied Ecology 52: 881-892.

Zarones, L., Sussman, A., Morton, J.M., Plentovich, S., Faegre, S., Aguon, C., Amar, A. and Ha, R.R. 2015. Population status and nesting success of the critically endangered Aga or Mariana Crow (Corvus kubaryi) on Rota, Northern Mariana Islands. Bird Conservation International 25: 220-223.

2014

Amar, A. & Esselstyn, J. 2014. Positive association between rat abundance and breeding success of the Critically Endangered Mariana Crow Corvus kubaryi Bird Conservation International 24:192-200. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S095927091300018X

Amar, A., Koeslag, A., Malan, G., Brown, M. & Wreford, E. 2014. Clinal variation in the morph ratio of Black Sparrowhawks Accipiter melanoleucus in South Africa and its correlation with environmental variables. Ibis 156: 627-638. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12157

Arroyo, B., Leckie, F., Amar, A., McCluskie, A., Redpath, S. 2014. Ranging behaviour of Hen Harriers breeding in Special Protection Areas in Scotland. Bird Study 61: 48-55.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2013.874976

Krüger, S., Allan, D., Jenkins, A. & Amar. A. 2014. Trends in territory occupancy, distribution and density of the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis in southern Africa. Bird Conservation International 24: 162-177. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0959270913000440

Mackay, B., Little, R., Amar, A. & Hockey, P.A.R. 2014. Incorporating environmental considerations in managing Egyptian geese on golf courses in South Africa. Journal of Wildlife Management 78: 671-678. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.711

Martin, R.O., Koeslag, A., Curtis, O & Amar, A., 2014. Fidelity at the frontier: divorce and dispersal in a newly colonised raptor population. Animal Behaviour 93: 59-68.

Martin, R.O., Sebele, L., Koeslag, A., Curtis, O., Abadi, F. & Amar, A. 2014. Phenological shifts assist colonisation of a novel environment in a range-expanding raptor. Oikos 123:1457-1468.

Mustin, K., Amar, A. & Redpath, S.M. 2014. Colonization and extinction dynamics of a declining migratory bird are influenced by climate and habitat degradation. Ibis 156:788-798.

Van der Wal, R., Miller, D., Irvine, J., Fiorini, S., Amar, A., Yearly, S., Gill, R. & Dandy, N. 2014. The influence of information provision on people’s landscape preferences: A case study on understorey vegetation of deer-browsed woodlands. Landscape and Urban Planning 124:129-139. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2014/01.009

2013

Amar, A., Koeslag, A. & Curtis, O. 2013. Plumage polymorphism in a newly colonized black sparrowhawk population: classification, temporal stability and inheritance patterns. Journal of Zoology 289:60-67.

Lei, B., Amar, A., Koeslag, A., Gous, T.A. & Tate, G.J. 2013. Differential haemoparasite intensity between black sparrowhawk (Accipiter melanoleucus) morphs suggests an adaptive function for polymorphism. PLoS ONE 8:e81607.

Redpath, S.M., Young, J., Evely, A., Adams, W.M., Sutherland, W.J., Whitehouse, A., Amar, A., Lambert, R.A., Linnell, J.D.C., Watt, A. & Gutiérrez, R.J. 2013. Understanding and managing conservation conflicts. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 28:100-109.