Making a Buzz

Guilad Friedemann, a TAU PhD student in zoology, is deeply concerned about the survival of two of Israel’s most elusive bird species – the Long Legged Buzzard and the Short Toed Eagle. Heavily threatened by changes in the environment, lack of food, poisoning, electrocutions, nest robbing, and human interference during the breeding season, this native raptor population is on the decline, with less than 500 of both species surviving in the wild.  

Friedemann has devoted both his master’s and doctoral degrees to studying the ecological and biological processes affecting the species and the dangers facing it. His admiration for the birds began as a young child. “Raptors are fabulous creatures – beautiful, majestic and perfect hunting machines,” he says. “I love the way they fly, swallowing up huge distances to find a mate in such a short time. Their flight is an example of the perfect adaptation to nature.”

Another aspect of Friedemann’s research focuses on the breeding habits of a raptor species whose numbers have been affected by human interference – particularly man-made land cover changes that cause the birds to abandon their natural habitat. In another study, he is examining a group of native eagles that has been affected by the arrival of a new and competitive species of buzzard into its traditional nesting area. This is the first study on the impact of this competition on the breeding ecology of both species.

Friedemann’s research has so far yielded some surprising findings including that the Judean buzzard population is a migratory species, rather than territorial. He also discovered that the buzzards’ unusual migration pattern is completely different from other birds and raptors. After the breeding season ends, the buzzards head north rather than south, in a pattern called reverse migration.

Friedemann hopes that his research will lead to the preservation of raptor populations and open habitats, as raptors are excellent bio-indicators for the quality of ecosystems. “I dream of saving the species and preventing its systematic destruction so that our children will be able to enjoy seeing what we can today,” he says.

Guilad Friedeman’s research is funded by the Smaller-Winnikow Scholarship Fund for Environmental Research, established in the name of Sylvia Smaller-Winnikow by son & daughter-in-law Peter & Elaine Smaller of Australia. His research involves cooperation between TAU, Haifa University, the KKL-JNF, SPNI, and the Kfar Etzion Field School.

Friedemann's supervisor is world-renowned ornithologist Prof. Yossi Leshem, who was recently awarded the prestigious Bruno H. Schubert Prize.