First evidence for carrion–feeding of Eurasian Eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) in Bulgaria

Milchev, Boyan; Spassov, Nikolay

doi:10.1515/orhu-2017-0005

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…First, eagles, like many other predators (e.g. Milchev & Spassov 2017), regularly bring carcasses to the nest, which died due to diseases, other predators or human activities. Agricultural activities -especially ploughing, harvesting or mowing machines -kill or wound a large amount of animals, especially Hares, Roe Deers and Pheasants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal changes in the diet composition of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) in Hungary

Horváth¹,

Solti²,

Fatér³

et al. 2018

Ornis Hungarica

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The diet composition of breeding Eastern Imperial Eagles (Aquila heliaca) was analysed in Hungary between 2005 and 2017, and compared with two previously published datasets from the periods of 1982-1991 and 1992-2004. Altogether the distribution of 8543 prey items of 126 different species and 29 other taxa were analysed within a 36-years period. We found that the previously abundant Common Hamster (Cricetus cricetus) became marginal (7.42%), while European Sousliks (Spermophilus citellus) practically disappeared (0.03%) from the diet of Imperial Eagles. Small game species, like the Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and the Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) composed a remarkable part of the diet (11.22% and 28.11% respectively), which raised some conflicts with hunters regionally and probably also contributed to the high prevalence of persecution incidents against the eagles. In parallel with the loss of traditional prey species, corvids (13.10%), pigeons (8.90%), waterbirds (6.83%), other rodents (6.71%), Roe Deers (Capreolus capreolus) (5.59%), raptors and owls (4.88%) became regularly detected prey species. The temporal changes of the main prey categories were analysed between 1998 and 2017, when the ratio of Hamster and Pheasant showed significant decrease (-27.29% and -6.38%, respectively). The ratio of Brown Hare also showed slight decrease (-3.98%), but the change was not significant. On the other hand, the ratio of corvids, waterbirds and Roe Deers within the diet showed significant increase (+18.20%, +6.25% and +5.39%, respectively). The observed flexibility in the foraging behaviour of Imperial Eagles greatly facilitate conservation efforts, as they seems to be able to utilize the most abundant prey sources, i.e. they were not depending solely from the status of any single specific prey source. However, eagles could only shift and survive in those regions, where their traditional preys decreased, if alternative species were available for them.Összefoglalás A parlagi sasok (Aquila heliaca) táplálék-összetételét vizsgáltuk Magyarországon 2005-2017 között és összehasonlítottuk két korábban publikált időszak (1982)(1983)(1984)(1985)(1986)(1987)(1988)(1989)(1990)(1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004) adatsoraival. A 36 éves időszak alatt összesen 126 különböző fajhoz és további 29 taxonhoz tartozó 8543 zsákmányállatot sikerült beazonosítanunk. Korábban a mezei hörcsög (Cricetus cricetus) a leggyakoribb, míg a közönséges ürge (Spermophilus citellus) rendszeres zsákmánynak számított, azonban ritka zsákmánnyá váltak a 2005-2017 közötti időszakra (7,42% és 0,03%). Az apróvad-fajok közül a fácán (Phasianus colchicus) és a mezei nyúl (Lepus europaeus) jelentős részét tették ki a tápláléknak (11,22% és 28,11%), amely egyes területeken ellenérzést keltett a vadászokban, és valószínűleg szerepet játszott a sasok ellen elkövetett bűncselekmények magas gyakoriságában is. A hagyományos zsákmány-fajok visszaszorulásával párhuzamosan a varjú-(13,10%) és galambfélék (8,90%), a ví...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal changes in the diet composition of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) in Hungary

Horváth¹,

Solti²,

Fatér³

et al. 2018

Ornis Hungarica

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“…-A: feeds primarily on arthropods, for example Eurasian Scops Owl (Otus scops) (Kadochnikov 1963, Galeotti & Sacchi 2001, Lee & Severinghaus 2004) -B: species feed on arthropods and vertebrates, for example Little Owl (Athene noctua) (Glue & Scott 1980, Laursen 1981, Hounsome et al 2004, Šálek et al 2013, Hámori et al 2017, Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) (Nybo & Sonerud 1990, Sonerud 1986, 1992). -C: feeds exclusively on vertebrates, for example Great Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) (Papageorgiou et al 1993, Penteriani et al 2002, Milchev & Spassov 2017, Barn Owl (Tyto alba) (Milchev 2015, Horváth et al 2018)…”

Section: Groups and Dietmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of skull morphometric characters in Owls (Strigiformes)

et al. 2018

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Owls (Strigiformes) are small to large birds, mostly solitary and nocturnal predators. They can be found all around the Earth except Antarctica and some remote islands. The species differ in size, diet and habitat, which led to different morphological adaptations of the skull. The main differences are in the orbital and the otical region, which are connected to the visual and hearing capabilities. The aim of the recent study is to increase our knowledge of the relationship between skull shape and foraging habits and tried to find those characters that are related to diet. A geometric morphometric approach was used to analyse two-dimensional cranial landmarks. We used principal component (PC) analyses on measurements that may be related to visual and hearing abilities. The PCs are resulted in the robusticity of the skull and the asymmetry of the otical region. There are differences in position and shape of postorbital processes (POP) and tympanic wings (TW). Species with symmetrical skull shape are basically crepuscular or diurnal predators and species with more asymmetrical skulls are mostly nocturnal hunters and have better hearing capabilities.

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“…This apex predator has the potential to prey on all kinds of vertebrate groups including a large variety of mammals from the smallest insectivore to the medium-sized carnivore mammals (up to the size of Red Fox Vulpes vulpes; Obuch & Bangjord, 2016), and a wide variety of invertebrates (Penteriani & del Mar Delgado, 2019). It was also reported that B. bubo feeds on carcasses (Serrano, 2000;Díaz-Ruiz et al, 2010;Milchev & Spassov, 2017). B. bubo is a "sitand waithunter" (Cramp & Simmons, 1985;Eriksen & Wabakken, 2018) that regurgitates some parts of its prey as pellets at the perching and nesting sites (Guillaud et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Winter Diet of an Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) Near the Yedikır Dam, Amasya (Turkey)

Özkoç

Selçuk

2021

Kastamonu Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Dergisi

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Aim of study:The aim of this study was to contribute to the data on the diet of Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) in Turkey.Area of study: This study was conducted near the Yedikır Dam (Amasya) Material and methods: A total of 12 pellets of the Eurasian Eagle Owl collected in Yedikır Dam was analyzed. The remains of the skull and lower jaw were used for the identification of mammals.Main results: 60 preys were identified to belong to 6 different taxa (5 Rodents and 1 Passerine). The main prey was Mus spp. (35.0%). Only one bird remain was recorded from pellets.Highlights: Pellet analyses were the first step for understanding the diet of B. bubo. Considering, B. bubo is an opportunistic predator and can consume medium-sized mammals and large-sized birds. Hence, a diet study supported with remains that are directly collected from the nest or perching site and their surroundings will reveal more objectively prey preferences for this apex predator.

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First evidence for carrion–feeding of Eurasian Eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) in Bulgaria

Cited by 10 publications

References 20 publications

Temporal changes in the diet composition of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) in Hungary

Temporal changes in the diet composition of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) in Hungary

Analysis of skull morphometric characters in Owls (Strigiformes)

Winter Diet of an Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) Near the Yedikır Dam, Amasya (Turkey)

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