The diet of the Sea Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla and Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos in western Scotland |
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| Authors: | J. WATSON A. F. LEITCH R. A. BROAD |
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| Affiliation: | Nature Conservancy Council Fraser Darling House, 9 Culduthel Road, Inverness IV2 4AG;Nature Conservancy Council, Wynne-Edwards House, 17 Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen AB1 1XE;Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, 6 Birch Road, Kllkarn, Glasgow G63 9SQ, UK |
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| Abstract: | The diets of Sea Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla and Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos living sympatrically in western Scotland were studied using pellets and prey remains collected at roosts and nest sites throughout the year. Both species showed changes in diet between winter and summer, and there were differences between species in both seasons. As a rule, Sea Eagles took proportionately more seabirds, waterfowl (ducks and waders) and fish, whilst Golden Eagles took proportionately more rabbits and hares. Sea Eagles had a broader diet than Golden Eagles but a measure of dietary overlap based on taxonomic composition indicated an overlap of more than 90% between the two species. |
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