Booted eagles, a subfamily of eagles known as Aquilinae, are primarily carnivorous birds of prey that feed on a variety of medium to large-sized birds and small to medium-sized mammals. While their diet is diverse, there is no specific evidence to suggest that booted eagles regularly consume chickens.

Booted Eagles and Their Diet

Booted eagles are characterized by their feathered tarsi, which distinguish them from other eagles in the Accipitridae family. These raptors are known to have a varied diet that includes:

• Medium to large-sized birds
• Small to medium-sized mammals
• Reptiles
• Amphibians

However, the sizes of their typical prey are significantly smaller than a standard chicken, which can weigh between 1.5 to 5 kilograms (3.3 to 11 pounds).

Ornate Hawk-Eagle and Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle

Image source: Booted eagle By Dr. Raju Kasambe

Two members of the booted eagle subfamily, the ornate hawk-eagle and the black-and-white hawk-eagle, have been studied extensively regarding their dietary preferences.

Ornate Hawk-Eagle

The ornate hawk-eagle is known to have a diverse diet that includes:

• Birds
• Mammals
• Reptiles

The smallest known mammalian prey for this species is the Mexican mouse opossum, which weighs around 40 grams (1.4 ounces). The smallest avian prey recorded is the long-tailed silky-flycatcher, which weighs around 36.3 grams (1.28 ounces). These prey sizes are significantly smaller than a typical chicken.

Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle

The black-and-white hawk-eagle has a diet that consists of:

• Toads
• Mammals
• Squamates
• A wide variety of water birds

While there have been reported sightings of this bird attacking tree monkeys, there is no evidence to suggest that it consumes chickens or other domestic fowl.

Conclusion

In summary, while booted eagles have a varied diet that includes birds, mammals, and reptiles, there is no specific evidence to suggest that they regularly consume chickens. The sizes of their typical prey are significantly smaller than a standard chicken, indicating that chickens are not a common prey item for these raptors.

It is important to note that the diets of raptors can vary depending on their habitat, prey availability, and individual hunting strategies. While booted eagles are not known to prey on chickens, other raptor species, such as the red-tailed hawk and the Cooper’s hawk, have been observed occasionally targeting domestic fowl.

References:
– Ornate Hawk-Eagle
– Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle
– Chicken
– Red-tailed Hawk
– Cooper’s Hawk