Booted eagles (Hieraaetus pennatus) are medium-sized birds of prey known for their diverse diet, which includes a range of animals such as birds, small mammals, reptiles, rodents, amphibians, and insects. While there is some evidence that frogs may be part of their diet, the extent to which booted eagles consume frogs has not been conclusively demonstrated, particularly in certain populations.

Booted Eagle’s Diet Composition

Booted eagles are opportunistic hunters and have been observed to prey on a wide variety of animals, including:

• Birds
• Small mammals
• Reptiles
• Rodents
• Amphibians (including frogs)
• Insects

They employ different hunting strategies, such as perching from a lookout, hunting on the ground, or circling open country at various altitudes to catch their prey.

Frogs in the Booted Eagle’s Diet

Image source: Booted eagle By Dr. Raju Kasambe

While there is some evidence that frogs may be an important part of the booted eagle’s diet in certain regions, this has not been consistently observed across all populations. Studies conducted in southwestern South Africa, for example, found that booted eagles primarily consumed birds, lizards, and rodents, with no small prey such as insects, amphibians, or small reptiles being detected in their diet.

The absence of small prey like frogs in the booted eagle’s diet in some areas could be due to methodological biases in the research, but this has not been definitively proven. It is possible that the availability and abundance of other prey items, such as birds and small mammals, may play a role in determining the extent to which booted eagles include frogs in their diet.

Booted Eagles as Ecological Indicators

Booted eagles are considered ecological top predators and play a crucial role as bioindicators of the health of their habitats. They are often found in areas with a high level of biodiversity, such as forest edges with natural openings or traditional organic agriculture practices.

However, large-scale agricultural operations that rely heavily on pesticides and other biocides can have a negative impact on the biodiversity and prey availability for booted eagles. This has led the European Union to approve a strategy to halt the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, which includes measures to protect species like the booted eagle.

Conclusion

In summary, while booted eagles are known to consume a wide range of prey, including amphibians like frogs, the extent to which frogs are a significant part of their diet has not been conclusively demonstrated across all populations. Further research is needed to fully understand the dietary habits of these birds and their role as ecological indicators in various landscapes.

References:
– Hieraaetus pennatus – Animal Diversity Web. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hieraaetus_pennatus/
– Booted Eagle v Goliath Frog – Carnivora. (2022, February 23). Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://carnivora.net/booted-eagle-v-goliath-frog-t11757.html
– Tawny eagle – Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawny_eagle
– Booted eagle – Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booted_eagle
– food of the booted eagle (hieraaetus pennatus). (1975). Journal of Raptor Research, 20(3/4), 120-123. https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/jrr/v020n03-04/p00120-p00123.pdf.