Eastern imperial eagles are known to be opportunistic predators, feeding on a wide variety of prey species. While their diet primarily consists of small to medium-sized mammals, birds, reptiles, and even fish, they are also known to scavenge on dead animals, a behavior known as carrion feeding.
Prevalence of Carrion Feeding in Eastern Imperial Eagles
- During the winter months, up to 53.7% of the eastern imperial eagle’s dietary intake can consist of carrion.
- In some breeding populations, they may even come to rely on dead or injured prey provided by humans, often due to intensive agricultural practices.
- In Jordan, a wintering population of eastern imperial eagles obtained 53.7% of their dietary intake from carrion.
- In the Czech Republic, some breeding populations have been observed to rely on dead or already injured prey inadvertently provided by humans.
- In Slovakia, adult eagles have been known to practice kleptoparasitism while nesting, regularly robbing other species of raptorial birds of their fresh catches.
Prey Preferences of Eastern Imperial Eagles
Image source: eastern imperial eagle By Koshy Koshy
Eastern imperial eagles are opportunistic predators, feeding on a wide variety of prey species. Their diet includes:
| Prey Type | Percentage of Diet |
|---|---|
| Small to medium-sized mammals (e.g., hares, rodents, insectivores) | Primary |
| Birds (especially young or fledglings) | Secondary |
| Reptiles (e.g., tortoises, lizards, snakes) | Tertiary |
| Fish and invertebrates | Rarely |
- In Europe, the prey type most often associated with the eastern imperial eagle has been ground squirrels and hamsters.
- However, recent studies have shown that European hare (Lepus europaeus) are the primary food source, making up 27.4% of a total of 8,543 prey items in Hungary.
- The second most common prey in Hungary is the European hamster (Cricetus cricetus), at 12.71% of the diet.
Dietary Adaptations in Different Climates
- In more arid climates, reptiles such as tortoises, spiny-tailed lizards, and monitor lizards can be especially important in the diet of eastern imperial eagles.
- These eagles have no problem subduing large snakes, including Aesculapian snakes and very aggressive venomous snakes such as Russell’s viper.
- In Bulgaria, eastern imperial eagles feed exclusively on different rodents, mostly in winter, and also consume hedgehogs, sousliks, and white storks during the breeding season.
Conclusion
In summary, eastern imperial eagles are opportunistic predators that readily scavenge on dead animals, particularly during the winter months when up to 53.7% of their dietary intake can consist of carrion. They have a diverse diet that includes small to medium-sized mammals, birds, reptiles, and even fish, with their prey preferences varying based on the local climate and availability of resources.
References:
– https://www.thainationalparks.com/species/eastern-imperial-eagle
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_imperial_eagle
– https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/77746/instance/7528350/
