Tawny eagles are large birds of prey known for their adaptability and opportunistic feeding habits. They are generalist carnivores and formidable hunters, with a diet that relies mainly on fresh carrion of animals that have recently been killed. However, tawny eagles also eat insects and kill small animals such as smaller birds, rabbits, and reptiles including lizards and snakes. They can even tackle mammals as large as hares.
Tawny Eagles’ Varied Diet
Tawny eagles are highly adaptable predators with a varied diet that includes other birds. Their diet consists of:
- Fresh carrion of recently killed animals
- Insects
- Small animals such as:
- Smaller birds
- Rabbits
- Reptiles (lizards and snakes)
- Mammals as large as hares
Tawny Eagles as Opportunistic Scavengers and Kleptoparasites
Image source: Tawny Eagle by Bernard DUPONT
Tawny eagles are also opportunistic scavengers and kleptoparasites, often stealing prey from other raptors. They have been observed alongside other large raptors, such as vultures, ripping into carcasses. In fact, tawny eagles are the only type of eagle that regularly scavenge from humans.
Prey Size and Hunting Strategies
While most prey the tawny eagle will take alive will weigh not less than 125 g (4.4 oz) and not more than 2.5 kg (5.5 lb), live prey has been revealed to be regularly more variable than even that estimate represents. One compilation study showed that, compared to 8 other Aquila and spotted eagles, the tawny eagle’s diet was the most evenly spread across all weight classes of prey from under 63 g (2.2 oz) to over 4 kg (8.8 lb), though took prey in the latter prey class slightly less so than the much larger golden and wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax).
Tawny eagles have been observed hunting in pairs, particularly during the breeding season. This tandem hunting involves one bird engaging in conspicuous flight to distract the quarry while another flies inconspicuously to sneak up on and kill the prey. This hunting strategy has been reported in other tandem hunting raptors, and is thought to be an effective way of securing larger prey.
Tawny eagles have also been observed hunting avian prey in the air, with reported kills including speckled pigeons (Columba guinea). This indicates that tawny eagles are capable of pursuing and capturing birds in flight, adding to their already impressive hunting repertoire.
Conclusion
In summary, tawny eagles are highly adaptable predators with a varied diet that includes other birds. They are formidable hunters and opportunistic scavengers, capable of taking down prey both on the ground and in the air. Their hunting strategies, including tandem hunting in pairs, make them effective predators in a range of habitats.
References:
– Tawny Eagle
– Tawny Eagle
– Eagles of Africa
