White-tailed eagles, also known as sea eagles, primarily feed on fish, but they also eat other birds and occasionally hunt small mammals. However, there is no evidence that white-tailed eagles regularly hunt red squirrels. In Scotland, where white-tailed eagles nest in forests with healthy populations of red squirrels, there has been no evidence of red squirrels being brought to the nest as a prey item.

What Do White-Tailed Eagles Eat?

White-tailed eagles have a broad and varied diet, and they tend to favor the most seasonally abundant prey, including carrion. Their diet consists mainly of:

• Fish: White-tailed eagles are skilled hunters and can catch fish from the water’s surface or even dive into the water to catch them.
• Birds: They will hunt other birds, such as waterfowl, and may also scavenge on dead birds.
• Small mammals: Occasionally, white-tailed eagles will hunt small mammals, such as rabbits or hares, but there is no evidence that they regularly hunt red squirrels.
• Carrion: White-tailed eagles are known to scavenge on dead animals, including fish, birds, and marine mammals that have washed up on the shore.

Do White-Tailed Eagles Prey on Red Squirrels?

Image source: white tailed eagle by Andreas Weith

In Scotland, where white-tailed eagles nest in forests with healthy populations of red squirrels, there has been no evidence of red squirrels being brought to the nest as a prey item. This suggests that white-tailed eagles do not regularly hunt red squirrels.

In fact, it is possible that white-tailed eagles may have indirect benefits to red squirrels if they predate buzzards, which are known to prey on red squirrels. By reducing the number of buzzards, white-tailed eagles could help protect the red squirrel population.

White-Tailed Eagles and Other Wildlife

White-tailed eagles are not a threat to other wildlife, as they have a broad and varied diet and tend to favor the most seasonally abundant prey, including carrion. They will also tend to target injured, sick, or dying waterfowl when hunting.

In many parts of Europe, white-tailed eagles coexist with the same range of species that occur in wetland and coastal habitats as in the Solent and surrounding region in both summer and winter, with no negative effects.

Conclusion

In summary, while white-tailed eagles primarily feed on fish, they also eat other birds and occasionally hunt small mammals. However, there is no evidence that they regularly hunt red squirrels. Instead, they have a broad and varied diet and tend to favor the most seasonally abundant prey, including carrion. They are not a threat to other wildlife, as they tend to target injured, sick, or dying waterfowl when hunting.

References:
– Fascinating Facts – Sea Eagles – The Scots Magazine. https://www.scotsmagazine.com/articles/fascinating-facts-sea-eagles/
– White-tailed eagles, seals & otters: Scotland’s amazing wildlife. https://www.robertefuller.com/diary/white-tailed-eagles-seals-otters-scotlands-amazing-wildlife/
– White-tailed Eagle FAQs – Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation. https://www.roydennis.org/white-tailed-eagle-project-frequently-asked-questions/
– White-tailed eagle – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_eagle
– White-Tailed Eagles – Pete Walkden Photography. https://www.petewalkden.co.uk/2017/11/01/white-tailed-eagles/