The breeding-season diet of wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax) in western New South Wales and the influence of Rabbit Calicivirus Disease

摘要: A total of 2071 individual prey items were identified from 34 active and 55 inactive wedge-tailed eagle nests following the 1995, 1996 1997 breeding seasons. Overall, eagle's diet was comparable to that reported in other studies within semi-arid regions, with rabbits, reptiles macropods accounting for 47.8, 22.6 13.7% items, respectively. In spring rabbit calicivirus moved into study area, resulting a 44-78% reduction abundance (Sharp et al. 2001). An index developed enable time since death be approximated historical perspective constructed. Rabbits constituted 56-69% dietary collected during pre-rabbit disease (RCD) samples, but declined 31% 16% two post-RCD samples. reciprocal trend observed proportion diet, which increased 8-21% pre-RCD 49-54% after advent RCD. Similarly, avian increase These data suggested switching may have occurred RCD epizootic. However, lack on relative abundances birds prevented an understanding functional responses definitive conclusions drawn. Nevertheless, eagles modify their change densities by consuming larger quantities native species.