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Eurasian Eagle Owls prey on Stag Beetles

AutorInnen: 
Overmann, M., Töpfer, T.
Erscheinungsjahr: 
2021
Vollständiger Titel: 
Eurasian Eagle Owls Bubo bubo opportunistically prey on Stag Beetles Lucanus cervus
ZFMK-Autorinnen / ZFMK-Autoren: 
Org. Einordnung: 
Publiziert in: 
Ornithological Science
Publikationstyp: 
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
DOI Name: 
https://doi.org/10.2326/osj.20.235
Bibliographische Angaben: 
Overmann, M., Töpfer, T. (2021): Eurasian Eagle Owls Bubo bubo opportunistically prey on Stag Beetles Lucanus cervus. – Ornithological Science 20: 235-240.
Abstract: 

We report an exceptional case of Eurasian Eagle Owls Bubo bubo feeding on Stag Beetles Lucanus cervus in Germany, with the beetles making up 56.9% of all prey individuals. A review of literature and a comparison of data reveal that both the number and the biomass of the consumed beetles are typically too low to be of any nutritional importance with respect to the Eurasian Eagle Owl’s broad food spectrum. Therefore, we conclude that Eurasian Eagle Owls merely opportunistically fed on this only seasonally available food source and that juvenile owls might prey on these beetles during their hunting exercises.

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