Marsh harrier eating carrion (1 Viewer)

F

Fernando np

Well-known member

• Jan 22, 2019

• #1

Hi,

This morning, I've been surprised by a marsh harrier laboriously eating on a roe deer. The mammals was a roadkill. The raptor was taking advantage of the flesh what had left without skin cause of the accident.
This bird is common in my area and this has been the first time I've seen one eating carrion. The same can be said about hen and montagu's harriers, also common. Eating carrion can't be a important source of food for harriers, at least here, in the middle of Spain.
I'd like to know your opinions.

Fernando

 

M

markho

Well-known member

• Jan 22, 2019

• #2

Last year I was lucky enough to spend 3 weeks on the Greek island of Antikythira as part of a ringing team during April. They trapped and rung Marsh Harriers and Pallied Harriers, all attracted to carrion which was used as bait. Apparently when the birds are migrating feeding on carrion for Harriers of all types is quite common

 

M

markho

Well-known member

• Jan 22, 2019

• #3

Photo taken last Spring of a Pallid Harrier caught and rung using carrion as bait

 

Attachments

• 
  LRM_EXPORT_22903558257364_20190122_182144958-656x1023.jpeg

  120.2 KB · Views: 130

M

markho

Well-known member

• Jan 22, 2019

• #4

Marsh Harrier also caught and rung om Antikythira using Carrion as bait

 

Attachments

• 
  DSC_2698-921x1393.jpg

  73.9 KB · Views: 52

H

Himalaya

Well-known member

• Feb 1, 2019

• #5

I am sure Marsh Harriers have been recorded feeding on carrion at Martin Mere Nature Reserve, Lancashire in the winter.

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Feb 1, 2019

• #6

AFAIK, almost anything will eat carrion, so long as they feel safe doing so - it is after all, free protein. Even cows have been recorded eating carrion. The problems for opportunist scavenging are in terms of whether the meat is fresh enough to be safe, and whether there might be a stronger predator (potential original killer of the carrion) or dedicated scavenger hiding nearby that could be a threat.

 

J

Jack Dawe

Well-known member

• Feb 2, 2019

• #7

Nutcracker said:

AFAIK, almost anything will eat carrion, so long as they feel safe doing so - it is after all, free protein.

Click to expand...

As featured the other night on "Winterwatch":-

 

Attachments

• 
  1.jpg

  74.4 KB · Views: 67

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Feb 2, 2019

• #8

Jack Dawe said:

As featured the other night on "Winterwatch":-

Click to expand...

This is an amazing article Jack!

 

perlin

Well-known member

• Feb 2, 2019

• #9

I have watched a greatit eating meat of a part deconposed rabbit out side a fox earth,side of the river calder in Lancashire.

 

W

WalterRayle

Well-known member

• Feb 2, 2019

• #10

I saw a Turnstone pulling bits of flesh off a dolphin corpse at Lymington marshes, Hants many years ago, I have some photos of it somewhere. The dolphin didn't have a head which made it easier for the Turnstone to pull the flesh from the exposed flesh of the neck.

 

jurek

Well-known member

• Feb 2, 2019

• #11

Harrier sometimes eating carrion should be pretty normal.

People put automatic cameras at carrion in Poland and found that everything carnivore sometimes eats carrion, even small raptors, small mustelids and owls. Also woodpeckers and tits (that is why people put a pice of fat out of the window for Bluetits).

 

Last edited: Feb 2, 2019

pete seaman

Well-known member

• Feb 5, 2019

• #12

Nutcracker said:

AFAIK, almost anything will eat carrion, so long as they feel safe doing so - it is after all, free protein. Even cows have been recorded eating carrion. The problems for opportunist scavenging are in terms of whether the meat is fresh enough to be safe, and whether there might be a stronger predator (potential original killer of the carrion) or dedicated scavenger hiding nearby that could be a threat.

Click to expand...

Quite agree Nutcracker,in my opinion any raptor (ih the UK at least) will eat carrion it is easier than hunting especially in winter. On rare occasions,here in the Dales we have even seen the feisty little Merlin pull at carrion

 

M

mudman

Well-known member

• Feb 7, 2019

• #13

I saw a March harrier feeding on a roadkill pheasant last autumn

 

M

mudman

Well-known member

• Feb 7, 2019

• #14

I saw a marsh harrier feeding on a roadkill pheasant this autumn. A long way from typical habitat too.

 

Attachments

• 
  IMG_3302.jpg

  92.7 KB · Views: 42