NEW RESEARCH has shown that birds of prey in medieval Britain relied more heavily on human food waste than previously thought.
A study conducted by the University of Reading has shown that ancient birds such as red kites, buzzards, and eagles were fed extensively on discarded scraps.
Those which lived near population centres, such as the towns of Oxford, Winchester, and London, subsisted on waste left by humans rather than hunting large prey.
The research, published today (Thursday, January 16) in the Journal of Archaeological Science, examined chemical signatures in bird bones up to 4,000 years old to reveal their diets.
Researchers examined bones from 11 red kites, 18 common buzzards, and three white-tailed eagles, all found at archaeological sites across Britain.
Their findings revealed that the relationship between avian species and human settlements stretches back millenia.
Researchers believe that the lack of rabbits in the UK before medieval times could be a contributing factor, causing them to scavenge for waste products, which were considerable more abundant.
They found also that the chemical signatures in the bones of the birds was similar to those of humans living in the same area, which suggests that they regularly fed on similar foods, likely sourced from waste dumps and butcheries.
The birds’ adaptability is particularly evident in medieval towns–red kites from Oxford, Winchester, and other urban sites showed the strongest evidence of feeding on human waste, with chemical signatures indicating they ate more processed foods than their rural counterparts.
Today’s red kites in urban areas like Reading display similar adaptable feeding habits to their medieval ancestors by taking advantage of food waste and scraps left in gardens.
Researchers say the findings could prove valuable for managing growing raptor populations in modern urban areas while maintaining positive public attitudes towards the protected species.
Juliette Waterman, lead researcher at the University of Reading, said: “Historical records show medieval red kites stole food from markets and snatched morsels from people’s hands. Some kites showed evidence of eating entirely human-sourced food – a diet very different from modern birds, which mainly hunt rabbits and small mammals.”
Juliette Waterman, lead researcher at the University of Reading, said: “Historical records show medieval red kites stole food from markets and snatched morsels from people’s hands.
“Some kites showed evidence of eating entirely human-sourced food–a diet very different from modern birds, which mainly hunt rabbits and small mammals.”
