Prey size as a critical factor for bird bone taphonomy in Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) pellets

Area of Science:

• Taphonomy
• Archaeology
• Paleontology

Background:

• Predator feeding behaviors leave distinct traces on prey bones.
• Prey size is a significant factor influencing bone damage patterns.
• Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo) are common predators of small animals at archaeological sites, yet their taphonomic contributions are understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze a modern Eagle Owl pellet accumulation, focusing on avian prey.
• To investigate the impact of prey size on bone damage from Eagle Owl predation.
• To assess the significance of prey size in interpreting taphonomic data.

Main Methods:

• Collection and analysis of a modern Eagle Owl pellet deposit.
• Microscopic examination of bone fragments within pellets.
• Quantification of bone damage in relation to estimated prey size.

Main Results:

• Bone damage in Eagle Owl pellets directly correlates with increasing prey size.
• Larger prey items exhibit more pronounced bone alterations due to ingestion and digestion.
• The study confirms that prey size is a critical variable in taphonomic assessments.

Conclusions:

• Eagle Owl predation patterns, particularly prey size, significantly influence bone damage.
• Interpreting archaeological bone assemblages requires careful consideration of prey size variations.
• Bone architecture and other uncontrolled factors can complicate taphonomic diagnoses.