The article published in Bird Study journal defines the diet of the greater spotted eagle in its wintering grounds in southeastern Spain and estimates the level of exposure to lead from ammunition through the analysis of pellets and prey remains. Between 2008 and 2018, 26 pellets and 29 prey remains were collected, and 10 instances of hunting were directly observed, all within the El Hondo Natural Park. All pellets and 10 of the prey remains were subjected to X-ray analysis to detect the presence of metal objects. Greater spotted eagles fed primarily on birds: 18 different species accounted for 73.1% of the total number of prey items and 66.1% of the consumed biomass. Ammunition components were detected in 42.3% of the pellets and 40.0% of the analyzed prey remains. Among the samples containing ammunition, lead shot was found in 63.9% of the pellets and 25.0% of the prey remains. These findings indicate a high risk of lead poisoning. This is likely due to several factors: the birds’ specific foraging habits, the temporal and spatial overlap between the birds’ presence and the waterfowl hunting season, and a failure to comply with the ban on the use of lead ammunition.
Pérez-García, J. M., Marco-Tresserras, J., & Orihuela-Torres, A. (2020). Winter diet and lead poisoning risk of Greater Spotted Eagles Clanga clanga in southeast Spain. Bird Study, 67(2), 224–231. https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2020.1810206