We studied the diet of a coastal population of European bee-eaters during the 1986 breeding season by pellet analysis and estimates of prey availability. The results showed that the population fed preferentially on Hymenoptera, which were more preyed upon than their availability in both May and July. Beetles were the second prey category, Odonata and Hemiptera being included in the diet mainly in July, when food needs of the chicks forced the adults to include larger prey items in their diet. Diptera were always rejected by bee-eaters despite their great availability in both months.

Diet of a coastal population of the European bee-eaters compared to prey availability (Tuscany, Central Italy)

GALEOTTI, PAOLO;
1993-01-01

Abstract

We studied the diet of a coastal population of European bee-eaters during the 1986 breeding season by pellet analysis and estimates of prey availability. The results showed that the population fed preferentially on Hymenoptera, which were more preyed upon than their availability in both May and July. Beetles were the second prey category, Odonata and Hemiptera being included in the diet mainly in July, when food needs of the chicks forced the adults to include larger prey items in their diet. Diptera were always rejected by bee-eaters despite their great availability in both months.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11571/147478
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