The diet of breeding Osprey Pandion haliaetus on Corsica: Exploitation of a coastal marine environment

Abstract

The diet of breeding Ospreys Pandion haliaetus on Corsica (Western Mediterranean) has been studied by identifying fish remains collected at nests between 1983 and 1992. Twelve species of fish have been identified, of which mullets (4 species) made up to 73% of the identified prey remains. Other major identified prey were bream (2 species) and Saupe. The mean lengths of mullet were estimated as 297 mm and mean weight as 235 g, whereas the bream were larger. The fish identified in the diet remains are the most abundant species in this area of Corsica, and live near the surface; they are also mainly resident species. We suggest that they thus make predictable year-round prey for resident Osprey in Corsica. © 1998 British Trust for Ornithology.