A recent study reveals that medieval birds in Winchester relied heavily on human food scraps for survival
Winchester: A fascinating study has come to light about birds of prey in medieval times. Researchers found that these birds, like red kites and buzzards, were not just hunting for food. Instead, they were scavenging human scraps!
Published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, the study looked at the bones of over 30 ancient birds. It turns out they were living near towns like Winchester and were pretty resourceful. They fed on leftovers rather than chasing down live prey.
This scavenging behavior goes way back, stretching thousands of years. The researchers examined bones from various sites across Britain, including 11 red kites and 18 buzzards. They discovered that these birds had a diet that was quite different from what we see today.
Interestingly, before medieval times, rabbits were scarce. So, these birds turned to human settlements where food waste was abundant. Juliette Waterman, the lead researcher, shared that historical records show red kites stealing food from markets and snatching bites right from people’s hands!
Some of these kites even had diets made up entirely of human-sourced food. That’s a far cry from modern birds that mainly hunt rabbits and small mammals. The study found that the chemical signatures in the bones of these birds matched those of humans living nearby, indicating they were regular scavengers.
In urban areas like Winchester, the red kites showed the strongest evidence of feeding on human waste. They were eating more processed foods compared to their rural cousins. The researchers believe that understanding these ancient birds’ scavenging habits could help manage today’s growing raptor populations in cities.
Interestingly, modern red kites in places like Reading are still showing similar habits. They’re taking advantage of food scraps left in gardens, just like their medieval ancestors. This study really sheds light on the long-standing relationship between birds of prey and human settlements, showing how adaptable these scavengers have been for centuries.
