The research reveals that birds of prey in medieval Britain mostly scavenged human waste, a significant lifestyle change from their modern hunting habits.
Historical records indicate that red kites not only scavenged for scraps in markets but were integral urban scavengers, reflecting a complex relationship with humans.
Stable isotope analysis of bones showed that medieval birds, like common buzzards, had diets influenced heavily by human refuse, highlighting their adaptive scavenging behavior.
The findings suggest that a lack of natural prey pushed these birds towards exploiting human food sources, underscoring their role within medieval urban ecosystems.
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