Black grouse as the prey of the golden eagle at an archaeological site

Distinguishing nonhuman predation on birds: pattern of damage done by the white-tailed eagle Haliaetus albicilla, with comments on the punctures made by the golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos

“…This strengthens the evidence that uneaten food remains of eagles and possibly other diurnal raptors can be recognized by equal preservation of proximal and distal parts of their victims' limb bones (Table 5). Another feature typical of uneaten food remains of most diurnal birds of prey is a great predominance of wing over the leg elements (Bochenski, 2005: p. 34;Bochenski and Tornberg, 2003;Bochenski et al, 1999;Bramwell et al, 1987;Laroulandie, 2000Laroulandie, , 2002Mlikovsky, 1996). The present material fits perfectly into this category, which again confirms the observation that uneaten food remains are readily recognizable from pellet remains of owls and diurnal raptors where the predominance of wing elements is low or not present at all (Bochenski, 2005).…”

“…It may even happen that certain parts and/or layers in a site otherwise occupied by humans were deposited by raptors, or vice versa (e.g. Bramwell et al, 1987;De Cupere et al, 2008).…”

Corroded, Thinned and Polished Bones Created by Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos): Taphonomic Implications for Archaeological Interpretations

“…Andrews (1990: 75) similarly found that on a relative scale of 1-5 (1 representing absent to minimal digestion; 5 representing extreme digestion), molar digestion in diurnal raptors scores a 5. Bramwell, Yalden and Yalden (1987) examined remains of black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) recovered from a cave in England. They concluded that these bones had been deposited in the cave by golden eagles, and that both human and eagle behaviour may lead to the differential deposition of upper leg and wing bones in some cave sites.…”

Tafonomía De Los Microvertebrados Del Sitio Arqueológico Cueva Tixi (Pleistoceno Tardío–holoceno Tardío), Tandilia Oriental (Provincia De Buenos Aires, Argentina)

“…Se han desarrollado diversos índices con el objetivo de medir la preservación relativa entre distintas partes del esqueleto de mamíferos, aves y anuros (Bramwell et al, 1987;Andrews, 1990;Pinto Llona y Andrews, 1999;Bochenski y Tornberg, 2003, entre otros). En esta contribución se tomaron índices de todos los tipos con el fin de presentar valores comparables a publicaciones de referencia, se han adaptado algunos para el caso de estudio y se construyeron otros para resolver alguna cuestión específica.…”

“…9) Relación entre cinturas y elementos de los miembros (ICMaves). Este índice mide la preservación proporcional de los huesos de las cinturas escapular y pélvica respecto de los huesos largos de las aves (Bramwell et al, 1987): ICMaves: 100 x (NEIT esternón + coracoides + escápula + pelvis)/(NEIT esternón + coracoides + escápula + pelvis) + (NEIT húmero + ulna + radio + carpometacarpo + fémur + tibiotarso + tarsometatarso).…”