The diet of the Desert Eagle Owl, Bubo bubo ascalaphus, in the Eastern Desert of Jordan

One hundred and seventy-four pellets regurgitated by one individual of the Desert race of the Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo ascalaphus) yielded 765 individuals representing five mammals (four rodents and one insectivore), undetermined snakes and lizards, at least three birds, three and two confirmed scorpions and beetles respectively, and unidentified solpugida and beetles species. By frequency, arthropods constituted 50•8% of the diet, mammals 36•8%, reptiles 9•1% and birds 3•3%. The results suggest that the Eagle Owl is an opportunistic hunter and feeds on a wide range of animals.