Birds of prey in medieval Britain relied far more heavily on scavenging human waste than previously thought, according to research that analyzed more than 30 ancient bird skeletons.
New research, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, examined chemical signatures in bird bones up to 4,000 years old to reveal their diets. It appears that ancient red kites, buzzards, and eagles that lived near towns such as Oxford, Winchester, and London fed extensively on scraps rather than hunting live prey.
Juliette Waterman, lead researcher at the University of Reading, said, “Historical records show medieval red kites stole food from markets and snatched morsels from people’s hands. Some kites showed evidence of eating entirely human-sourced food—a diet very different from modern birds, which mainly hunt rabbits and small mammals.”
No rabbits, just titbits

The study involved researchers examining bones from 11 red kites, 18 common buzzards and three white-tailed eagles found at archaeological sites across Britain. It revealed a relationship between birds of prey and human settlements, which stretches back thousands of years.
The absence of rabbits in Britain before medieval times likely pushed birds of prey to find alternative food in human settlements, where waste was abundant. Analysis showed medieval birds had similar chemical signatures in their bones to humans living in the same areas, suggesting they regularly scavenged from rubbish dumps and butchery waste.
The birds’ adaptability is particularly evident in medieval towns. Red kites from Oxford, Winchester and other urban sites showed the strongest evidence of feeding on human waste, with chemical signatures indicating they ate more processed foods than their rural counterparts.
Today, red kites in urban areas like Reading display similar adaptable feeding habits to those of their medieval ancestors by taking advantage of food waste and scraps left in gardens.
SOURCE:
Medieval birds of prey thrived on human waste, study finds
Press Release from the University of Reading:
READ MORE:
Tracking 4000 years of raptor diets through isotope analysis reveals urban scavenging with implications for conservation
By Juliette Waterman, Stuart Black, Naomi Sykes, William F. Mills, Sean Doherty, Hannah Britton, Riley Smallman, Alison Sheridan, Andrew C. Kitchener, Mark D.E. Fellowes
In: Journal of Archaeological Science (2025) Volume 175, 106147