FEEDING-HABITS OF THE LONG-LEGGED BUZZARD (BUTEO-RUFINUS) DURING BREEDING IN NORTHEASTERN GREECE

The feeding habits of the long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus) were stu died in the Evros area in northeastern Greece during the breeding seas on. In terms of biomass, the diet consisted of 59% mammals, 27% reptil es, 13% birds, 0.6% insects, and 0.4% centipedes. Prey carried to nest s consisted of 58% mammals, 37% reptiles, 1% birds, and 1% amphibians; 3% unidentified. A combined analysis of pellets and prey remains was used to describe the most important prey types. Avian prey were signif icantly less frequent in pellets in the summer than in the spring; ins ects were significantly more numerous in the summer. Significantly hig her numbers of reptiles were found in pellets from nests in hilly area s than from those in areas on the plains.