Analysis of Prey Composition in Eurasian Reed Warblers’ Acrocephalus scirpaceus Droppings at Four Breeding Sites in Italy

Our aim was to investigate the among-populations diversity of prey composition in Eurasian Reed Warblers’ diets via their droppings, both assess ecological validity this sampling method and test whether species most abundant fecal samples were also present Italian study site. We collected at four sites throughout Italy, for a total 144 samples. Within reedbeds, breeding habitat Warbler, we arthropods by carrying out entomological sweepings one sites. samples, identified dozens species, belonging mainly Araneae, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera Aphidoidea taxa, whose compositions not statistically different among The commonest Coleoptera droppings (68.5%) Diptera reedbeds (31.3%), although latter less numerous populations Warbler emerging from our underline strong Coleopteran presence, without differences across Italy. Fecal appear be an exhaustive variation diet its importance; however, potential caveats do exist, such as possible under-representation Diptera.