I did once find a fox scat on a malleefowl mound that had young echidna spines in it. I confess I hoped rather than expected that they’d be pointing the wrong way as the beggar backed them out. :)
Ross Macfarlane
From: Birding-Aus <> On Behalf Of Philip Veerman
Sent: Tuesday, 9 June 2020 6:55 PM
To: 'Mike Fitzgerald' <>;
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] casting
I had a quick look in HANZAB and did not find a mention of Wedge-tailed Eagles having included Echidna in their diet. I am a little surprised at that, although they are obviously a difficult prey item. Could of course have been taken as dead - carrion, such as road kill, as is a lot of their food. You probably do have other large raptors locally, even if you have not identified them. I agree that a WtE is the most likely cause. Hard to think of what other predator it could be. Though likely, that is not proof. And yes a daunting thought to have eaten this, then bring up spines as a pellet. The same applies whatever predator it was. So it is not common knowledge and would be worthy of note.
Philip
We found on our property at Barkers Vale NSW what appeared to be a raptor casting. On examination of contents it contained 100% echidna bits, all spines and one toe/claw. Having handled many of these, it is a somewhat daunting prospect as a prey item for a raptor, but I understand is recorded in Wedge Tailed Eagles. The only large raptors observed on our place have been WTE and Sooty Owl. Haven't heard the Sooty lately but have seen the wedgies overhead. Apologies if this is common knowledge or unremarkable but it is another data point (!), but the thought of thought of those sharp spines travelling in both directions through a predator is pretty clever, if a tad uncomfortable.
Would love to hear if this is a common thing and whether folks agree WTE most likely?
