Golden eagle diet in Scotland is dominated by mountain hares, rabbits, red grouse, and carrion. Prey availability directly affects eagle breeding success and individual welfare, with implications for land management priorities.
Individual golden eagles in territories with depleted prey populations struggle to provision chicks successfully, with breeding failure causing parental physiological stress from extended unsuccessful hunting. Supporting prey populations through appropriate land management and reducing driven hare hunting pressure in key eagle territories directly benefits individual eagle welfare and breeding success.