Current methods and future directions in avian diet analysis

Abstract Identifying the composition of avian diets is a critical step in characterizing roles birds within ecosystems. However, because are diverse taxonomic group with equally dietary habits, gaining an accurate and thorough understanding diet can be difficult. In addition to overcoming inherent difficulties studying birds, field advancing rapidly, researchers challenged myriad methods study diet, task that has only become more difficult introduction laboratory techniques studies. Because methodology drives inference, it important aware capabilities limitations each method ensure results their interpreted correctly. few reviews exist which detail traditional used studies, even fewer framing these through bird-specific lens. Here, we discuss strengths morphological prey identification, DNA-based techniques, stable isotope analysis, tracing biomolecules throughout food webs. We identify areas improvement for method, provide instances combination yield most comprehensive findings, introduce potential avenues combining from technique unified framework, present recommendations future focus research.