☆ 4.0 Article

Galapagos Mockingbird (Mimus parvulus) Preys on an Invasive Mammal

WILSON JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY (2015)

Journal

WILSON JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY

Volume 127, Issue 1, Pages 138-141

Publisher

WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOC

DOI: 10.1676/14-055.1

Keywords

bashing; behavior; Galapagos; Mimus parvulus; predation; rodent

Categories

Ornithology

Funding

Earthwatch Institute
Sigma Xi
National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Les Fonds Quebecois de la Recherche sur la Nature et les Technologies (FQRNT)
Sistema Nacional de Investigacion (SNI)
Secretaria Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacion (SENACYT)

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Abstract

Galapagos Mockingbirds (Mimus parvulus) are opportunistic feeders that have been observed engaging in a variety of unusual predatory behaviors. Here, we report on a specific behavior that we observed: a Galapagos Mockingbird preying on an invasive mammal by repeatedly hitting it on the ground. We discuss the reasons that the mockingbird might have engaged in this behavior and the potential implications this could have for native biodiversity and conservation on the Galapagos Islands.

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