Rodent predation by Turdus leucomelas (Passeriformes: Turdidae).

Abstract

Pale-breasted Thrush (Turdus leucomelas) is described as an omnivorous bird that forage solitarily or in pairs on the soil. This note reports a rodent predation event by T. leucomelas. The event was recorded on November 14th 2013, in a riparian Forest fragment of Grande River, in Igarapava Municipality, São Paulo, Brazil. Although the presence of small vertebrates on the diet of T. leucomelas is known, this is the first record of a mammal being predated by this bird species. This record is important because it contributes to a better understand of the natural history of Neotropical passerines.