Avivore
An avivore is a specialized predator of birds, with birds making up a large proportion of its diet. Such bird-eating animals come from a range of groups.
Birds
Birds that are specialized predators of other birds include certain falcons and accipiters. General features of avian avivores include a skull form which is well adapted for grasping and crushing with the beak, although not especially well structured for neck twisting motions.[1] Bird-eating raptors also tend to show greater sexual dimorphism than other raptors, with the females being larger than the males.[2]
Some avian avivores such as the shikra, besra, Eurasian sparrowhawk, and sharp-shinned hawk catch their prey by flying from cover in a tree or bush, taking their prey unawares. In contrast, the lanner falcon hunts in open country taking birds by horizontal pursuit. The aplomado falcon will use both ambush and more extended flights.[3] The peregrine falcon dives on flying birds from a great height at speeds that can exceed 300 km/h.
The extinct Haast's eagle of New Zealand preyed on the large flightless bird species of the region such as the moa.
Mammals
In certain
A number of mammal species are specialized predators of birds. The
Many mammals, such as
Amphibians
The
Arachnids
The Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) was named by explorers who saw it eating a hummingbird.
References
- JSTOR 4089021. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
- S2CID 84638335. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
- ^ "Northern Aplomado Falcon". Pima.gov. 1986-03-27. Archived from the original on 2006-05-11. Retrieved 2013-07-27.
- ^ "Bird-Eating Fanged Frog Found in Thailand". CBS News. 2009-09-25. Retrieved 2013-07-27.