Who wants mice if there's seafood? Crayfish as a novel food resource for
a generalist avian predator.
Abstract
Generalist predators can exploit a wide range of food resources, making
them more adaptable to many habitats and situations. Sometimes, the
introduction or appearing of new species can lead to the exploitation of
this resource, especially when it is abundant. In this sense, American
crayfishes, being one of the most dangerous exotic species in the World
are an important food resource to some species in their foreign
distribution range. Here, we describe a new behaviour and food source
for common buzzards (Buteo buteo) observed in Western Iberia. American
crayfishes seem to be a recurrent food source for buzzards in late
summer, showing a riverbank patrolling behaviour through riparian
forests, overlapping the consumption of this crustacean with other
carnivore species such as foxes (Vulpes vulpes), american mink (Neogale
vison) and Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra).