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The Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) is reputed to be an avivore (hence the name), but it rarely preys on birds. [5] [6] However, other species of spider have been observed to consume birds that they capture; large orb-weaving spiders, such as the golden orbweavers, have been observed to consume small birds such as mannikin and other finches.
This large and powerful bird eats mainly carrion, scraps, and faeces but will opportunistically eat almost any animal matter it can swallow. It occasionally eats other birds including Quelea nestlings, pigeons, doves, pelican and cormorant chicks, and even flamingos. During the breeding season, adults scale back on carrion and take mostly small ...
Many invertebrates, such as the carrion and burying beetles, [6] as well as maggots of calliphorid flies (such as one of the most important species in Calliphora vomitoria) and flesh-flies, also eat carrion, playing an important role in recycling nitrogen and carbon in animal remains. [7] Zoarcid fish feeding on the carrion of a mobulid ray.
An example of this phenomenon is the increased transmission of tuberculosis observed when scavengers engage in eating infected carcasses. [15] Likewise, the ingestion of bat carcasses infected with rabies by striped skunks ( Mephitis mephitis ) resulted in increased infection of these organisms with the virus.
Aquatic birds generally feed by fishing, plant eating, and piracy or kleptoparasitism. Many grassland birds are granivores. Birds of prey specialise in hunting mammals or other birds, while vultures are specialised scavengers. Birds are also preyed upon by a range of mammals including a few avivorous bats. [268]
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. Swallow-tailed kite, Elanoides forficatus (C) Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
The level of divergence is the highest of any genus of birds, being more typical of the divergence between genera or even families. The northern potoo was for a long time considered to be the same species as the common potoo , but the two species have now been separated on the basis of their calls .
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds that are small to moderately large and have a strong bill, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.