Belding's Savannah Sparrows eat eggs from live fiddler crabs

Authors
deRivera, CE
Citation
Ce. Derivera, Belding's Savannah Sparrows eat eggs from live fiddler crabs, WILSON B, 112(3), 2000, pp. 427-428
Citations number
11
Categorie Soggetti
Animal Sciences
Journal title
WILSON BULLETIN
ISSN journal
00435643 → ACNP
Volume
112
Issue
3
Year of publication
2000
Pages
427 - 428
Database
ISI
SICI code
0043-5643(200009)112:3<427:BSSEEF>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
On 17 occasions in Chula Vista, California, at least one Belding's Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi) was observed chasing egg-carr ying female fiddler crabs (Uca crenulata) and pecking eggs from ones it cau ght. Sparrows did not eat any part of the adult crab while eating the eggs. A fledgling learned this novel hunting technique after accompanying its pa rent for a month.