Predation by the Rufous-Banded Miner, Geositta rufipennis, on the Lizard Liolaemus leopardinus

Abstract

The South American Rufous-banded Miner, Geositta rufipennis, is known as a ground-gleaning omnivore. There is no record of predation by the species on animals other than invertebrates. Here we present photographs and describe video images of the first record of predation in the wild by an adult G. rufipennis on a neonate leopard lizard, Liolaemus leopardinus. This predation took place at El Colorado, Chile, while we were conducting research on parental behavior of L. leopardinus during the austral summer of 2013. The occurrence of predation on lizards by G. rufipennis has never been reported before. Our documentation broadens our knowledge of the feeding habits and behavior of G. rufipennis and also adds this species to the list of L. leopardinus predators.