The Eurasian Harvest Mouse Micromys minutus feeding on nestlings of the Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
2025
L. Hałupka | J. Płóciennik | M. Czuchra | B. Czyż
The Eurasian Harvest Mouse is the smallest rodent of Eurasia, inhabiting mostly areas with tall grasses, including reedbeds. Its food consists of mostly various plants (chiefly seeds, fruit and leaves), but also beetles and other invertebrates. Previous studies revealed the presence of mammal hair in faecal pellets of the species, but it remained unclear whether the species was a predator of other rodents or their scavenger. Here we describe the case (recording) of a Harvest Mouse consuming two 8-day-old nestlings of the Reed Warbler, a passerine bird. The Mouse foraged on soft parts of the trunk and belly, while hard parts (heads, legs and wings) remained in the nest. This observation shows that Harvest Mice may attack vertebrates. Our study provides also the first record of birds as food of the species.
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