Stephanie Payne, Zinhle Sithole, Karabo Moloi, Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen, Grant D. Martin

First record of small mammal predation by a Bokmakierie on a Forest Shrew in eastern Free State Province, South Africa

Introduction

First record of small mammal predation by a bokmakierie on a forest shrew in eastern free state province, south africa. First record: Bokmakierie preys on Forest Shrew in eastern Free State, South Africa. This novel camera-trap observation offers crucial insights into the bird's diet and local ecological interactions.

Abstract

This article reports on a novel observation of predation behaviour exhibited by a Bokmakierie (Telophorus zeylonus) on a Forest Shrew (Myosorex varius), captured via a Bushnell remote camera trap in the eastern Free State of South Africa. This documentation marks, to our knowledge, one of the first recorded instances of such predation, providing insights into the Bokmakierie diet and ecological interactions within this habitat.

Review

This article presents a compelling and significant natural history observation: the first recorded instance of a Bokmakierie (Telophorus zeylonus) predating a Forest Shrew (Myosorex varius). Captured via remote camera trap in the eastern Free State, South Africa, this documentation provides novel insights into the dietary breadth of the Bokmakierie and illuminates a previously unrecorded ecological interaction within this habitat. The rarity of such direct observations makes this report particularly valuable for avian ecology and serves as a crucial addition to our understanding of species interactions. The primary strength of this submission lies in its robust documentation of a novel predatory event. While a single observation, the use of a remote camera trap lends credibility and verifiable evidence to this finding, which is often challenging to obtain for secretive species interactions. This record significantly expands our understanding of the Bokmakierie's trophic role, suggesting a more opportunistic or varied diet that includes small mammals, an aspect not widely reported for this predominantly insectivorous and frugivorous species. Furthermore, it contributes to the broader ecological knowledge of both predator and prey species in the South African ecosystem. Publishing such first-record observations is crucial for building a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity and ecological relationships. This article serves as an excellent example of how focused observational studies, even those documenting single events, can contribute substantially to natural history. While it represents a singular event, it opens avenues for future research into the frequency of small mammal predation by Bokmakieries, potential regional variations in diet, and the broader context of avian predation on shrews. This valuable contribution to the scientific literature will undoubtedly spark further interest in the intricate food webs of southern African avifauna.

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