Carol
Barker and Vestjens in their "The Food of Australian Birds" lists only
three species as recorded in the literature eating leeches.
They are the;
Sacred Ibis From Carrick's study of Sacred and Straw-necked Ibis,
CSIRO Wildl. Res. 4:69-92 (1959).
Straw-necked Ibis From Carrick (1959).
Musk Duck Record from CSIRO Collection.
As these three species are seldom seen in Rainforest the leeches do
not have much to worry about.There are probably a number of waterbirds
which commonly eat leeches but have not been recorded.
Best wishes
Alan Leishman
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Subject: birding-aus Leeches for lunch?
Author: "Carol Probets" <> at mailgate
Date: 12/4/99 2:13
After a recent rainforest walk, as we sat there picking off the
inevitable leeches, the question arose: Are there any birds which eat
leeches?
I couldn't think of any examples, and although leeches belong to the
same phylum as earthworms (Annelida) I reckon they would be a much
less inviting meal for a bird. I would imagine that unless they were
properly killed (difficult to do) they would probably attach to the
inside of the digestive tract. Does anyone know of any birds that
successfully feed on leeches (either terrestrial or aquatic)?
Cheers,
Carol
Carol Probets
Katoomba NSW
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