A Review of African Birds Feeding in Association With Mammals

Dean, W. R. J.; Macdonald, I. A. W.

doi:10.1080/00306525.1981.9633599

Cited by 78 publications

(92 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…For the Ethiopian region, cleaners represent 1.44% of the about 2500 recorded species (African Bird Club 2010). One plausible cause for the apparently smaller proportion of cleaner birds in the Neotropics is that this region lacks the huge biomass and great species richness of open areas-dwelling ungulates found in the Ethiopian region (Dean & MacDonald 1981). Another cause for the smaller number of cleaner birds in the Neotropics may be the lack of field studies focused on terrestrial cleaning associations in South America (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Cleaner birds: an overview for the Neotropics

Sazima

2010

Biota Neotrop.

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Several bird species feed on a variety of external parasites and epibionts, organic debris, dead and wounded tissue, clots and blood, and secretions from the body of other vertebrates (hosts or clients). We present an overview of so called cleaner birds from the Neotropics based on field records, literature, and photo survey. We found that 33 bird species in 16 families practice cleaning even if some of them do so very occasionally. The birds range from the Galápagos ground finch Geospiza fuliginosa to the widespread black vulture Coragyps atratus. Clients mostly are large herbivores such as capybaras, deer, and livestock, but also include medium-sized herbivores such as iguanas and tortoises, and carnivores such as boobies and seals - a few bird species associate with these latter marine mammals. No carnivorous terrestrial mammal client is recorded to date except for a domestic dog, from whose hair black vultures picked organic debris. Some clients adopt particular inviting postures while being cleaned, whereas others are indifferent or even disturbed by the activity of cleaner birds. Capybaras, giant tortoises, and iguanas are among the inviting clients, whereas boobies try to dislodge the 'vampire' finch Geospiza difficilis. Most of the Neotropical cleaner birds may be lumped in one broad category (omnivores that dwell in open areas and associate with large to medium-sized herbivores). A second, restricted category accommodates some species from Patagonia and the Galápagos Islands (omnivores that dwell in open areas and associate with carnivorous marine mammals, or seabirds and marine reptiles). Two still more restricted categories accommodate the following: 1) forest-dwelling cleaner birds; and 2) marine coastal cleaners. Additional records of Neotropical cleaner birds will mostly fall in the broad category.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Cleaner birds: an overview for the Neotropics

Sazima

2010

Biota Neotrop.

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“…Hoewel ander outeurs ook melding maak van die assosiasie tussen vee-reiers en witrenosters, 16,18 het die voëls in hierdie geval slegs met die helfte van die gasheergroepe geassosieer.…”

Section: Sleutelgashereunclassified

“…18 Verreweg die meeste verwysings na die voedingsinteraksie tussen vee-reiers en prooiversteurders behels hoefdiere as gashere. Voëlsoorte is egter nie heeltemal as kommensalistiese gashere vir vee-reiers onbekend nie.…”

Section: Ondergeskikte Gashereunclassified

“…Hierdie waarnemings ondersteun vroeëre veldwaarnemings in ander dele van die land, maar ook in die wêreld. 18,25,26 In 'n ander geval het goeie reëns gedurende Januarie 1996 daartoe gelei dat die watervlakke van damme oor 'n kort tydperk vinnig gestyg het. Grond-en graslewende prooisoorte is daardeur versteur en meer blootgestel aan die predasie van verskeie voëlsoorte, insluitende vee-reiers, 'n verskynsel wat ook al vroeër waargeneem is.…”

Section: Ondergeskikte Gashereunclassified

“…Dit verklaar waarskynlik die lae voorkomsfrekwensie (tabel 1) van vee-reiers wat in die teenwoordigheid van perde gevoed het. Alhoewel die naverwante donkie (Equus asinus) ook as gashere van vee-reiers geïdentifiseer is, 18 is hierdie potensiële gasheerspesie nie tydens die tydperk van studie in die sentrale Vrystaat teëgekom nie.…”

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Feeding association between cattle egrets (<i>Bubulcus ibis<i/>) and mammal hosts in the central Free State

Butler

Kok

2006

Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskr Natuurwetenskap Tegnol

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Field observations undertaken during October 1995 to April 2001 in agricultural areas and nature reserves of the central Free State, indicate that cattle egrets mainly feed in commensalistic association with ungulates or even farm implements. A higher percentage farm animals than game was involved herewith. Based on calculated preference indices only three species, namely cattle, buffalo and white rhino, qualified as key hosts. Eland, gemsbok, impala and horses were classified as major hosts, while the rest of the thirteen observed host species were identified as minor hosts. More than half of all feeding associations (58,4%) occurred during the early mornings followed by a decrease during the middle of the day with a slight increase again later in the afternoon. Depending on the host species involved, notable differences occurred in the time of association. Cattle were the only host species with which cattle egrets associated during any time of the day. Evidently, cattle egrets associated most often with larger host species which were actively grazing. In grassland habitats the birds mainly fed in front of grazing hosts, but behind those that moved too fast.

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Interactions Between Honey Badgers and Other Predators in the Southern Kalahari

Begg

San

et al. 2022

Small Carnivores

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A Review of African Birds Feeding in Association With Mammals

Cited by 78 publications

References 29 publications

Cleaner birds: an overview for the Neotropics

Cleaner birds: an overview for the Neotropics

Feeding association between cattle egrets (<i>Bubulcus ibis<i/>) and mammal hosts in the central Free State

Interactions Between Honey Badgers and Other Predators in the Southern Kalahari

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