Consumption of the Toxic Tadpoles of the Cane Toad by the White Ibis Eudocimus albus

The White Ibis, Eudocimus albus, primarily consumes aquatic crustaceans and insects but exhibits an opportunistic diet that includes a diverse array of prey. During a water quality survey in Costa Rica, a small flock of White Ibis was observed foraging along a river, where they were notably seen consuming tadpoles of the Cane Toad, Rhinella horribilis. These small black tadpoles exhibit highly social behavior, often forming large schools in breeding site shallows. This observation marks the first documented instance of White Ibis consuming tadpoles of a toxic species, with no adverse reactions noted during several minutes of feeding in areas abundant with tadpoles. The absence of tadpoles from White Ibis diets suggests potential factors such as the availability of more attractive food sources or biases in collection methods, including the rapid digestion of soft-bodied animals like tadpoles. Additionally, White Ibis tend to consume free-swimming organisms where they occur in high densities, contributing significantly to their diet in such areas. Further investigation into the importance of tadpoles in the White Ibis diet at our study site could provide valuable insights into their foraging behavior and dietary preferences.