Smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris preyed upon by European starling Sturnus vulgaris

The smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) is a widespread European amphibian that thrives in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, where it encounters various predators, including birds. European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are known for their diverse foraging techniques and opportunistic diet, which includes invertebrates and occasionally vertebrates. On May 7, 2021, in Cambridge, a female starling was observed capturing, subduing, and ingesting a female smooth newt. While starlings have previously been reported to prey on amphibians, this is the first confirmed record of S. vulgaris preying on L. vulgaris. This observation adds to the growing understanding of starling diet flexibility and amphibian predation dynamics.