Smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris preyed upon by European starling Sturnus vulgaris

<p dir="ltr">The smooth newt (<i>Lissotriton vulgaris</i>) is a widespread European amphibian that thrives in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, where it encounters various predators, including birds. European starlings (<i>Sturnus vulgaris</i>) 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 <i>S. vulgaris</i> preying on <i>L. vulgaris</i>. This observation adds to the growing understanding of starling diet flexibility and amphibian predation dynamics.</p>