Unique termite gleaning behaviour of the Tacazze Sunbird <i>Nectarinia tacazze</i>

Abstract

... Tacazze Sunbirds were observed foraging on termites. They were seen gleaning the termites off the trunks of trees. The sunbirds were predating on non-alate (non-winged) worker and soldier termites. Gripping the bark with their feet like a wood-hoopoe, the sunbirds followed, from the ground up, the shelter tubes built by the termites, scraping the soil covering away with their bill and eating the termites as they went ...