Even Sharks Are Waiting for Manna from the Heaven: Terrestrial Birds As Stomach Content Remains in Sharks from Central Mediterranean

Predation and/or scavenging on terrestrial birds by sharks is a poorly documented issue especially in the Mediterranean. The present study reports the first record of blackmouth catshark and blue shark predation/scavenging on terrestrial birds (common blackbird, typical warbler and European quail) in the Central Mediterranean. This case could imply the intentional and opportunistic predation, especially by blue sharks, on terrestrial birds flying on the surface of the water. On the other hand, exhausted migrating terrestrial birds could fall into the sea and thus become prey.