Video shows bem-te-vi eating a whole gecko in Magé, RJ

Video shows bem-te-vi eating a whole gecko in Magé, RJ A bem-te-vi (Pitangus sulphuratus) was caught devouring an entire gecko in the backyard of a house in Santo Aleixo, district of Magé (RJ). The scene was recorded by birdwatcher Ana Cláudia Rangel, in an area of ??the Atlantic Forest. ? Also follow Terra da Gente on Instagram The incident took place in the morning, while Ana Cláudia was working from home. An unusual sound caught the resident's attention and, as usual, she went to check what was happening. "These sounds always catch my attention, because I've noticed that, often, when I hear something unusual and go look, there's a bird doing something. That day, when I looked, I saw the bird on a bamboo with its prey in its beak and I started recording the scene", he says. See more news from Terra da Gente, on g1: FILM: Documentary recorded on the coast of PR reveals 'silent invasion' and risks to biodiversity RARE: New ocean floor appears after earthquakes; researchers monitor in real time UNIQUE SONG: Bird exclusive to Serra de Baturité is recognized as a new Brazilian species An observation routine Paying attention to the sounds of nature is no coincidence. Living for almost nine years amidst the vegetation, Ana Cláudia gradually developed a closer look at the behavior of the region's birds. “Today I pay attention to sounds, times and behaviors and, often, I notice that something different is happening before I can even see the bird”, he explains. Video shows bem-te-vi eating a whole gecko in Magé, RJ Ana Cláudia Rangel Even with her observation routine already established, the scene was unprecedented for her. "It was the first time I witnessed and recorded a lizard preying on a lizard. I didn't imagine I could witness a scene like that up close", he says. The reaction to the incident was a mixture of feelings. "It was a very strong mix of surprise, fascination and also a certain ache in my heart for the gecko. At the same time, I knew that I was experiencing natural behavior. I was impressed by the strength, skill and determination of bem-te-vi and very grateful for being in exactly the right place, at the right time, to witness and record a scene that I may never see again", she says. A varied menu Despite being best known for hunting insects, the bem-te-vi has a very varied diet. The species also feeds on fruits, such as bananas, papayas, apples, oranges and pitangas, as well as eggs, garden flowers, worms, small snakes, lizards, crustaceans, fish, tadpoles and even small rodents. The bird can capture insects both sitting on branches and in flight. It has also been recorded attacking chicks of smaller species that fall from the nest before learning to fly. This generalist diet makes bem-te-vi an ally in controlling pests, including termites in urban areas. VIDEOS: Highlights Terra da Gente See more content about nature on Terra da Gente