Eurasian blackbird predated by wild Rhinopithecus roxellana in the Qinling Mountains, China

Abstract

Although there are some reports that have described primates eating animals, it is unknown whether predation on vertebrates exists in herbivorous leaf‐eating primates. We have witnessed firsthand wild Sichuan snub‐nosed monkeys ( Rhinopithecus roxellana ) preying on and consuming Eurasian blackbirds ( Turdus meruld ) in the Qinling Mountains of China. This event suggests that R. roxellana , which has previously been described as a herbivorous leaf‐eating primate, may be partially carnivorous and the correct classification of this species would be omnivorous. Furthermore, food‐share behavior among higher‐ranked members occurs in a one‐male unit when vertebrate prey is hunted by this species.