Butterfly Predators in the Neotropics: Which Birds are Involved?

Abstract

Butterflies have evolved a variety of defensive traits against visually hunting predators, especially insectivorous and omnivorous birds. However, few bird species that attack and feed on butterflies in the Neotropical region are known. Here we present a list of 36 species belonging to 15 bird families observed to attack butterflies in different sites of Central and South America. In addition to comments on the birds involved, we also indicate which bird families are expected to reveal new butterfly predators.