I think this topic is most relevant to the forum. Cane toads are spreading fast and will soon infest the whole country. Birds (and animals) eat them and die. Yesterday I saw a beautiful banded rail outside my window pecking at a small cane toad and I thought if I don't do something quick I will find the bird dead in the morning. So I chucked a prawn at him in the hope of diverting his attention. This had the desired result but I still expected the bird to be a goner in the morning. It wasn't, so perhaps the bird had learned to turn the toad over on its back and attack it only from the front. I know some birds do this. Some won't even go near the toads, like magpies. I would be interested to hear of other members' experiences of seeing birds eating, or partially eating, cane toads. And surviving.
The losses will be great for the next few years,I expect. But most of the birds and animals we have here will adapt sooner or later,and learn to avoid them altogether,even though it may take many years.
Let's hope the birds closest to extinction will have sufficient numbers to survive this invasive, introduced pest. Surely cane toad eradication should be an extremely high priority for our great nation.
the list of introduced pest species is great
Peter
Cane toad have been here for almost 80 years and for the last 50 I have been hearing about differant groups working on eradication , Its not going to happen, there's nothing in it for the govenment to put money into it ,they talk about it but talk is cheep and so is the government, the CSIRO and others are working solutions but even if an affective method can be found it will still take a lot of money to implement it.
When you think about it they have been here 80 years the birds and other animals must be adapting or we would have lost a lot more of them.
But to answer your question although not a bird a friends cat eats them all the time and shows no ill afects it seems to know which bits not to eat ,I don't really like cats, but I think his is a champion.
Adaptations can occur quickly (e.g., the Galapagos Islands) but most take aeons. I'd prefer that we err on the side of caution & take up our garden forks forthwith if the government won't put resources into eradicating cane toads.