Did you know Robins like Frogs

[greyanne]

I was amazed to see a robin taking a special interest in my mothers garden pond. When I watched further I relised it was catching baby frogs and flying off with them, presumably to feed young. During the course of the day it returned frequently expertly catching the unfortunate frogs. I have since started feeding live mealworms nearby which seems to have distracted the robin from the frogs. I have never seen or heard of robins taking young frogs and would be interested to hear if anybody else has witnessed this.

[Chris]

Strangely enough I was talking to my dad on the phone on Sunday (Father's day) and during the process of one of our long rambling discourses about nothing in particular, he mentioned blackbirds in his garden doing exactly the same thing.

[RMJ]

Seeing rather a commotion near our little pond, I was greatly surprised to watch a cock Blackbird attack and dismember a common frog; not a tadpole but a fully grown frog. The concerted attack took several minutes to complete and each morsel was carefully and repeatedly wiped on the lawn before being taken away, I assume, to feed young. The hen bird did not seem interested but several Starlings removed what was left. The whole episode took place over 20 minutes.

[70007]

No, I didn't realise robins would take frogs, but on many occasions I have seen their remarkable ability to anticipate the movement of butterflies and catch those in mid-air.