Conservation of tidal flats and wetlands on the basis of biofilm as a novel diet for birds

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Here, we conducted field observations on shorebird foraging behavior on Japanese and Canadian tidal flats, analyzed chemical components of the bird droppings and prey items. One of the surprising discoveries is that many shorebird species, such as Dunlin (a very common species worldwide) and Red-necked Stint (very common in East Asia and Oceania), consume surficial intertidal biofilm, a hitherto unsuspected food comprised of microbes, their extracellular mucus substances, and detritus. This finding is the first in the world to demonstrate that biofilm feeding is indeed widespread.