The Blue Alien: First Recorded Predation on Zosterops simplex by the Introduced Calotes mystaceus in Hong Kong

This study documents the first recorded predation on Swinhoe’s White-eye ( Zosterops simplex ) by the Blue-crested lizard ( Calotes mystaceus ) in Hong Kong, where it is an introduced species. An adult female lizard was observed ingesting a nestling of Zosterops simplex in a peri-urban parkland. This observation indicates that this medium to large-sized Calotes species exhibits opportunistic feeding behaviour, suggesting a broader diet compared to the only native, smaller agamid congener, the Changeable lizard C. wangi . The potential negative impacts of this alien species on native biota are also discussed.