Birds may be herbivorous or carnivorous, just like any other species. Lizards, tiny creatures, and even smaller birds are eaten by many meat-eating birds. As part of their diets, these birds consume 15 species of other birds.
It’ll come as a surprise that not all of the birds on this list are bird-of-prey. Many sorts of birds, including those that eat their own kind, are available. Continue reading to learn about the 15 bird species that have been known to consume other birds.
15 BIRDS THAT EAT OTHER BIRDS
1. RED-TAILED HAWK
Scientific name: Buteo jamaicensis
The Red-tailed Hawk is a fairly frequent raptor in the lower 48 states. Small mammals, such as rabbits, squirrels, rats, and even snakes make up the majority of their diet. They do, however, consume birds. Medium to large sized birds, such as bobwhites, pheasants, blackbirds, and starlings aren’t worth chasing because they’re too small.
The call of a red-tailed hawk, which sounds like “keeeyaaa,” is easy to hear.
2. COOPER’S HAWK
Scientific name: Accipiter cooperii
In the lower 48 states, Cooper’s Hawks are a little-known species of raptor. Except in the northern states, they are year-round residents and the country’s tiniest hawk.
Lizards, tiny animals, and the nestlings of other birds are among the species they hunt. They’ll swoop down and steal a chick from an unattended nest if they see one. Backyard bird feeders are also a favorite snack for Cooper’s Hawks. They prefer Mourning Doves.
3. BARRED OWL
Scientific name: Strix varia
The unmistakable cry of a Barred Owl is “who-cooks-for-you?” From afar, a forest and a garden may be heard, “who cooks for you all?” They eat mice, rats, and birds in the dark of night.
Up until about the size of a grouse or chicken, all birds are fair game. With their keen vision and hearing, these owls perched quietly on a perch and inspected the ground below for prey. In the forests near streams and lakes, they enjoy spending time.
Up until about the size of a grouse or chicken, most birds are fair game. With their keen vision and hearing, these owls sit quietly on a perch and search the ground below for prey. In the forests near streams and lakes, they enjoy spending time.
4. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER
Scientific name: Melanerpes carolinus
Bird-eating is rare among red-bellied Woodpeckers. Insects and nuts make up the majority of their diet. They peck for insects in the bark of trees throughout the day, as do most woodpeckers.
They will, though, happily eat unhatched eggs from nearby unattended nests.
5. BALD EAGLE
Scientific name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
The United States’ national bird is the Bald Eagle. Their numbers have decreased due to development and DDT poisoning, and they were formerly seen throughout most of the United States. Their numbers have rebounded significantly since the implementation of recent conservation efforts.
A Bald Eagles’ diet is primarily composed of fish, however it includes a variety of other foods. Amphibians, reptiles, crabs, tiny mammals and birds are examples of animals affected. Shorebirds and waterfowl, such as gulls, geese, loons, and ducks, are commonly targeted birds.
6. BLUE JAY
Scientific name: Cyanocitta cristata
With their vivid blue feathers, Blue Jays are virtually impossible to miss. Year-round, this species may be found east of the Rocky Mountains. They like to forage on the ground for acorns and invertebrates in open woodlands and forests.
These noisemakers are also known to raid smaller bird nests and take eggs. Nestlings are sometimes killed as a result of this.
7. GRAY CATBIRD
Scientific name: Dumetella carolinensis
It might not be a cat if you live in the eastern United States and hear a meow coming from inside a lush leafy tree. The call of the Gray Catbird, which resembles a meow, is well-known. They’re boisterous and aggressive in equal measure.
Gray Catbirds have been seen murdering and destroying the eggs in rival bird species’ nests, according to scientists. They target Chipping Sparrow and Eastern Wood-Pewee species, for example.
8. COMMON GRACKLE
Scientific name: Quiscalus quiscula
Throughout most of the eastern and midwestern United States, the Common Grackle is a well-known bird. These birds gather in big flocks and search for insects, invertebrates, and tiny frogs and lizards. They are gregarious and noisy. Chicks from other birds’ nests are also consumed, and they can peck their way through eggs.
For their capacity to appear at bird feeders in large crowds, hog all the food and scare away smaller birds, they’re often called “bully-birds.”
9. GREAT HORNED OWL
Scientific name: Bubo virginianus
One of the easiest owls to identify is the Great Horned Owl. It is one of the most common species found in the United States and is frequently used to represent owls in media. With its tall ear tufts and piercing yellow eyes, it is a popular owl species.
Nearly any kind of prey, but mostly tiny to medium-sized animals and birds, are caught and killed by Great Horned Owls, which are fearsome predators. Ducks, starlings, doves, crows, waterfowl, hawks, and even other owls have been known to be eaten by them.
10. AMERICAN KESTREL
Scientific name: Falco sparverius
In the United States, this little raptor takes the prize. It’s a vicious eater that preys on sparrows despite its delicate size. Sparrow Hawk is another name for it.
Most of the United States is home to American Kestrels, who prefer to hunt for prey in open grasslands and fields.
11. TURKEY VULTURE
Scientific name: Cathartes aura
The trash collector of the sky is the Turkey Vulture. Carrion, such as roadkill or abandoned carcasses killed by terrestrial predators, is the food of this bird. They have a stronger sense of smell than most birds and even other creatures, able to detect a dead body up to 5 kilometers away.
Any animal, mammal, reptile, or bird may be Carrion. Other species of birds are fair game for Turkish Vultures.
12. GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL
Scientific name: Larus marinus
With a wingspan of over five feet, this seagull is the biggest of its kind on Earth. They’re also full of attitude. These birds will eat just about anything, including other birds. They raid the nests of other birds, steal food from them, and devour mature birds. Puffins and grebes are two of their favorite prey species.
In Newfoundland, black-backed Gulls reproduce, but Nova Scotia and the coast of New England are also home to these birds throughout the year. During the winter, they may go farther down the east coast.
13. AMERICAN CROW
Scientific name: Corvus brachyrhynchos
The American Crow, which is intelligent and well-traveled, resides across the country for most of the year. In addition to Alaska and Canada, there are populations in the United States. One of the few bird species that utilize tools to hunt for food and entertain themselves is crows.
They’re well-known for stealing eggs from other birds’ nests. It’s difficult to miss their caw.
14. NORTHERN SHRIKE
Scientific name: Lanius borealis
During the winter months, when it migrates from Canada’s far Arctic areas to the northern half of the United States, American birders may observe the Northern Shrike. They’ll eat other birds in addition to small mammals, reptiles, insects, and amphibians.
They stalked other birds in the bushes as their preferred hunting method. Sparrows and finches, for example, are small birds. Like other shrikes, it impales its victim on barbed wire or sharp twigs, saving them for future consumption.
15. COMMON RAVEN
Scientific name: Corvus corax
The Common Raven, which lives throughout the year in the American west and Appalachian mountains, is one of the most brilliant birds in the animal kingdom. This bird is clever and adaptable, harassing other birds and preying on tiny birds. It’s a talented flier that can eat just about anything.