Birds that eat bees and other insects are called true insectivores. There are more than 6,000 species of these birds. If our bee populations are going down, does this matter? In general, no, birds don’t pose a major threat. But, some types of birds are specialists when it comes to insects hunting.
Most things in nature have a balance but that does not mean that changes are never made. There are many honey bee predators out there looking for a tasty bee snack. From a bee lover’s point of view – is it a big problem?.
Bees play a vital role in plant pollination and honey production across North America But these busy insects also make a tasty, protein-packed snack for many bird species While most birds don’t specifically target bees, some actively seek them out to supplement their diets.
In this article we’ll highlight the 10 birds that feast on bees the most across North America. Understanding these bee-loving birds can help you attract more of them to your backyard.
1. Scarlet Tanager
The scarlet tanager is often nicknamed the “bee-eater” bird. Bees and wasps make up a large portion of this bird’s diet.
Scarlet tanagers inhabit mature deciduous forests across Eastern North America. They blend in well with their red and black plumage. These colorful songbirds use their sharp vision to spot bees and wasps returning to hives or nests. Then they swoop in and snatch their prey mid-flight.
2. Summer Tanager
Closely related to the scarlet tanager, the summer tanager also loves feasting on bees. This bright red bird lives in open woods of the Southeastern and Southwestern United States.
Summer tanagers eat a wide range of insects, but bees and wasps are their favorites They often beat captured bees against branches to remove the stinger before swallowing them
3. Purple Martin
An aerial acrobat, the purple martin excels at catching insects like bees on the wing. Purple martins live throughout the Eastern and Midwestern states in the spring and summer. They nest in apartment-style bird houses.
Purple martins supplement their diet of flies, moths, and dragonflies with bees. Watch for these fast, purplish-black birds hunting in open fields near water.
4. Northern Cardinal
The bright red male northern cardinal is a backyard favorite across Eastern North America. Cardinals mostly eat seeds and fruit. But they regularly snack on insects like bees too.
Northern cardinals often visit flowers looking for nectar. If bees come into sight, cardinals swiftly catch and eat them. Attract these birds with sunflower seeds and berry bushes.
5. Red-Bellied Woodpecker
While most woodpeckers drill into trees for larvae and ants, the red-bellied woodpecker also eats bees. This black-and-white bird lives in Eastern U.S. forests and woodlands.
Red-bellied woodpeckers raid beehives located in tree trunks and branches. They use their sharp beaks to excavate the sweet, protein-rich honey.
6. Cassin’s Kingbird
This vocal gray bird with a black head and yellow belly resides in the arid Southwest. Cassin’s kingbirds sit on open perches scanning for insects to snatch from the air.
All types of flying insects are food for kingbirds, including bees, wasps, and even dangerous hornets. Watch for these kingbirds in desert scrublands.
7. Northern Mockingbird
Widespread across the U.S., mockingbirds favor insects like bees in spring and summer. These gray birds with white patches flash their white-banded wings to startle insects into flight.
Northern mockingbirds eat a wide variety of insects including bees, wasps, moths, ants, and beetles. Plant fruit trees and berry bushes to also attract these backyard birds.
8. Hermit Thrush
A small North American songbird, the hermit thrush consumes insects alongside berries. In warmer months, they feast on beetles, ants, bees, and caterpillars.
Look for the spotted brown plumage and white eye ring of the hermit thrush in woodlands across Canada and the U.S. They winter in the Southern states before migrating north.
9. Chimney Swift
Speedy, cigar-shaped chimney swifts nimbly catch insects like bees as they fly. These dark gray birds live in the Eastern U.S. in summer and migrate to South America for winter.
Chimney swifts hunt flying insects most actively near dawn and dusk. But they’ll feast on bees and other insects anytime they fly within reach.
10. Yellow-Billed Magpie
The long-tailed yellow-billed magpie uses its scavenger diet and intelligence to also catch bees. This bold black-and-white bird resides in California oak woodlands.
Opportunistic magpies eat anything from carrion to insects. Bees provide these flashy birds extra nourishment. Look for yellow-billed magpies on the ground flipping through leaves seeking insects.
Attract Bee Eating Birds to Your Yard
Want to get a closer look at these bee-loving birds? Try planting pollinator gardens, fruit trees, and berry bushes to naturally attract insects…and the birds that eat them.
Also provide bird feeders with suet, sunflower seeds, dried fruit, and mealworms. And include a fresh water source like a bird bath or fountain. Sit back and watch your yard come alive with both beautiful birds and beneficial bees.
Summer and Scarlet Tanagers
Summer Tanagers and Scarlet Tanagers are medium-sized songbirds native to the Americas. They are small bright colored birds that look similar to northern cardinals.
They eat a variety of bugs, ants, moths, flies, and grasshoppers, just like most other birds in this family. However, they especially target wasps and bees.
The members of the tanager family are known to consume many bees and wasps during the summer season.
This is actually a good thing as it removes some pests from the environment. Too many of any insect is not a good thing. In nature, you find predators and prey – both serve a role in ecosystem balance.
Predators: Birds that Target Bees
The most adapt bee-eaters belong to the bird family Meropidae. Within this family more than 22 species of birds are known to be consumers of bees. Thankfully, most of these birds live in Africa and not in high beekeeping areas.
But, there are other birds that also consume bees as a major part of their diet. They are known to actively pursue and eat bees throughout the season. For them, it is more than just an opportunity – it is a way of life.
When we talk about birds that eat bees, we can’t leave out one whose name includes the word “bee-eater.” These birds belong to the family Meropidae and there are over 27 different species.
Found mostly in Asia, Europe and Australia, they are beautiful birds with brightly colored feathers and hooked bills.
These specialized birds have carved beaks that makes capturing flying insects much easier. Of course, they don’t only eat honey bees. Flies and other insects also make good meals – an important ecological balance.
Bee-eater birds live in large groups that can number in the hundreds. Males and females mate for life and the whole community shares in raising young.
Bees and wasps make up 70% of the diet of the bee-eater. They capture the insect in flight using their impressive eyesight. Bee-eaters can spot a bee in flight over 300 ft away.
Honeyguides are birds in the family (Indicatoridae). A resident of sub-saharan Africa, this bird gets its name from the tendency to guide humans to honey bee nests. There are several different varieties.
The honeyguide exists primarily on the contents of a bee colony. They eat the brood (or bee larvae) and the beeswax.
In fact, they are one of the few birds that feeds on beeswax. These birds also feed on wax moths found in the hive.
A large bird that looks much like the native hawks in my region, the honey buzzard is fierce. It is also called a “pern”. Living in parts of the UK during Summer, they over-winter in Africa.
There are many kinds of bees, wasps, hornets, rodents, and other birds that the honey buzzard eats. But, adult bees are not the main target of this specialized bird.
Instead, it is the bee’s brood inside the nest that the honey buzzard desires. Some of their feathers help protect their faces from being eaten while they dig in the hive for food.
Known and appreciated for their insect catching abilities. Purple martins eat many types of insects. Bees, wasps, flies, dragonflies and even fire ants (if only we could train them to dig)!.
Purple martins are found in many regions of the US. A martin, swallow, or saw-winged bird; their name comes from the glossy black and blue feathers they have. Their plumage looks purple in some types of light.
They commonly nest in colonies with many nests close together. Seeing martin colonies with gourds as nesting units is common in my area.
They are known to be agile hunters that perform impressive acrobatics in air. They eat wasps, flies, and dragon flies, and if they get the chance, they will also eat a lot of bees.
Honey Buzzards Feast on Deadly Hornets
FAQ
What kind of birds like to eat bees?
Is there a bee-eater bird?
What North American birds eat wasps?
Do western tanagers eat bees?
What birds eat bees?
They migrate to lower North America and Central America during the winter. Several types of birds, such as the Northern cardinals, blue jays, wrens, tanagers, and purple martins prey directly on bees and their larvae. Other birds, such as catbirds, sparrows, and chickadees are opportunistic feeders on bees.
Why do birds eat bees?
Birds that eat bees have specially adapted beaks for catching and handling their prey. For example, bee-eaters have long, pointed bills that are effective in catching insects mid-air source. These specialized beaks also allow birds like orioles to grasp bees securely while they remove the stingers before consuming them.
Can a small bird eat a few bees?
However, a small bird eating a few dozen or even a few hundred bees won’t endanger the colony or honey production. We lose bees for many other reasons, from pesticide sprays to traffic, much more than small predatory birds. Thus, the most threatening “animal” for the bees seems to be the human one.
Do birds eat wasps and bees?
In the world of avian dining, some birds have developed a taste for wasps and bees. These agile creatures employ various hunting techniques, from snatching honeybees mid-air to ambushing them while they indulge in nectar. In this article, we’ll introduce you to 22 such birds that eat wasps and bees.
How do birds catch bees?
To catch bees, birds must be agile and quick in the air. Their flight capabilities are highly advanced, consisting of swift movements and impressive maneuverability. Birds such as bee-eaters and magpies have perfected aerial acrobatics, enabling them to pursue bees and other flying insects in mid-air source.