What Do Birds Eat?

Current Category: Birds.

Birds can fall into two different categories – domesticated and wild. Both will be discussed as it is important to cover both categories. Different bird species will eat different things depending on the species. Wild birds will eat one thing while domestic birds may eat something else. No matter what type of bird it is, their diet can be varied and interesting to take a look at. For example some birds such as eagles will eat fish while others such as vultures will eat dead animals. Parakeets will eat seeds while hummingbirds will eat nectar.

James’s Flamingo, Phoenicoparrus jamesi. Photo by .

Birds of prey and their diet

Birds of prey, most of whom are avivores, such as snowy owls, falcons, eagles and hawks are predators. Hawks will eat birds, insects, lizards, snakes and small animals. Eagles eat fish, snowy owls and other owls hunt rodents, frogs, lizards, rabbits, crayfish and waterfowl. Falcons will eat other birds for their survival.

Seabirds and their diet

Birds that live close to the sea eat a variety of things. Gulls will eat young birds, eggs, fish, insects and garbage. Other water dwellers such as swans, geese and ducks will eat crustaceans, fish, insects and vegetation. Some water dwellers will also eat seeds as part of their diet.

Domesticated birds and diet

Peregrine falcon. © Dennis Jarvis.

Domesticated birds will eat what they eat in a natural habitat. Some of the food that pet birds will eat would be dried fruits, sunflower seeds, eggs, nuts, seeds, worms, vegetables and meat. It will vary as to the species what they will eat. For example, a parakeet will eat seeds while a parrot may eat seeds and fruits.

Tree clingers and perching wild birds

Woodpeckers are an example of tree clinging birds that will eat grubs and bugs. Nuthatches eat insects and seeds while Creepers eat soft insects and spiders. Hummingbirds are part of the perching birds and they eat nectar as well as small bugs. American Goldfinch eats seeds from Echinacea and sunflower. Crows eat seeds, vegetables, insects, meat and fruits. This is just a small example of birds and their diets.

Other species of birds