What birds eat cicadas? As we all know, there are a lot of species that eat cicadas, but did you know that there are some very unique birds that also eat cicadas and grasshoppers?
Now, what you will get in this article:
Why are these birds so keen on consuming cicadas? What is the reason? Why do they love them so much?
We will also show you the top 11 stunning birds that eat cicadas and why these species love to eat cicadas.
Please take advantage of seeing these spectacular creatures in all their glory!
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WHAT BIRDS EAT CICADAS
Cicadas are mostly found in warm places when the temperate nearly hits 64 degrees.
They belong to a conspicuous group of insects. Approximately 70% of the meal intake of avian birds consists of these cicadas.
Cicadas just come out for the sake of birds as a dessert, haha, just for fun!
In Maryland, around 1.5 million cicadas show up per acre of land every 13 or 17 years – it’s like a mass exodus!
Did you know? Cicadas are these tiny creatures that only experience life for a few weeks. Despite this! Cicadas have almost 3000 species around the world.
Cicadas are a favorite meal for various species. Humans also love to eat cicadas. Cicadas are very beneficial; thus, they are rich in protein and other nutrients.
TOP 11 BIRDS THAT EAT CICADAS
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is also known as the “rain crow.” The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is famous because of its particular call.
They eat caterpillars and cicadas in the summer and most other birds just as a snack because these cicadas provide them with a great amount of protein and other nutrients. These are what birds eat cicadas
- FUN FACT
The Yellow-billed cuckoo has a different call that is quite distinguishing. This call is a more guttural sound, such as ka-ka-ka-kow-kow-kow-kow-kowp-kowp.
We can hear its sound mostly between May to October during the day and night, which is why the Yellow-billed cuckoo got its name, cuckoo.
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE
The eastern wood peewee is small in size. They are known as small olive-brown tyrant flycatchers.
Their main food is small insects, but they also eat cicadas because it is rich in protein.
They are quite similar to the eastern phoebe. They own long wings and tails which protect them from prey.
- FUN FACT
They live in trees approximately 20 to 60 feet above the ground. They seem very cute, and they sound like peewee.
ACADIAN FLYCATCHER
Acadian flycatchers are usually found in north-America. They are small in size.
They are carnivores (insectivores), so their main feed is insects like larvae, ants, spiders, and mosquitoes.
They also love to eat cicadas and berries to consume more protein and nutrition.
- FUN FACT
An interesting fact about the Acadian flycatcher is that it is very difficult to see this bird.
EASTERN KINGBIRD
Eastern kingbird is also mostly found in North America. They are medium in size.
They are omnivores, so their main feed is insects such as grasshoppers, caterpillars, flies, and mosquitoes.
- FUN FACT
An interesting fact about eastern kingbirds is that they don’t walk on the ground. They usually fly from one place to another.
CAROLINA WREN
As its name suggests, the Carolina wren is from wren (united states of America).
They are quite large. They have different types of subspecies. These are what birds eat cicadas
They are carnivores (insectivores). Their main meals are invertebrates such as grasshoppers, cicadas, spiders, and bees.
- FUN FACT
Male Carolina is larger than its mate, which seems interesting.
TUFTED TITMOUSE
The tufted titmouse is mostly present in North America.
They are omnivores, so they eat different fruits, nuts, and insects. They also eat cicadas and grasshoppers.
They usually live in a hole in a tree.
- FUN FACT
Tufted titmice are non-migratory birds, so they are easily found throughout the United States.
NORTHERN FLICKER
The northern flicker is found in North America and Central America. This bird is beautiful in color.
The northern flicker also eats cicadas as a snack.
They are omnivores, so their main feed is ants and flies, such as beetles, snails, and butterflies. They also eat berries, sumac, and also seeds or sunflowers.
- FUN FACT
You can’t believe that northern flicker birds have almost 100 common names, such as a wicket, wake-up, heigh-ho, gawker, and walk-up.
Northern flickers are the only bird in North America with the longest tongue. Seems interesting! Isn’t it?
RED-EYED VIREO
Red-eyed vireos are usually found in the north and south of America.
This bird is small in size. Red-eyed vireos are usually olive green in color. As its name suggests, this bird has red eyes, which seems fascinating!
These red eyes feathered friends are carnivores, so they eat caterpillars and insects, but grasshoppers and cicadas are also a part of their feed. These are what birds eat cicadas
BALTIMORE ORIOLE
The Baltimore oriole is a type of blackbird usually shows up in eastern North America during the breeding season. It’s a common sight.
These types of birds usually get their grub from trees in the daytime. Also, take quick hops to snag insects.
Baltimore orioles are insectivores and carnivores, so they particularly eat nectar, insects, and berries. They also love to eat grasshoppers and cicadas because it’s rich in proteins.
- FUN FACT
The Baltimore oriole is designated as the official bird of Maryland and has served as the mascot for the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH
The American Goldfinch is a pretty, cheerful bird easily recognizable by its bright yellow feathers.
It’s an adventurous eater; during the winter, it sticks to seeds, but during the summer, it’ll munch on insects like cicadas.
It’s cool because the color of its feathers changes with the seasons – males are bright yellow in spring and summer, and both sexes get a bit duller and browner in fall and winter.
- FUN FACT
Do you know when? American goldfinches are trying to avert confrontations. They’ll only present one side of their body to an aggressor, slightly leaning away, tensing up their legs, retracting their neck, and lowering their beak. Fascinating!
BLUE JAYS
The blue jay is the last bird on our list. Blue Jays are interesting birds known for their distinctive blue and white plumage color, which seems fascinating!
Blue Jays are often seen in flocks and are highly social birds. They use a variety of calls and body language to communicate with each other.
Blue Jays are omnivorous and feed on a wide range of foods, including seeds, nuts, fruits, insects, and small mammals. They also eat a grasshopper and cicadas as their meal.
- FUN FACT
Blue jays are very intelligent birds. They are usually known to use tools, like twigs, to extract insects from fissures in trees.
They are known for their extraordinary memory and can store and remember the locations of thousands of places and food items for later.
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FINAL WORDS
Now, the conclusion
There are a variety of bird species, but I show only 11 unique birds that love to eat cicadas, and a fun fact about these birds.
I hope you are well aware of all the things that what birds eat cicadas and you also enjoyed the fun fact about all those 11 birds I explained to you above.
I love to read your thoughts on cicadas; would you like to eat cicadas to gain extra protein? Haha.
Thank you!
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