Birds consume bees and wasps, obtaining a highly nutritious food source despite the insects’ defensive capabilities. The Hymenoptera order provides a protein-rich meal sought after by many avian species. However, the presence of a venomous stinger means that only certain birds or those employing specific behaviors can safely incorporate these insects into their diet.
Generalist Versus Specialist Predators
The consumption of bees and wasps by birds falls along a spectrum of dietary behavior, typically classified as either generalist or specialist predation. Generalist predators have a broad diet and consume bees or wasps only when the opportunity arises, often as an incidental catch. These species, which can include various flycatchers or mockingbirds, do not actively seek out Hymenoptera but take them as part of a varied insect diet.
In contrast, specialist predators possess distinct adaptations in their anatomy or behavior that allow them to target bees and wasps consistently. For these birds, Hymenoptera form a significant, often seasonal, portion of their total food intake. This specialization means they have evolved efficient methods to overcome the insects’ defenses, making the high-protein reward a reliable source of energy.
Birds That Rely on Bees and Wasps
Several avian species exhibit a profound reliance on bees and wasps, possessing specialized traits to secure this demanding prey. The Bee-eaters (genus Merops) are perhaps the most recognized specialists, with over 30 species found across Africa, Asia, and Europe. They are aerial hunters, catching prey on the wing with their long, slender, and slightly down-curved bills. These birds may spot a bee from as far as 200 feet away.
In North America, the Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) is known for its strong preference for wasps and bees, which can constitute a large portion of its summer diet. The tanager snatches the stinging insects in mid-air and returns to a perch for processing. Another group, the Honey Buzzards (genus Pernis), specializes in raiding nests rather than hunting adult insects. They locate the underground or arboreal hives of bees and wasps to feed on the nutrient-dense larvae and pupae within.
Honey Buzzards possess unique physical defenses, including dense, scale-like feathers around their eyes and face, which act as armor against stings during a hive raid. The Red-throated Caracara (Ibycter americanus) is another specialist, primarily known for preying on the paper nests of social wasps in the Neotropics.
Handling Stings and Venom
Specialist birds have developed precise behavioral techniques to neutralize the threat of the stinger and venom before consumption. Bee-eaters, for example, repeatedly strike a captured bee or wasp against a hard surface, such as a branch or a wire. This action, often done with the bird’s eyes closed, is used to kill the insect and press on its abdomen. The manipulation serves to discharge the venom sac and remove the stinger, effectively “de-stinging” the prey.
The Summer Tanager employs a similar method, killing the insect by beating it against a branch before wiping it to scrape off the stinger. This careful preparation is necessary because a sting to the sensitive mouth or throat area can still be painful or harmful. Honey Buzzards, which attack the nest itself, rely on their thick facial armor to withstand the defensive swarms.