Birds adapt their diets to available resources, with many species being insectivores that consume various arthropods. This dietary flexibility raises questions about whether they eat insects with defensive mechanisms, like wasps. While stinging insects might seem like a deterrent, some birds have evolved specialized behaviors to overcome this challenge.
Birds That Prey on Wasps
Some bird species actively include wasps in their diet. European Bee-eaters, colorful birds named for their preference for stinging insects, skillfully capture wasps in flight across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Northern Flicker, a woodpecker, frequently forages on the ground, consuming wasps and even hunting hibernating ones in structures.
Summer Tanagers are another species known for their appetite for wasps, often catching them mid-air and even raiding their nests for larvae and pupae. These vibrant red birds make wasps a regular part of their diet. Orioles, such as the Baltimore Oriole, also consume wasps, particularly during summer months when these insects are abundant.
Shrikes, sometimes called “butcherbirds,” are predatory songbirds that incorporate wasps and other large insects into their diet. Species like the Loggerhead Shrike and Red-backed Shrike are known for their unique hunting and food-storage behaviors. Blue Jays, Magpies, House Wrens, and Chickadees have also been observed eating wasps.
Strategies for Consuming Wasps
Birds employ various strategies to safely consume wasps and avoid their stings. European Bee-eaters are adept at handling their prey; they catch wasps in flight and repeatedly strike them against a hard surface, like a branch, to remove the stinger before ingestion. This technique disables the wasp’s primary defense, making it safe to eat. Summer Tanagers use a similar approach, smacking wasps against branches to remove stingers.
Some birds, like chickadees, use their sharp beaks to precisely pluck off the wasp’s stinger before devouring the insect. The European Honey Buzzard, a specialist predator of social insects, raids wasp nests for larvae and pupae, using its thick, protective feathers as defense. House Wrens sneak up on wasp nests to grab individuals for a meal. Shrikes often impale wasps and other prey on thorns or barbed wire, creating a “larder” for later consumption.
Wasps as a Food Source
Wasps provide significant nutritional benefits for birds, making them a valuable food source. They are rich in protein and essential amino acids, important for avian growth, reproduction, and feather development. This protein is especially important during periods of high energy demand, such as breeding seasons or when feeding young.
Beyond protein, wasps contain lipids and micronutrients, providing energy and essential fatty acids. Their chitinous exoskeleton contributes fiber, aiding digestion. Wasps are often abundant, especially during warmer months, providing a readily accessible and concentrated source of these nutrients for insectivorous birds.