Many bird species consume wasps and hornets, turning these stinging insects into a meal. Certain birds have evolved to exploit them as a rich food source. Insects provide a concentrated source of protein, and this dietary choice is driven by the nutritional benefit that outweighs the risk of a sting, especially when the predator has developed specific hunting and preparation techniques.
Avian Specialists: Birds That Target Wasps and Hornets
Certain bird species are so adept at preying on wasps that they are considered specialists. The European Honey Buzzard, a raptor found across Europe and Asia, focuses its diet almost entirely on the brood of social wasps and bees. This bird actively seeks out underground or tree-based nests, using its talons and beak to excavate the comb and reach the larvae and pupae inside. To protect itself during foraging, the Honey Buzzard has dense, scale-like feathers around its face and eyes, which act as a physical barrier against the stings of adult wasps.
Another prominent specialist is the Summer Tanager, a bright red songbird native to North America. The tanager regularly includes bees and wasps in its diet, often catching them directly in flight. This species is known for its fearlessness in approaching wasp nests, which it will tear open to access the soft, nutrient-rich larvae within. Other birds like woodpeckers and blue jays also opportunistically target wasp nests, particularly in the late fall when adult activity decreases, to feed on the exposed, defenseless larvae.
Behavioral Adaptations for Disarming Prey
The ability to consume stinging insects relies heavily on learned and instinctive behaviors that neutralize the threat of the venomous stinger. The Summer Tanager employs a distinct, multi-step process when capturing an adult wasp or bee. After snatching the insect mid-air, the bird flies to a perch and repeatedly slams the prey against a hard surface, such as a branch, until it is immobilized.
Following this initial stunning, the tanager performs a “rubbing” technique, wiping the insect back and forth against the branch. This action detaches the stinger apparatus and the venom sac, effectively disarming the prey before consumption. The European Honey Buzzard, on the other hand, utilizes its powerful beak to snip off the heads or abdomens of the adult wasps it encounters while digging into a nest, removing the stinger before swallowing the body. These precise, targeted actions demonstrate a sophisticated evolutionary response to a potentially dangerous food source.
The Nutritional Importance of Wasps in Bird Diets
The consistent effort birds expend to acquire wasps is motivated by the high nutritional return this prey offers, particularly during the breeding season. Wasps, like most insects, are a rich source of protein necessary for avian growth and development. The larvae and pupae found inside the nest are especially high in both protein and fat, making them a dense, easily digestible food source.
This high-caloric food is important for nestlings, who require a diet concentrated in protein to support their rapid growth rate. The European Honey Buzzard, for instance, feeds its young almost exclusively on wasp brood until they fledge. Wasps and their nests represent a seasonally abundant and reliable food source when other insects may be less plentiful, providing consistent nourishment when the energy demands of raising a clutch are at their peak.