Opossums are common sights in many environments, from natural woodlands to suburban backyards. Their presence often raises questions about their impact on local wildlife, particularly birds. This article explores the foraging habits and diverse diet of opossums, offering practical advice on how to protect bird nests in your outdoor spaces.
Understanding Possum Foraging Habits
Opossums are opportunistic omnivores, consuming a wide variety of foods depending on what is readily available. While their diet can include animal matter, they are not typically active hunters of birds. Opossums may consume baby birds or eggs if they encounter an accessible nest, but these items do not constitute a primary food source. They are scavengers, often relying on their keen sense of smell to find meals rather than actively pursuing live prey.
Their climbing abilities, aided by a prehensile tail and opposable thumbs, allow them to access elevated areas like trees where nests might be located. However, opossums primarily forage on the ground, often searching through vegetation or scavenging carrion. The consumption of nestlings or eggs is usually a matter of convenience if a nest is vulnerable and offers an easy protein source.
A Possum’s Diverse Diet
The typical diet of an opossum is remarkably diverse, reflecting their generalist omnivore classification. Their natural diet largely consists of insects, such as beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, and cockroaches. They also consume various invertebrates like slugs, snails, and earthworms.
Beyond invertebrates, opossums eat a range of plant materials, including fruits, berries, nuts, and grains. They also consume small animals like rodents, frogs, lizards, and snakes. Opossums also play a role as natural clean-up crews by feeding on carrion (dead animals) and discarded human food, including pet food and garbage. This adaptable diet allows them to thrive in various habitats.
Protecting Backyard Bird Nests
Protecting bird nests from various predators, including opportunistic animals like opossums, involves several strategies. One effective method is to make nesting sites less accessible. For nest boxes, consider installing predator guards, such as metal baffles or extended roofs, which make it difficult for climbing animals to reach the entrance hole.
Maintaining your yard can also help deter predators. Trimming tree branches that hang close to birdhouses or nests can prevent easy access. Securing trash cans with tight-fitting lids and avoiding leaving pet food outdoors removes accessible food sources that might attract opossums and other wildlife to your property.