The sudden appearance of large, noisy cicadas transforms the landscape into a temporary, high-volume soundscape. These insects spend the majority of their lives underground as nymphs, feeding on tree roots before they emerge. Their synchronized arrival, often involving millions of individuals, creates a massive, short-lived bounty of easily accessible food for local wildlife.
Primary Avian Predators of Cicadas
A diverse array of bird species quickly capitalizes on the emergence of cicadas, ranging from common backyard birds to specialized raptors. American Robins and European Starlings are highly efficient ground foragers, capturing newly molted insects before they climb into trees. These generalist feeders shift their diet almost entirely to cicadas during the peak of the emergence due to the insects’ overwhelming numbers.
Other opportunistic birds, such as American Crows and Blue Jays, actively hunt cicadas in the trees and on the wing. Crows, being highly adaptable, will cache cicadas for later consumption, demonstrating a behavioral response to the temporary surplus of food. Even some raptors, like the Broad-winged Hawk, take advantage of the slower-moving, abundant cicadas, adding a significant protein source to their diet during the breeding season.
The strategy employed by birds varies depending on their foraging style, but all must handle a prey item larger than their typical insect fare. Woodpeckers utilize their strong beaks to access cicada nymphs hiding beneath tree bark before they emerge. Species like Purple Martins have been observed simply devouring them whole, showcasing the adaptability of avian predators to this unique food pulse.
Nutritional Value and Consumption Methods
Cicadas represent a highly concentrated source of nutrition, primarily consisting of protein and fat. Analyses show they are exceptionally protein-rich, containing a higher percentage of crude protein per gram than many common meat sources. This dense nutritional package provides the sustained energy needed for adult birds and their demanding nestlings during the spring and early summer breeding period.
The physical act of eating a cicada involves specific handling techniques due to the insect’s large size and hard, chitinous exoskeleton. Many birds first remove the large wings before attempting to swallow the body. This de-winging process makes the prey more manageable and easier to digest, particularly for smaller birds.
Some birds use water to process their catch, such as Spotted Sandpipers repeatedly dunking cicadas until they stop struggling. Other species, like Chipping Sparrows and Carolina Chickadees, drag the insects to the ground and pick off the legs before consuming the body. These diverse methods reflect the importance of cicadas as a food source, prompting species to develop effective consumption strategies.
The Ecological Significance of Cicada Feasts
The mass emergence of periodical cicadas, occurring on long 13- or 17-year cycles, creates a “pulse resource” in the ecosystem. This sudden, short-term flood of food profoundly affects local bird populations and the wider food web. For insectivorous birds, this reliable, concentrated source of protein and fat directly influences reproductive success.
Studies suggest that in years with a cicada emergence, birds may lay larger clutches of eggs or successfully raise more fledglings. This increased nutritional intake ensures young birds receive enough energy to grow quickly, improving their survival rates. The temporary shift in avian diet toward cicadas also provides a temporary reprieve for other insect prey populations, such as caterpillars, reducing predation pressure.
The population-level effects are temporary; once the brief adult cicada lifespan ends, the food source crashes, and bird diets revert to other prey. The ecological impact is often followed by a temporary spike in local bird populations, which then stabilize once the exceptional food source is gone. Dead cicada bodies also return nutrients to the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer that supports plant and tree growth.