Examples of birds that eat other birds include the American robin, bald eagle, black-billed magpie, bluebirds, and brown-headed cowbird.
While cannibalism is not common among all bird species, there are a few that do occasionally prey on their own kind. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the birds that eat other birds and find out why they do it.
Examples of Birds that Eat Other Birds
1. American Robin
| Scientific Name | Turdus migratorius |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | almost anywhere south of Canada |
The American robin is a common sight in many backyards and gardens, but what some people may not know is that this friendly-looking bird is actually a cannibal. American robins have been known to kill and eat other robins, especially when the weather is cold and food is scarce.
It is thought that the reason they do this is that they are trying to get rid of competition for food, but it is also possible that they simply view other robins as a source of food.
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2. Bald Eagle
| Scientific Name | Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | most of Canada and Alaska, all of the contiguous United States, and northern Mexico |
The bald eagle is one of the most well-known bird species in North America. It is also one of the few birds of prey that will eat other birds. Bald eagles typically hunt fish, but they will also eat small mammals and birds. In some cases, they have been known to kill and eat larger birds, such as geese and ducks.
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3. Black-Billed Magpie
| Scientific Name | Pica hudsonia |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | among the meadows, grasslands, and sagebrush plains of the West |
The Black-billed Magpie is a scavenger and will often eat carrion, but they will also kill and eat small birds. It is thought that they do this to supplement their diet with protein and fat.
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4. Bluebirds
| Scientific Name | Sialia |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | west of the Rocky Mountains from Canada to Mexico |
Bluebirds are one of the few bird species that will eat other birds. While they typically eat insects, they have been known to kill and eat small birds. It is believed that they do this to get extra protein during nesting season.
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5. Brown-Headed Cowbird
| Scientific Name | Molothrus ater |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | fields, pastures, meadows, forest edges, and lawns |
The Brown-Headed Cowbird is a small black bird with a brown head. This bird is a native of North America and can be found in woodlands and prairies.
The Brown-Headed Cowbird is a parasitic bird, meaning that it does not build its own nest or care for its young. Instead, the female will lay her eggs in the nest of another bird species. The host bird will then raise the cowbird chicks as its own.
6. Canada Jay
| Scientific Name | Perisoreus canadensis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | evergreen (especially spruce) and mixed evergreen-deciduous forest across the boreal forest of the northern United States and Canada |
The Canada Jay is a member of the crow family and is one of the few birds that will eat other birds. They have been known to kill and eat other birds, such as ptarmigans, grouse, and even songbirds. The reason they do this is that they are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of any food source they can find.
7. Chicken
| Scientific Name | Gallus gallus domesticus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Worldwide |
Of all the bird species that engage in cannibalism, chickens are perhaps the most well-known. Chickens will sometimes peck other chickens to death, and they have also been known to eat newly hatched chicks. While it is not clear why chickens engage in cannibalism, it is thought that it may be due to a lack of food or water, or stress.
8. Common Raven
| Scientific Name | Corvus corax |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | across the Arctic regions and temperate regions of North America and Eurasia and far south to the mountains of South America and North Africa |
The Common Raven is one of the most well-known bird species that engage in cannibalism. Ravens are known to kill and eat other birds, including their own young.
One study found that Common Ravens will even eat eggs if they are available. It is thought that the reason Ravens engage in cannibalism is that they are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of whatever food is available to them.
9. Eastern Kingbird
| Scientific Name | Tyrannus tyrannus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | most of eastern North America, from the Gulf of Mexico north to central Canada, as far east as the Atlantic ocean |
This North American bird is known to eat other birds, including eastern bluebirds, northern flickers, and purple martins. The kingbird will sometimes even kill adult birds in order to feed their young.
10. Falcons
| Scientific Name | Falco |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | along mountain ranges, river valleys, and coastlines |
The falcon is a raptor or bird of prey, and as such, it is built for hunting. Falcons typically hunt small mammals like mice or rats, but they will also take other birds if the opportunity presents itself.
11. Finches
| Scientific Name | Fringillidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | throughout the temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere and South America and in parts of Africa |
Finches are a type of bird that is known to eat other birds on occasion. While the practice is not common among all species of finch, there are some that will engage in cannibalism if the opportunity presents itself. One reason why finches may eat other birds is that they are looking for an easy meal.
12. Fish Eagle
| Scientific Name | Haliaeetus vocifer |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | next to bodies of water of almost any type and size |
The fish eagle is a large bird of prey that can be found near bodies of water all over the world. These eagles typically eat fish, but they have been known to kill and eat other birds on occasion. Oftentimes, these other birds are young chicks or weak adults that would not be able to survive in the wild on their own.
Related Article: 15 Birds that Look Like Eagles
13. Grackles
| Scientific Name | Quiscalus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | wet, open woodland and marshes as well as in suburbs, parks, and agricultural fields |
The great-tailed grackle is a large, iridescent blackbird that is found in parts of North and South America. These birds are known to eat other birds, and their diet consists of mostly insects and small animals. However, they have been known to kill and eat other grackles.
14. Gray Catbird
| Scientific Name | Dumetella carolinensis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | most of temperate North America east of the Rocky Mountains |
The Gray Catbird is a North American songbird that is known to occasionally eat other birds. It has been observed eating both eggs and nestlings of other bird species, as well as adult birds
15. Great Horned Owl
| Scientific Name | Bubo virginianus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | practically all habitats in North America, from swamps to deserts to northern coniferous forests near treeline |
The great horned owl is a large owl that is found in North and South America. These owls are known to be one of the most aggressive bird predators, and they have been known to kill and eat other birds, including other owls.
16. Greater Roadrunner
| Scientific Name | Geococcyx californianus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Sonoran desert and other kinds of brushy country, including chaparral and Texas brushlands |
The Greater Roadrunner is a North American bird that can be found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. These birds are known to eat other birds, lizards, snakes, and rodents. On occasion, they eat other birds to get the nutrients that they need to survive.
17. Herons
| Scientific Name | Ardeidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | shallow marine waters along the coast of very southern Florida, the Yucatan Peninsula, and in the Caribbean |
Herons are a type of wading bird that can be found in many different parts of the world. These birds typically eat fish, but they have been known to kill and eat other birds on occasion.
18. Kingfishers
| Scientific Name | Alcedinidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Australia, Asia, and Africa in wooded tropical areas near water |
Kingfishers are a type of bird that is known to eat other birds. They typically eat small birds, such as sparrows and finches.
19. Northern Goshawk
| Scientific Name | Accipiter gentilis |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Canada, the northern United States (including much of Alaska) |
20. Northern Shrike
| Scientific Name | Lanius excubitor |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | open areas within the boreal forest (taiga) and especially at its northern edge |
The northern goshawk is a large bird of prey that can be found in wooded areas across North America, Europe, and Asia. These birds are known to sometimes kill and eat other birds, including other goshawks. It is thought that they do this when food is scarce or if they are trying to defend their territory.
21. Owls
| Scientific Name | Strigiformes |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | everywhere in the world except Antarctica |
One of the most well-known bird cannibals is the owl. Owls are nocturnal predators that hunt other animals for food, including birds. While most owls prefer to eat small mammals such as rodents or rabbits, some species will also eat birds.
22. Parrots
| Scientific Name | Psittaciformes |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | warm climates all over most of the world |
One of the most well-known bird species that engage in cannibalism are parrots. Parrots are social creatures and live in flocks. Occasionally, when food is scarce, they may resort to eating one of their own. This behavior is more common in captive parrots than in wild ones.
23. Pelicans
| Scientific Name | Pelecanus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | all continents except Antarctica |
These large water birds have been known to eat other pelicans, as well as seabirds, ducks, and even baby turtles. While it is not clear why they do this, it is thought that it could be due to a lack of food options, or because they are trying to assert dominance over their flock.
Related Article: 19 Birds that Look Like Pelicans
24. Red-Winged Blackbird
| Scientific Name | Agelaius phoeniceus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | from southern Alaska at its northernmost point to the Yucatan peninsula |
This bird is one of the most common cannibals in North America. They are known to eat other blackbirds, as well as finches, sparrows, and even their own young. It is believed that they do this in order to get extra protein and nutrients during the breeding season.
25. Skuas
| Scientific Name | Stercorariidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Antarctica |
Skuas are a type of seabird that is known to eat other birds. They will typically prey on smaller birds, such as penguins and albatrosses. Skuas will also eat eggs and chicks of other bird species.
The reason why skuas engage in cannibalism is likely due to the fact that their diet consists mostly of seafood. By eating other birds, skuas are able to get the nutrients and energy that they need to survive.
26. Steller’s Jay
| Scientific Name | Cyanocitta stelleri |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Pacific coast from southern California to Alaska |
The Steller’s Jay is a member of the crow family and is found in western North America. These birds are known to eat other birds, including chicks, eggs, and nestlings. It is thought that they do this to compete for food or to reduce the population of other birds in their territory.
27. Thrushes
| Scientific Name | Turdidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | deciduous and mixed forests |
The Old World thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur naturally in Europe, Asia, and, Africa. These birds are generally small to medium in size and have dark plumage. Some species of thrush will eat other birds, usually smaller ones.
28. Western Jackdaw
| Scientific Name | Corvus monedula |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | across Europe, western Asia, and North Africa |
The Western Jackdaw is a member of the crow family and can be found in Europe and parts of Asia. These birds are known to eat other birds, including their own young. It is thought that they do this to reduce competition for food or to get rid of sick or injured members of their flock.
29. Woodpeckers
| Scientific Name | Picidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | woodlands, savannahs, scrublands, and bamboo forests |
Woodpeckers are one of the most well-known bird cannibals. They have been known to peck other birds to death and then eat them. Woodpeckers typically eat insects, but they will also eat small mammals, reptiles, and even other birds
30. Wrens
| Scientific Name | Troglodytidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Canada through the West Indies and Central America, southward to the southernmost point of South America |
The wren is a small bird that is found in many parts of the world. They are known for their high energy levels and their loud singing. While they typically eat insects, there are some instances where wrens have been known to eat other birds.
One such instance was reported in 2012, when a group of wrens was observed preying on baby birds in a nest. The wrens would enter the nest and kill the chicks by biting their heads off. It is believed that the wrens did this in order to reduce competition for food.
Conclusion
Birds that eat other birds may seem barbaric to humans, but it is a normal occurrence in the animal kingdom. Some bird species even prey on their own kind as part of their diet.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.