What Eats Parrots? (27 Predators with Pictures)

Examples of animals that eat parrots include hawks, falcons, eagles, snakes, and monkeys.

Parrots are colorful, social creatures that many people enjoy keeping as pets. But like all birds, they can fall prey to predators in the wild. Their bright colors may even attract them to potential predators.

The best defense for a parrot is to fly away as they are not evolved to be fighters against mammals and reptiles who might want to eat them.

Examples of Animals that Eat Parrots

1. Accipiter Hawks

Accipiter hawks are predatory birds of the hawk family. They are known for their quick, agile flight and powerful talons. Accipiter hawks typically eat small prey such as rodents, reptiles, and birds. In fact, they are one of the few predators that regularly hunt and eat parrots.

2. Aplomado Falcons

Aplomado falcons are also predatory birds of the hawk family. They are native to North and South America and are opportunistic hunters that prey on a variety of small animals, including parrots.

3. Black Eagles

Black eagles are the largest raptor in Asia. They are opportunistic predators that eat a variety of animals, including small mammals, reptiles, and birds. Black eagles have been known to hunt and eat parrots on occasion.

Related Article: What Animal Eats Eagles?

4. Black-And White Hawk-Eagle

The black-and-white hawk-eagle is a large, powerful raptor found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. Like the accipiter hawks, they are known for their quick flight and sharp talons. The black-and-white hawk-eagle typically preys on small mammals and birds, but will also eat parrots on occasion.

5. Boa

The boa constrictor is a large snake that is found in tropical areas of South and Central America. These snakes are carnivores, which means that they eat other animals. Boas typically hunt at night, and their diet consists mostly of small mammals and birds. While parrots are not the mainstay of their diet, boas have been known to eat them on occasion.

6. Brown Capuchin Monkey

The Brown Capuchin Monkey is a medium-sized monkey that is found in the rainforests of South America. These monkeys are known to be very intelligent and have been known to use tools to help them with tasks. One of their favorite foods is the parrot. In fact, they will often work together in groups to catch parrots. They will then use their sharp teeth to rip the feathers off of their prey before eating them.

Related Article: What Eats Monkeys?

7. Brown Goshawk

The brown goshawk is a bird of prey that feeds primarily on parrots. They have been known to snatch parrots right out of the air, making them a formidable predator of these creatures.

8. Feral Cats

Feral cats are domestic cats that have been abandoned or have reverted to a wild state. These animals are typically proficient hunters and will eat just about anything they can catch. This includes parrots. While feral cats aren’t the biggest threat to parrots, they can still pose a danger, particularly to young or injured birds.

9. Forest Falcon

The forest falcon is a raptor that lives in the forests of North and South America. It preys mainly on small birds, including parrots. Forest falcons use their sharp talons to capture their prey, which they then tear apart with their beaks.

10. Harpy Eagles

Harpy eagles are one of the largest and most powerful birds of prey in the world. They live in tropical forests and hunt a variety of animals, including parrots. These eagles have sharp talons and beaks that they use to kill their prey. They typically eat whatever animal they can catch, but prefer to eat monkeys, sloths, and parrots.

Related Article: Do Eagles Symbolize Strength?

11. Humans

While it’s not common, there are some cultures that do eat parrots. In South America, for instance, the Guaraní people believe that parrot meat has medicinal properties. The Ka’apor people of Brazil also occasionally eat parrot meat as part of their traditional diet.

12. Indian Mongoose

The Indian Mongoose is a small, brown-colored creature that is found throughout much of Asia and parts of Africa. This opportunistic predator is known to eat a variety of prey, including snakes, lizards, rodents, and birds. Parrots are among the mongoose’s favored prey items, and they have been known to kill and eat parrots that are much larger than they are.

Read Also: Is Indian Mongoose Native to Hawaii?

13. Jaguars

Of all the animals that eat parrots, jaguars are perhaps the most well-known. These big cats are native to South and Central America, and their diet includes a variety of small to medium-sized mammals, reptiles, and birds. While not all jaguars will eat parrots, those that live in areas where parrots are common often prey on them. In fact, jaguars are known to kill and eat both green-winged and scarlet macaws, two of the most common parrot species in the Americas.

14. Northern Goshawk

The Northern Goshawk is a large, predatory bird of prey that feeds on a variety of animals, including small birds. They are known to take advantage of parrot nests, feeding on the eggs and chicks inside.

15. Ocelots

The ocelot is a spotted wild cat found in Central and South America. These cats are nocturnal hunters that stalk their prey through the trees. While they will eat small mammals and reptiles, ocelots also like to feast on birds – including parrots.

16. Orange-Breasted Falcon

The orange-breasted falcon is a large bird of prey that is found in Central and South America. These predators hunt a variety of prey, but parrots are one of their favorites. Orange-breasted falcons will typically go after smaller parrot species, such as conures and lories.

17. Ornate Hawk-Eagle

The Ornate Hawk-Eagle is a large bird of prey that is native to Central and South America. These eagles are known to prey on a variety of animals, including parrots. In fact, the Ornate Hawk-Eagle is one of the few animals that specialize in hunting parrots. These eagles use their sharp talons to snatch parrots out of the air or off of branches. Once they have their prey, they will take it back to their nest where they will eat it.

18. Peregrine Falcon

The peregrine falcon is the world’s fastest animal. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 240 mph, this raptor is a formidable predator. Peregrine falcons typically eat small mammals such as rabbits and rodents, but they have also been known to prey on parrots.

19. Puerto Rican Screech Owl

The Puerto Rican screech owl is a small owl that is found on the island of Puerto Rico. These owls primarily eat insects, but they will also eat small mammals, reptiles, and birds. This includes parrots! The owls hunt at night and use their sharp talons to catch their prey.

20. Pythons

Pythons are a type of constrictor snake that is found in Africa, Asia, and Australia. These snakes typically eat small mammals like rodents or birds. While they will eat just about any type of animal they can catch, pythons have been known to eat parrots. In fact, a dead python in Australia was found with a parrot in its stomach.

21. Rats

Rats are perhaps the most infamous animals that eat parrots. They are known to raid nests and consume eggs and chicks. In some cases, adult parrots may also be targeted by rats.

22. Red-Tailed Hawks

These Hawks are one of the most common predators of parrots. They typically prey on smaller parrot species, such as budgerigars and lovebirds. Red-tailed hawks have sharp talons and beaks that they use to capture and kill their prey.

23. Roadside Hawks

These large birds of prey are known to eat just about anything they can get their talons on-including parrots. If a roadside hawk spots a parrot, it will likely swoop down and snatch it up for a meal.

24. Sugar Gliders

Sugar gliders are small, marsupial creatures that are native to Australia and Indonesia. These nocturnal animals are closely related to kangaroos and koalas. Sugar gliders have long been a popular pet in Australia and are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. While sugar gliders typically eat insects, they will also consume fruits, vegetables, and even small parrots.

Read Also: Can Sugar Gliders Glide?

25. Toucans

Toucans are a family of large, brightly-colored birds found in Central and South America. They are known for their long, curved beaks, which they use to consume a variety of fruits. While toucans typically prey on smaller birds, they have also been known to eat parrots.

26. Vampire Bats

Vampire bats are found in Central and South America and although they mostly feed on the blood of mammals, they will also drink the blood of birds. In fact, vampire bats have been known to target parrots specifically.

One study found that out of all the bird species attacked by vampire bats, parrots were the most frequent victims.

Related Article: Do Bats Eat Scorpions?

27. White-tailed Eagles

These large eagles are found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. They are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of the food chain in their ecosystems. White-tailed eagles typically hunt medium to large sized prey such as rabbits, fish, and birds. Occasionally, they will prey on parrots as well.

Conclusion

There are a variety of animals that eat parrots, including snakes, hawks, and eagles. These predators typically prey on small mammals and birds, but will occasionally hunt and eat parrots. Parrots are especially vulnerable to predators when they are young and inexperienced, or when they are sick or injured.

Chris

I am the founder and owner of Fauna Facts. My mission is to write valuable and entertaining information about animals and pets for my audience. I hope you enjoy the site!