Bird Diet: What Do Birds Eat?

  • What Do Mourning Doves Eat?

    what do mourning doves eat

    Mourning doves are small, plump, grayish-brown birds with long, pointed tails in the Columbidae family. They are closely related to pigeons and are the most common dove in North America, where they are a popular game bird throughout their range.  These birds live in open woodlands but feed in grasslands, agricultural fields, backyards, and on…


  • What Do Peacocks Eat?

    what do peacocks eat

    Peacocks are large, colorful, tropical birds native to Southeast Asia and Africa. They are members of the Phasianidae family and are closely related to pheasants, turkeys, and chickens. The female peafowl is a peahen, while the male is called a peacock.  The male peacocks have a colorful train of feathers they fan out to attract…


  • What Do Turkeys Eat?

    what do turkeys eat

    Turkeys are large, ground-dwelling birds native to North America, living in forests and open grasslands. They are members of the Phasianidae family, which includes chickens, pheasants, and quail.  These birds have a distinctive appearance with a short tail and broad wings. They have a long, fleshy neck, a red wattle, and a fleshy protrusion called…


  • What Do Geese Eat?

    what do geese eat

    Geese are large waterfowl in the Anatidae family with long, curving necks, short legs, and webbed feet. These large birds are closely related to ducks and swans, often living with them around wetlands, lakes, ponds, and rivers.  Like ducks and swans, geese are grazing herbivores. Their diet primarily consists of grasses, seeds, and aquatic plants.…


  • What Do Eagles Eat?

    Eagles are large, powerful birds of prey with hooked beaks and sharp talons. They are found worldwide, on every continent except Antarctica, and in many habitats, including mountains, forests, deserts, grasslands, and coastal areas.  In North America, eagles occupy many habitats between Canada and Mexico. Golden Eagles primarily live in the western half of the…


  • What Do Penguins Eat?

    what do penguins eat

    Penguins are flightless birds that live throughout the Southern Hemisphere. They live in various habitats and climates that extend from Antarctica to the Equator. Penguins have densely packed feathers that help to protect their bodies from the dangerously cold parts of their range.  All penguins have fusiform bodies, which makes them excellent swimmers, and counter-shading,…


  • What Do Hummingbirds Eat?

    what do hummingbirds eat

    Hummingbirds primarily eat nectar. In addition, hummingbirds also eat small insects that they find sitting on the flowers.


  • What Do Hawks Eat?

    what do hawks eat

    All hawks, including Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, and Sharp-shinned Hawks, are carnivorous and eat small mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.


  • What Do Crows Eat?

    Wild, black crows are omnivorous and will eat anything, including dead animals, garbage, birdseed, snails, insects, spiders, eggs, baby birds, and small animals.


  • What Do Ducks Eat?

    what do ducks eat

    Ducks are waterfowl closely related to geese and swans. Like all waterfowl, they have webbed feet, broad bills, and striking plumage in various colors. Ducks are always found in aquatic habitats, including wetlands, ponds, lakes, and rivers.  All ducks are omnivores and eat many foods, including aquatic plants, insects, worms, seeds, vegetables, small fish, mollusks,…


  • What Do Owls Eat?

    what do owls eat

    Owls are large birds of prey with big eyes, hooked beaks, and strong talons. They live in many habitats worldwide, including forests, grasslands, and deserts. Owls are nocturnal animals with feathers adapted to silent flight.  They use their keen eyesight and hearing to hunt for prey, which includes small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Owls are…


  • What Do Pigeons Eat?

    what do pigeons eat

    Pigeons are small birds often found in urban areas. They make a distinctive cooing sound while roosting and are well-adapted to human environments. Pigeons can also be pests because they flock together in large groups, which can cause damage to buildings and crops.  The common name of pigeon typically refers to the feral rock pigeon…


  • What Do Bluejays Eat? (In the Winter and Spring)

    what do bluejays eat

    Attracting bluejays to your yard is easy when you put out the right food sources. Since bluejays are adaptable birds, they can eat a varied diet. So, what foods do they eat? Bluejays are omnivores, which means they can eat a variety of foods. They prefer to eat nuts and seeds. Peanuts and sunflower seeds…


  • What Do Sparrows Eat? (The Best Foods for Sparrows)

    what do sparrows eat

    Sparrows are small songbirds found worldwide, except in Antarctica. Two types of sparrows exist. Old World Sparrows are in the family Passeridae and are often referred to as True Sparrows. New World Sparrows are in the family of Passerellidae and look like finches. This family is most closely related to the Buntings and not closely…