Bug Buffet

I watched a flock of robins and other birds having a feast under some infested elm trees this week and was pleasantly surprised at how fast and efficient they were at picking up the bugs and how many they could stuff into their beaks. Some of them looked downright comical 😊. A few adult birds are still hunting to feed their young and there is certainly no shortage of bugs for good hunters. American robins seem to do well by picking up bugs and worms as they walk.

I have also seen birds like swallows, red-winged blackbirds and kingbirds hunting bugs near water. It always amazes me that they can catch dragonflies which are fast, agile, and strong fliers. The successful hunters often display their catch proudly before either eating it or taking off to their nests to feed their chicks.

Birds are also opportunistic and will flock to caterpillar-infested farms. Red-winged blackbirds, starlings, magpies, and others feed on armyworm caterpillars in infested alfalfa farms – which may help reduce the caterpillar numbers.

Bugs are an excellent source of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals for parent birds and growing chicks. The buffet menu is quite impressive and ranges from squishy caterpillars, plump grubs, colourful dragonflies and delicate lacewings, there is something for even the pickiest eater.

There are a lot of young robins, starlings, and other hatchlings around now and they are just adorable.

Below are some pictures of a few bounty hunters. Enjoy!