How to Attract Birds That Eat Wasps

Attracting birds is a great way to naturally get rid of pesky wasps that can make your outdoor living spaces less enjoyable. In this blog post, we will explore How to Attract Birds that Eat Wasps and Yellow jackets so you can get back to enjoying your yard without worrying about these stinging insects.

We’ll discuss the types of birds that can help you out and what food, water, and shelter they need to keep them around. With these tips, you’ll be able to attract insect-eating birds that will make a big difference in keeping the wasps away from your home and controlling the wasp population in your yard.

If you have a wasp problem, you might want to concentrate on attracting backyard birds that enjoy eating small insects. There is no better Natural Pest Control than your beautiful birds taking care of your garden pests.

Want to know how to attract birds that eat wasps? Or more importantly, which birds are good at this? I’ll give you the rundown on what you can do to attract these helpful little feathered friends.

What Birds Eat Wasps? 

Some birds will eat wasps, but the idea that they eat wasps to get drunk is a myth. There are two main reasons why birds eat wasps. In both cases, the bird needs to feed its young on high protein food.

Adult wasps feed their young grubs on insects and spiders, which are very high in protein. So the wasp’s larvae, which is one of birds food sources are full of protein.

Eurasian Hobby

The Eurasian Hobby is a small migratory bird of prey that inhabits a wide range of habitats, including forests, wetlands and grasslands, and is characterized by its sleek and aerodynamic body, sharp talons, and impressive hunting skills.

Oh, the Eurasian Hobby is such a fascinating bird of prey! It’s not very big, only about 30-40 cm long, but with a wingspan of up to 80 cm. What’s really cool about it is its sleek and slender body and some sharp talons that make it an excellent hunter. You can spot this amazing bird by its dark brown or grayish-blue upperparts and lighter underparts with fine black stripes. 

And the best part? It has this unique mustache-like marking on its face and a yellow cere around its beak that makes it look charming. Whether it’s a male or female Eurasian Hobby, they all have the same striking features, but males are just a tad bit smaller.

Mute Swans

Can you believe that Mute Swans actually eat wasps? I was shocked when I first heard about it! I mean, they’re known for elegantly gliding through the water and gracefully plucking up plants to snack on, not chowing down on stinging insects. 

But apparently, they’ve been known to munch on wasps, hornets, and other flying pests when they’re craving some protein. Who knew these regal birds had a bit of a wild side?

Blackbirds

Hey, did you know that blackbirds are tough little birds that actually eat wasps? Yeah, you read that right – wasps! These feisty birds aren’t afraid to take on a stinger or two in order to get a tasty meal. And can you blame them? 

Blackbirds are known for their love of creepy crawlies and it seems like they’re always on the hunt for their next insect snack. So, next time you see a blackbird flitting around your garden, you never know – it might just be munching on a wasp!

Long-Tailed Tits

Have you ever seen those adorable little birds with the super long tails? Yep, those are the long-tailed tits and as cute as they may be, they have a pretty badass diet. Believe it or not, these little fluffballs have been known to feast on wasps! Yes, you read that right. 

Those tiny little birds that could easily fit in the palm of your hand are not to be messed with when it comes to their food choices. It just goes to show that you can never judge a book by its cover, or in this case, a bird by its cuteness.

Magpies

Did you know that magpies are fearless when it comes to food? They’ll eat everything from insects to small mammals, and even other birds! One thing that doesn’t seem to deter them is the sting of a wasp. Magpies are known for snacking on wasps without hesitation. I guess they’ve got a tough beak and a high tolerance for pain! It’s fascinating to think about the different eating habits of birds and how they’ve adapted to their environments.

Blue Jays

Have you ever seen a blue jay snatch up a wasp and gobble it down like it was no big deal? Yeah, me neither. But apparently, that’s just another day in the life of a blue jay! These colorful birds are known for their bold personalities and their willingness to eat just about anything that crawls, flies or slithers. 

And while a wasp might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of blue jay cuisine, these feisty birds are more than happy to add a little sting to their diet. Who knew?

House Wrens

Did you know that House Wrens are fearless little predators? These tiny birds have been known to eat everything from insects to small snakes and lizards. But what’s really impressive is their ability to take down wasps and bees. Despite their small size, House Wrens are fearless when it comes to insects with stingers. 

They’ll sneak up on a wasp nest, grab a few to feast on, and then retreat to safety. It’s a risky meal, but House Wrens seem to enjoy the challenge. Next time you hear their cheerful chatter in your backyard, take a moment to appreciate these brave little birds and their appetites for adventure.

Rufous Hummingbirds

Did you know that Rufous Hummingbirds are tough little birds? Not only can they fly up to 40 mph, but they also eat insects like wasps! That’s right, these tiny birds are fearless when it comes to finding a meal. While their primary diet consists of nectar from flowers, Rufous Hummingbirds will also snack on insects to supplement their diet. 

It’s amazing how something so small can take on creatures that are much larger than them. So, the next time you spot a Rufous Hummingbird in your backyard, be sure to admire their bravery and tenacity in the face of a wasp-filled world.

Chickadees

Have you ever witnessed a chickadee munching down on a wasp? It may sound like an odd sight, but these tiny birds actually have a taste for the stingers. With their agile and quick movements, chickadees are able to swoop in and grab unsuspecting wasps in mid-air. The birds then use their sharp beaks to carefully pluck off the wasp’s stinger before devouring the rest of the insect. 

It’s an impressive and slightly intimidating display of nature’s survival instincts. Next time you spot a chickadee, keep an eye out for their daring wasp-eating habits.

White-Breasted Nuthatches

Have you ever seen a White-Breasted Nuthatch going to town on a wasp nest? It’s a sight to behold. These little birds can eat up to 200 wasps in just a few minutes! With their long, sharp bills and quick reflexes, they make short work of those pesky insects. It’s amazing to watch them swoop in, snatch up a wasp, and fly away before the rest of the nest even knows what’s happening. 

Plus, they’re just the cutest little things with their blue-gray backs and white bellies. Who knew such a small bird could be such a fierce warrior against wasps?

Bluebirds

Did you know that bluebirds are fearless little creatures when it comes to their diet? It’s true! In addition to their diet of insects, berries, and seeds, these small birds have been known to chow down on wasps. That’s right, wasps! While it may seem like a dangerous meal to some, bluebirds seem to have no problem taking on these buzzing pests. 

These birds are definitely not picky eaters and will gladly consume whatever they can find, even if it’s a stinging and prickly wasp. It’s just one of the many things that make bluebirds such fascinating creatures to observe.

Summer Tanagers

Summer tanagers are eye-catching, medium-sized songbirds known for their vibrant colors and beautiful songs. The males are a bright red, while females and juveniles show off a rich yellow or golden hue. You’ll often spot them in open woodlands, especially around oak or pine trees. Native to the Americas, these birds migrate between North and South America, traveling impressive distances. 

One of the coolest things about summer tanagers is their ability to hunt bees and wasps. They’ve developed a clever method—grabbing wasps mid-flight, then bashing them against a branch to remove the stinger before eating. This not only helps control insect populations but also shows off their adaptability and precision. Their knack for safely handling such tricky prey is a testament to their resilience and specialized feeding skills.

How Do Birds Eat Wasps Without Getting Stung? 

The answer lies in their beaks. Unlike mammals, birds don’t have teeth, so they can’t chew food. Their food needs to be swallowed whole or almost whole.

When a bird swallows a wasp, the stinger is too long to puncture the bird’s stomach wall, and it remains harmlessly lodged on the food bolus (wad of chewed-up food). The bird then digests the wasp and excretes it later — along with the sting.

If you look carefully at a bird’s throat, you will see many small bumps. These are called papillae. They form finger-like projections which point back towards the bird’s oesophagus (gullet). The papillae prevent its prey from moving back up its throat, and its sharp edges help to hold food in place as it is swallowed.

{ Read More: How to Keep Wasps Out of Bird Houses }

How Do You Attract Wasp-Eating Birds?

Nesting wasps attract wasp-eating birds because that’s where there are lots of them to eat. So if you don’t have a nest, you won’t get birds!

If you want to attract birds to eat your wasps, I suggest starting by trying to find existing wasp nests. You can try using a fake nest made from paper or plastic. The important thing is to have lots of them close together so the birds will see it as a good food source.

Natural Wasp Repellent

• 15 Best Wasp Repellent Plants
• How to Keep Wasps Out of Bird Houses
• The Best Home Remedies for Wasps
• Amazing Essential Oil Wasp Repellent Recipe

Plant Some Plants that Attract Birds

The diversity of their environment attracts wasp eating birds, so if you have a garden or lawn with different types of plants and trees, you can attract birds to eat wasps. You need to place bird feeders on a post or pole approximately 5 feet off the ground, preferably in a shaded area. The feeder should be filled with seeds designed for birds that eat insects.

If you have a tree in your yard that naturally attracts wasps, you can also attract birds to eat them by placing a bird feeder in the tree. Birds that like to hunt insects and wasps are attracted to these trees because they have plenty of cover and places to hide when hunting insects

Birds need shelter from the sun and rain, so placing bird feeders under the eaves of your house is ideal. If you have trees in your yard, by placing bird feeders on branches near nests, you will attract more wasp eating birds to your yard than if they were hanging on posts or poles.

The birds will not be attracted by the same things a human gardener is. You don’t want flowers. You want wasps. So, if your goal is to attract bug-eating birds, the plants you wish to have nothing to do with attracting a human to look at them and everything to do with attracting wasps.

The most obvious choice would be lavender (Lavandula), which has been shown to attract both honey bees and bumblebees, but also some other plants that are known for attracting bees like clover (Trifolium) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis).

Another good choice would be butterfly bushes (Buddleia davidii) because they have nectar-rich flowers that attract both butterflies and bees in large numbers during the spring/summer months.

If you are looking for a helpful way to attract wasp-eating birds to your garden, look no further. If you have a fruit tree or some berry bushes growing in your garden, attracting wasp-eaters is easy! Before long, you will have plenty of birds coming by to clean up the pests in your backyard.

References

https://www.treehugger.com/how-to-attract-bug-eating-birds-to-your-garden

http://waspremovaltoronto.ca/blog/what-are-some-examples-of-birds-that-eat-wasps/