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Mosquitoes are one of the most annoying backyard and garden pests. There is nothing worse than coming from outside and finding that you have been eaten alive by mosquitoes. Aside from annoying bites that can cause severe itching, some can also carry deadly viruses. While there are things you can do to limit their population, sometimes this tactic can seem like a losing battle. Fortunately, nature is ready to lend a helping hand and provide reinforcements to stop the mosquito attack. These reinforcements come in the form of several species of insectivorous birds. There are many birds that eat mosquitoes, and some consume them in large quantities. They act as a natural form of mosquito repellent and, best of all, you don’t even have to pay for them! However, how do you know if birds in your backyard or neighborhood eat mosquitoes?
In this article, we’ll help you figure out if the birds in your area feed on mosquitoes. Specifically, we will discuss 6 different birds that feed on mosquitoes, as well as where they live and how they can be identified. This way, you’ll know if you need to apply extra insect spray before you go out into your yard. Here are 6 birds that eat mosquitoes.
# 6: Barn Swallow
The barn swallow is a member of the swallow, marting and sawtooth family, Hirundinidae. It is the most widespread species of swallows in the world, found on all continents except Antarctica. Because of its abundance, it is often referred to simply as “swallow”. They breed in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Barn swallows build nests from cups in a variety of environments including grasslands, forests, and urban areas. Their name comes from their tendency to build their nests in human structures such as barns. Most swallows are 6.7 to 7.5 inches long with a wingspan of 12.6 to 13.6 inches. They have a sharp blue and white underside, blue back and tail, and a reddish brown forehead, chin, and throat. In addition to mosquitoes, they also eat other winged insects. Flies and ants are common prey, which they catch in the air or on the ground.
# 5: Eastern Phoebe
The Eastern Fiba is a small songbird from the Tyrannidae family of tyrannical flycatchers. Part of his name Phoebe, refers to the Roman moon goddess Diana, but also sounds similar to her vocalization. Eastern Fibes spend their summers in the eastern half of Canada and the United States. As the weather changes, they migrate south to winter in the southern states and Mexico. On average, eastern phoebes are 5.5 to 6.7 inches long with a wingspan of 10.2 to 11 inches. Usually their plumage on the back is gray-brown, with a white throat and a grayish chest. They build cup nests in forests, urban areas, and outdoor areas, especially near water sources. In addition to mosquitoes, they eat many other insects. If insects are not available, they can also eat fruits and berries, especially in winter.
# 4: Purple Martin
The purple swallow, the largest swallow in North America, belongs to the same family Hirundinidae as the barn swallow. It gets its name from its dark black / blue color, which can appear purple in certain lighting conditions. During the summer, they live in the east and southwest of the United States, as well as parts of Canada and Mexico. They will go to South America for the winter. Purple martins are usually 7.5 to 7.9 inches long with a wingspan of 15.3 to 16.1 inches. They build their nests in hollows, birdhouses, pumpkins, or inside hollowed-out trees. Known for their throaty, full vocals, purple martins sound cumbersome but rarely defend their territory from invasive birds. Their diet includes mosquitoes as well as other insects, especially bees. Extremely acrobatic birds, purple martinas delight birdwatchers with their aerial displays as they jump and dive to catch their prey.
# 3: blackpole songbird
The nightingale is a small songbird from the New World songbird family or forest songbirds, Parulidae. In the summer, their spawning grounds extend throughout Alaska and most of Canada. For the winter, they migrate to South America and record one of the longest non-stop flights over water of all songbirds. Their name comes from their black and white forehead and crown, as well as their high vocalizations. Blackpoll warblers have black and white plumage with white bridges on the wings and a striped underside. They tend to live in higher elevations, in mountain forests or bushes. However, some of them also live close to coastal areas, tundra and coniferous forests. They are mainly insectivorous, their diet includes mosquitoes, as well as spider worms, ants, midges, aphids, spiders and sawflies. During the hunt, they will flutter along the branches of trees and soar above the ground until they spot their prey.
# 2: Moscow duck
The Moscow duck is a wild and domestic breed of ducks native to the Americas. Originally bred in South America by Native Americans, wild populations now exist in Hawaii, Louisiana, Florida, and several other states. In Spanish they are also called domestic duck or “duck in the backyard” and dumb duck which means “dumb duck”. The name “Muscovy” is an old word used to designate the outskirts of the Moscow region. According to some reports, the name comes from a trading company that transported ducks between the New and Old Worlds. Muscovy ducks are a large species, they can reach 30 inches in length and weigh almost 15 pounds. Their plumage usually consists of black and white feathers with pink or red curls around the beak. Muscovite ducks eat a wide variety of foods in addition to mosquitoes, including grasses, fish, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans and insects.
# 1: Bluebird
The term bluebird refers to one of three species of songbirds in the thrush family, the Turdidae. Species include mountain bluebird, western bluebird, and eastern bluebird. They are found throughout North America, including the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Central America. Bluebirds feature prominently in popular media and cultural traditions and remain popular with enthusiasts and the general public. All species are medium in size with blue or blue-beige plumage. Most bluebirds prefer to live in pastures with few trees. Known for their territorial affiliation, they build their nests in hollows inside trees or in artificial nest boxes. However, the population has declined in recent years due to competition from invasive house sparrows and starlings. Apart from mosquitoes, they also eat a variety of insects and are especially fond of larvae such as mealworms. When insects are scarce, they also eat fruits and berries.
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