Eggs: Backyard Birds Known To Eat Other Birds Eggs
Fish Crow (Family: Corvidae. Genus: Corvus)
American Crow (Family: Corvidae. Genus: Corvus)
Blue Jay (Family: Corvidae. Genus: Cyanocitta)
Common Grackle (Family: Icetridae. Genus: Quiscalus)
Brown-Headed Cowbird (Family: Icetridae. Genus: Molothrus)
Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Family: Picidea. Genus: Melanerpes)
Black-Capped Chickadees (reported in three studies) (Family: Paridae. Genus: Poecile)
The Black-Capped Chickadees were the bird that most surprised me. I’m not sure how common this is because I couldn’t find any other references to eating bird eggs in other sources. Although I have seen reports of them taking eggs out of bluebird nests, it seemed like they were doing it to compete for nesting spots. (Note: We see Carolina Chickadees in my yard instead of Black-Capped Chickadees.) There dont appear to be similar reports for them. ).
All About Birds Brown-Headed Cowbird page suggests that the reason that female Brown-Headed Cowbirds will eat shells and eggs is a need for calcium. Their parasitic approach to laying many eggs in the nests of other birds makes calcium a priority apparently.
Nestlings: Backyard Birds Known To Eat Other Birds Nestlings
Red-Shouldered Hawk (Family: Accipitridae. Genus: Buteo) (one report)
Coopers Hawk (Family: Accipitridae. Genus: Accipiter)
Sharp-Shinned Hawk (Family: Accipitridae. Genus: Accipiter)
Fish Crow (Family: Corvidae. Genus: Corvus)
American Crow (Family: Corvidae. Genus: Corvus)
Blue Jay (Family: Corvidae. Genus: Cyanocitta)
Common Grackle (Family: Icetridae. Genus: Quiscalus)
Red-Bellied Woodpecker (occasionally) (Family: Picidea. Genus: Melanerpes)
Do Crows Eat Other Birds? Does Anyone Eat Them?
Although crows can eat almost anything, do crows also eat other birds? Do crows eat ravens? Let’s find out.
In short, the answer is yes; crows have the potential to consume other birds.
Crows are naturally aggressive birds. They are much bigger than crows and have a tendency to start fights, even with ravens from the same Corvid family.
If they can subdue adult birds, crows can attack and devour nestlings, eggs, and even adult birds. That being said, it is uncommon for crows to kill and eat other birds.
FAQ
What bird would eat another bird?
Do crows eat other birds?
Do blackbirds chase away other birds?
Do wild birds eat other birds?