What’s on the menu tonight? That depends who you’re asking. Wild songbirds across North America have particularly varied diets. While some have a diverse palate, others stick to what they know and what their anatomy will allow. Among the many diets of wild birds are vermivores and seedeaters. You may think you know which species fall into which categories, but some of these might surprise you. Read on and prepare to get an education on bird eats!
The zoological term for animals that eat both worms and worm-like creatures is a vermivore. The word “vermivore” comes from the latin word “vermi,” which means worm and the word “vorare,” which means to devour. It’s no wonder worm-eaters are voracious in their nature. Don’t be fooled by the worm element, though; the term vermivore is not just reserved for animals who eat worms. A vermivore’s diet may include annelids (segmented worms), nematodes (roundworms), and insect vermin.
Birds like worms for their protein and easy availability. Ground feeders find that birds are particularly favorable to their feeding habits, as all they need to do is poke their bills into the earth to dig them out. While plenty of birds are vermivores, the way they go about seeking their prey varies. Some have needle-like bills that let them pick at worms with extreme precision. Others are a little more generalized and will gobble up just about any invertebrate they come across.
Although most vermivores prefer fresh worms for their nutritious and flavorful profile, dead worms or freeze-dried mealworms will suffice if there is no other option. Fun fact: mealworms aren’t even worms at all! Instead, they’re actually darkling beetles in their larval stage. The reason mealworms are technically not considered worms is because they have 6 jointed legs, and worms by definition do not have legs. Still, they’re worm-like, which means that the birds that eat them still fall into the vermivore category.
Now we move onto seedeaters. These wild songbirds primarily subsist on seeds. The primary differentiator between seedeaters and vermivores is that these birds have the strong, conical bills necessary to crush seeds and access their “meat” for nutrients.
Seed-eating birds come in many forms, shapes, and sizes. While the majority of wild birds eat seeds, the types of seeds they eat and how they consume them varies greatly. Some of the most common seeds you’ll find in bird feeders include sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, nyjer, and millet. While straight bird seed can be great, seat-eating birds are also often fans of wild bird seed mixes. Keep in mind, however, that not all seeds are suitable for all birds. It’s therefore especially important to know the dietary preferences and constraints of the species you’re feeding before you fill your birdfeeder.
What’s not to like about seeds? In addition to the taste and crunch, birds favor seeds for being a nutritious food source. Seeds provide wild birds with the energy they need to fly about, migrate, and maintain a healthy weight, which is particularly crucial during the cold winter months. Another benefit of seeds for birds is that they can be stored for later. Seedeaters employ a behavior known as caching, which involves stashing seeds in tree bark crevices, needle clusters, gutters, and other sneaky hiding places near bird feeders. Seedeaters do this as a “just in case” precaution to safeguard themselves in the event that food becomes scarce. Some birds like chickadees are able to not only remember where their caches are, but also where other animals’ caches that contain their favorite foods may be. Those are some smart songbirds! 
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For woodland birds, woods and trees are a veritable food source, with everything from insects hiding in decaying wood to seeds sprouting on trees.
Treecreepers creep up trees in search of prey.
Credit: Geoff Smith / Alamy Stock Photo
These birds use their bills to tap at dead wood in search of food. The long tongue of great spotted woodpeckers is then used to locate their invertebrate prey, which includes beetle larvae. They eat more nuts and seeds in the winter when there are fewer insects around.
As highly adapted hunters, sparrowhawks hunt a variety of woodland bird species. Due to his smaller stature, the male will capture species like great tit The female can capture larger prey, like woodpigeons and starlings.
The treecreeper will search for insects and spiders from the base of a tree to the top. It supports itself while doing this with the stiff feathers on its tail. During the winter it will also feed on seeds.
Tawny owls hunt at night in woodlands, where they consume frogs, rodents, small mammals, and birds.
Despite the common misconception that all ducks consume the same foods, each species has distinct dietary preferences.
Shovelers filter water through their beaks.
Credit: Abi Warner / iStock.com
Shelducks consume mollusks and invertebrates, including shellfish, larvae, and worms.
Using its bill to filter water, the shoveler collects tiny insects and crustaceans.
The most well-known duck has a diverse diet, consuming berries, shellfish, seeds, insects, and plant matter.
Mute swans feed on vegetation and aquatic plants, like pondweeds. They use their long neck to reach the desired plants.
Even though wading bird species are extremely diverse, they are all adapted to feed on specific food sources, frequently in a specific depth of estuary mud.
Turnstones eat crabs and mussels, among other things.
Credit: David Callan / iStock.com
Because of their long, downcurved bills, curlews can retrieve food from the mud in estuaries. They consume other prey such as crabs and shellfish in addition to lugworms and ragworms. They can be seen in fields feeding on earthworms. They may also consume invertebrates, such as beetle larvae, in their diet.
When feeding, the avocet frequently moves its bill back and forth through shallow water. Worms, crustaceans, and other invertebrates like midge larvae make up its diet.
With a smaller bill, the lapwing consumes invertebrates such as beetles and leatherjackets. It lifts them from the earth or near the water’s surface.
Turnstones consume insects as well as mussels, periwinkles, crabs, and barnacles.
In the summer, migratory birds’ dark silhouettes fill our skies. These species migrate and do not spend the winter in the UK because of their diet, which is primarily composed of invertebrates, and the lower temperatures.
Sedge warblers enjoy a diet of predominantly insects.
Credit: mavy2k / iStock.com
Swallows catch their prey on the wing. They take pleasure in consuming flying ants, mosquitoes, and gnats among other small invertebrates.
Like swallows, swifts also catch their prey on the wing. They eat flying insects like hoverflies, beetles and aphids.
Invertebrates are the food source for warblers like the sedge and reed warblers. These include beetles, spiders and small snails.
Additionally, house martins almost exclusively consume their meal on the wing. They eat flying insects such as beetles, flies and aphids.
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Vermivore Bird Species
Worm eating is a favorite food of many wild bird species, including the following:
Woodpeckers. A woodpecker’s diet typically consists of insects, ants, mealworms, berries, nuts, and seeds.
Nuthatches. Nuthatches are noted for their love of tree nuts, but they also enjoy mealworms, insects, and spiders.
Robins. It is well known that these birds consume various invertebrates, including earthworms, beetles, caterpillars, snails, and spiders.
Starlings. Starlings are omnivores that prefer fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, legumes, nuts, and insects like caterpillars, mealworms, and beetles.
Owls. Owls consume not only earthworms but also, if given the opportunity, snails, crabs, fish, reptiles, other birds, and small mammals.
Bluebirds. It is common knowledge that bluebirds love mealworms, both fresh and dried. A word of caution: do NOT feed bluebirds earthworms. These beauties don’t have the digestive capability to handle them.
Bluebird eating a mealworm.
Photo credit:The Wood Thrush Shop
Now we move onto seedeaters. These wild songbirds primarily subsist on seeds. The main characteristic that separates seedeaters from vermivores is that the former have powerful, conical bills that are required to crush seeds and obtain nutrients from their “meat.”
Seed-eating birds come in many forms, shapes, and sizes. While the majority of wild birds eat seeds, the types of seeds they eat and how they consume them varies greatly. Some of the most common seeds you’ll find in bird feeders include sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, nyjer, and millet. While straight bird seed can be great, seat-eating birds are also often fans of wild bird seed mixes. Keep in mind, however, that not all seeds are suitable for all birds. It’s therefore especially important to know the dietary preferences and constraints of the species you’re feeding before you fill your birdfeeder.
Common redpolls devouring birdseed
Photo credit: SC Times
Why do Birds Like Seeds?
What’s not to like about seeds? In addition to the taste and crunch, birds favor seeds for being a nutritious food source. Seeds provide wild birds with the energy they need to fly about, migrate, and maintain a healthy weight, which is particularly crucial during the cold winter months. Another benefit of seeds for birds is that they can be stored for later. Seedeaters employ a behavior known as caching, which involves stashing seeds in tree bark crevices, needle clusters, gutters, and other sneaky hiding places near bird feeders. Seedeaters do this as a “just in case” precaution to safeguard themselves in the event that food becomes scarce. Some birds like chickadees are able to not only remember where their caches are, but also where other animals’ caches that contain their favorite foods may be. Those are some smart songbirds!
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