Page 25 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

FEEDING

LAND FEEDERS BERRY EATERS
Birds of all shapes and sizes are land feeders. Many, Redwings and other thrushes gorge themselves
such as pigeons and finches, feed on the ground as in the autumn and early winter if the berry
well as in trees, depending on the time of year. Geese, crop is good. If the crop fails
some waders, and pipits are, on the other hand, then they must turn to
worms and other food,
exclusively ground birds; some birds, such as bustards or fly great distances in
and cranes, are so big that they have no option but to search of berries and
stay on the ground. Others, such as woodpeckers, fruit elsewhere.
prefer trees, and chip away at bark to locate insects.
The type of food that they eat affects the way that bird
communities feed. Some take in food that is spread
over a wide area but is not very abundant, so they
disperse themselves in order to avoid competing with
each other. Others eat food, such as seeds, that is only
located in a few places. It is often in plentiful supply, TEARING FLESH
however, which allows them to feed in sociable flocks. Birds of prey catch food with their feet, which have incredibly
sharp talons. However, they often kill the prey and rip it apart
using their hooked bills.

TEARING GRASS PROBING IN THE GROUND
Geese use their broad bills to tear at grass, shoots, The Hoopoe uses its slim, faintly
and roots. This type of food is easy to find, so they curved bill to probe into loose soil and
are able to feed together without needing to defend under clumps of earth or roots to reach
their territories to gain sole use of the food supply. worms, grubs, and a variety of insects.
KLEPTOPARASITISM
AERIAL FEEDERS
Catching insects in flight is a skilful operation, and Many birds are quick to take
is undertaken in different ways. Nightjars have tiny bills but advantage of smaller, weaker species
wide mouths that are fringed with bristles – these allow them by stealing their food.This is called
kleptoparasitism. For example, Great
to catch flying moths after dark. Swifts catch tiny insects high Black-backed Gulls harry Puffins
in the sky by day while swallows chase bigger flies returning to their burrows with fish
low down over meadows. Hobbies also catch while Black-headed Gulls chase
bigger insects, as well as small birds, but lapwings in fields, forcing them to
use their feet to do so.All of these drop juicy worms. Sometimes even
examples eat their prey in one bird of prey will rob another.
mid-air. Flycatchers and many
warblers, however, return to a
perch once they have snapped
up their prey.

FLY-CATCHING EXPERT
The Spotted Flycatcher sits alert
and upright on a perch until it
spots a small moth or a fly. It darts
out, twisting and turning with POWERFUL SKUAS
great agility, to catch the prey in Great Skuas not only kill birds but also force
its bill with a loud “snap”, then down and steal food from other seabirds such
returns to the same perch as Kittiwakes, Fulmars, and even Gannets.
to eat its meal at leisure.

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