Backyard Birds That Eat Other Birds

Common Grackle
(Common Grackle)

While most birds in your yard probably consume insects and/or seeds, some backyard birds do eat other birds. Some target adult birds. Some eat other birds’ nestlings. And some eat the eggs of other birds. Do you know which ones? You might be surprised!

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Suet Starlings and Grackles Won’t Eat?

Starlings at Suet Feeder
Starlings Eying a Suet Feeder (parent and fledgling)

Looking for suet that European Starlings and Common Grackles won’t eat? In cooler months of the year, try pure suet. I’ve been experimenting with this type of commercial suet this winter and spring. Pure suet has downsides, but it is worth adding to your bird feeding bag of tricks. Here’s why.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

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Fewer Mixed Blackbird Flocks at My Feeders 2020

Common Grackles are Often Part of Mixed Flocks
Common Grackles are Often Part of Mixed Flocks

Large mixed “blackbird” flocks are the bane of backyard birdwatchers in late winter and early spring. Appearing in mass, groups of Common Grackles, European Starlings, Brown-Headed Cowbirds and Red-Winged Blackbirds can take over feeders and push other birds out. But this year, for many reasons, the blackbird flocks are not as much of a problem in my yard. Some of this is because of things I’ve done to set up my feeders and some is beyond my control.

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