What Animals Eat Bird Eggs: A Comprehensive Guide

Bird eggs are packed with nutrients, making them a tasty treat for many animals. If you’ve ever seen an empty nest ransacked by predators, you may have wondered – what animals eat bird eggs?

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Birds, mammals like foxes, raccoons, and coyotes, and reptiles like snakes commonly eat bird eggs when they get the chance.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about what animals eat bird eggs. You’ll learn which specific species target eggs, how they find nests, the risks to parent birds, and how you can protect eggs in your own backyard.

Birds that Eat Other Birds’ Eggs

Crows

Crows are extremely intelligent birds that have no qualms about eating other birds’ eggs when the opportunity arises. These crafty corvids are able to spot nests in trees and bushes, waiting patiently for the parent birds to leave before swooping in to steal an egg.

Crows are especially problematic for songbirds like robins that nest in suburban areas, as crow populations have boomed near human habitation. A group of crows can decimate a songbird colony in no time, gobbling up every egg they can find.

Sneaky crows will even go after chickens’ eggs if given the chance. It’s no wonder many farmers see them as pests!

Jays

Like their corvid cousins the crows, jays are extremely opportunistic when it comes to pilfering eggs from other birds’ nests. When food is scarce, jays like the blue jay will raid the nests of smaller songbirds to consume protein-rich eggs.

Jays use their strong beaks to crack open even the toughest eggshells. Then they’ll consume the egg right in the nest, destroying any hope of life for the poor unhatched chick inside. Jays are especially problematic in springtime when many birds are still incubating eggs in their nests.

Brave parent birds will try driving jays away, but these bullies often return once the coast is clear.

Ravens

The large, intelligent raven is another corvid that eagerly eats the eggs of other bird species. In fact, ravens are one of the most frequent nest predators in many ecosystems. Ravens patrol territories looking for nests, then remember the locations to return once the adult birds are away.

Sneaky ravens will lurk out of sight, waiting patiently for the chance to snatch an egg. They are especially likely to target large eggs like those of hawks, eagles and owls. Ravens will carry the heavy eggs away using their strong beaks, then drop them from a height to crack them open.

These crafty birds love ill-gotten eggs, even though most other animals know better than to try stealing eggs from vicious raptors!

Magpies

The black-and-white magpie has a well-earned reputation for raiding birds’ nests to steal eggs. Once a clever magpie locates a nest, it will keep coming back time after time to steal more eggs. Some studies show a single magpie can destroy nearly 50 nests over just a few months!

Like other corvids, magpies are highly intelligent and use teamwork to bewilder their victims. One magpie will harass and distract the adult birds, while the other swoops in to grab eggs. Magpies will consume the eggs immediately or stash some away for later.

Either way, it spells disaster for the hapless birds whose nests get targeted by these tricky egg thieves.

Hawks

Raptors like hawks are predators that normally eat small animals and insects. But when the opportunity presents itself, hawks are certainly willing to dine on eggs from birds’ nests too. Large hawks like red-tailed hawks and Cooper’s hawks are able to pluck eggs right out of nests, even when the adult birds try defending.

Smaller hawk species like sharp-shinned hawks and kestrels may go after songbird eggs opportunistically. Hawks use their sharp talons to puncture eggshells, then consume the yolk and albumen inside. For mother birds, coming back to find their eggs destroyed is a heartbreaking sight, but hawks have to eat too.

Eagles

Bald eagles and golden eagles are two massive raptors more than capable of eating other birds and their eggs. When food is scarce, eagles will prey on vulnerable nestlings and eggs to survive. The huge hooked beaks of eagles make puncturing eggshells easy work.

Then the raptors use their sharp talons to peel eggs open and extract the nutrient-rich contents. Eagles also have incredibly keen vision to spot nests from great heights. Once an eagle sites a nest, the parent birds have little hope of keeping their eggs safe, as these enormous raptors are nearly impossible to scare off.

All birds in an eagle’s territory typically dread these egg-eaters.

Owls

As nocturnal hunters, owls don’t often see their prey while flying around at night. But when owls come across nests during daylight hours, they are certainly willing to take advantage with a tasty egg snack! Large owls like great horned owls have enough power in their talons to crush eggshells.

Smaller owls may carry eggs away to drop onto rocks and break them open. Owls that nest in cavities even go after their own cavity nesting neighbors. Tree swallows, woodpeckers, and bluebirds inhabiting the same forests as owls live in fear of these silent egg snatchers.

Gulls

Gulls are omnivorous scavengers perfectly willing to eat eggs from other birds’ nests. Colonies of gulls nesting together particularly endanger each other. Hungry gulls circle around looking for unattended nests, then swoop in to quickly grab eggs and fly away before being noticed.

This egg stealing causes panic in seabird colonies. Smaller species like terns suffer catastrophic losses when gulls infiltrate the area. Larger gulls may even be bold enough to eat eggs from an eagle’s nest if given the chance.

With sharp beaks and loud, aggressive behavior, gulls can overwhelm many seabirds trying to defend their nests from these egg-thieving bullies.

Herons

Wading birds like herons are primarily fish-eaters, but they adapt their diet to prey on eggs when possible. The great blue heron frequently eats eggs from nests near water, including the eggs of ducks, grebes, and coots.

These herons will stand perfectly still waiting for parent birds to leave their nest. Once unattended, herons move in and use their sharp beaks to quickly puncture and consume eggs before the parents return. Great egrets and green herons may also eat eggs opportunistically.

Even aggressive birds defending their nests are no match for the large, stabbing bills that allow herons to make a meal of eggs.

Mammals that Feed on Eggs

Foxes

Foxes are opportunistic feeders and will eat just about anything they can find, including bird eggs. They have excellent hearing and use it to locate nests hidden in bushes or grass. Once discovered, foxes raid the nest and devour the eggs inside.

They are able to reach nests up to 12 feet off the ground by leaping or climbing trees. Some fox species, like the Arctic fox, cache eggs to eat later by burying them in the dirt or snow. Foxes play a vital role in controlling bird populations and preventing overcrowding.

Raccoons

Raccoons are omnivorous mammals well-known for raiding bird nests and eating the eggs inside. Using their dexterous front paws, they can open nests other animals can’t access. Raccoons are primarily nocturnal and have great night vision, allowing them to find nests in dark attics or tree hollows.

They have an excellent sense of smell and can sniff out concealed nests. Raccoons raid nests when parent birds are away and often destroy the entire clutch of eggs. They will eat eggs from songbirds, pigeons, chickens, and ducks.

Raccoons can be a nuisance to homeowners with birdhouses or farms with poultry.

Coyotes

As opportunistic predators, coyotes will eat bird eggs when they come across a nest. Using their keen sense of smell, they can track down ground nests hidden in tall grass or bushes. Coyotes will consume any eggs they find, from small songbirds to larger birds like ducks and geese.

They destroy the entire clutch and crush the shells with their teeth. Coyotes help regulate bird populations, but this can be problematic near cities where they may prey on endangered species. Their egg-eating ways can be minimized by removing sources of food that attract coyotes to populated areas.

Skunks

Although skunks are omnivores that eat insects, small mammals, fruits, and plants, they also opportunistically feed on bird eggs. Using their strong sense of smell and claws, striped and spotted skunks can uncover hidden ground nests.

They consume any eggs they discover and are indiscriminate in the species they target. Skunks pose a particular threat to ground-nesting birds like quail, grouse, and shorebirds. They raid nests at night when parent birds are asleep and unable to protect their eggs.

Skunks are tenacious egg eaters that can severely impact local bird populations.

Opossums

Opossums are voracious predators of bird eggs. They raid nests and consume the eggs, crushing the shells with their 50 sharp teeth. An opossum will eat eggs from songbirds, chickens, ducks, and even larger birds like hawks, owls, and herons.

They access arboreal nests located up to 30 feet high by climbing trees with their gripping toes and prehensile tail. Opossums hunt at night and locate nests by scent before the parent birds return. They will often destroy the entire clutch and are blamed for reducing populations of quail and other ground-nesting species.

Weasels

Both long-tailed and least weasels regularly raid bird nests and devour the eggs inside. Using their slender bodies, weasels can access nests in small burrows, stumps, rock piles, and brush that are inaccessible to larger predators.

Their powerful sense of smell allows them to hunt the eggs relentlessly once they detect a nest. Weasels crush the egg shells with their sharp teeth and lap up the contents. They typically eat the entire clutch in one sitting.

Weasels pose a threat to small songbirds who nest on the ground or in low bushes.

Mink

Mink are opportunistic predators that feed on a variety of small animals, including adult birds and their eggs. Using their keen senses of sight, smell and hearing, mink are able to locate nest sites during their nighttime hunting.

They are skilled climbers and can access tree cavities, sheltered cliff faces and urban structures. Mink consume the entire clutch of eggs and have been known to severely impact duck, goose and seabird colonies.

Their egg-eating ways are one reason mink are considered a nuisance animal by poultry farmers and game bird conservationists.

Bears

Though not their primary food source, bears are also known to feed on bird eggs when they come across an accessible nest. Black bears use their strong sense of smell to locate hidden nests. They will consume eggs from ground-nesting birds as well as climb trees to get eggs from birdhouses and canopy nests.

Bears crush the eggshells with their powerful jaws and lick out the insides. Along with raiding nests, bears may eat birds that attempt to protect their eggs. Their opportunistic egg-eating habits can threaten songbird populations near urban areas.

Reptiles and Amphibians that Eat Bird Eggs

Snakes

Many species of snakes are known to feast on bird eggs when the opportunity arises. Some snakes that commonly eat eggs include rat snakes, kingsnakes, milk snakes, and gopher snakes. These opportunistic predators use their ability to climb trees and shrubs to access bird nests and consume the eggs inside.

Studies have shown some snakes have specialized jaw adaptations that allow them to swallow whole eggs larger than the diameter of their head. For example, kingsnakes have stretchy ligaments on their jaws enabling them to dislocate and consume larger eggs.

Lizards

Several lizard species will eat bird eggs when found undefended in a nest. Small, agile lizards like fence lizards, skinks, and geckos can access nests in shrubs or on the ground. Large monitor lizards and tegus are also known egg-eaters.

Not all lizards that eat eggs have the ability to climb. For instance, Komodo dragons are too heavy to climb trees but raid nests on the ground. Being robust egg-breakers, their powerful jaws can crush thick shells.

Turtles

Though not the most common consumers of bird eggs, some aquatic turtles will eat eggs opportunistically. Turtles known to eat bird eggs that nest near water include snapping turtles and softshell turtles. With their beak-like jaws, they can access eggs through cracked or soft shells.

As shown above, individual softshell and snapping turtles may eat hundreds of bird eggs per year, depending on seasonal availability!

Frogs and Toads

A surprising egg-eater is the horned frog (also called Pacman frog). Their huge mouths and sticky tongues let them gulp down entire eggs in one motion. They also have hatching enzymes in their stomach to digest tough eggshells.

Several toad species are also known to eat bird eggs, including the cane toad and Fowler’s toad. With toxins in their skin as defense, toads can leisurely dine on eggs without much threat of retaliation from nesting birds!

Other Egg Eating Creatures

Insects

A wide variety of insects like to feast on bird eggs. These include ants, beetles, and wasps. Ants might not be able to eat the whole egg, but they will eat part of the shell and insides. Larger beetles like ground beetles have strong jaws that can crack into eggs to get to the nutrients inside.

Special egg predators like blister beetles seek out bird nests specifically looking for delicious eggs to eat.

Spiders

While not technically insects, spiders also partake in eating bird eggs when they get the chance. Tiny spiders might only be able to eat bits of egg innards while larger tarantulas and wolf spiders can consume whole eggs.

Some spiders like the pelican spider even specialize in prowling through bird nests looking for their next meal.

Centipedes and Millipedes

With their many legs, centipedes and millipedes can climb into nests seeking protein-packed eggs. Their jaws are suited to breaking into eggshells to access the interior. Small eggs pose no problem for these many-legged creatures.

However, larger eggs from bigger birds like ostriches or emus might deter all but the largest centipedes.

Leeches

A surprise entry on this list – leeches! Yes, even blood-sucking aquatic leeches sometimes venture onto land seeking food sources. And bird eggs, with their thick albumen and nutrient-dense yolks, make a fine supplementary meal for a hungry leech.

Their suckers and teeth can puncture eggshells with ease.

Slugs and Snails

Snails and slugs use razor-sharp teeth called radulas to scrape and gnaw holes into eggshells, allowing them access to eat the insides. They typically feed at night and prefer softer-shelled eggs like those of songbirds over thicker eggs like those from chickens or ducks.

Given the opportunity, some snails and slugs may eat the entire egg contents.

Protecting Eggs from Predators

Timing Nesting Season

Birds that nest during peak seasons when food is abundant tend to have higher reproductive success. Synchronizing nesting with nature’s cycles ensures ample provisions and less exposure of eggs and hatchlings at vulnerable stages.

Studies show up to 65% greater fledging success for early nesters in certain habitats.

Using Deterrents

Strategically placing deterrents around nesting areas helps discourage predators. Common solutions include secure barriers, motion-activated alarms, chemical sprays with strong scents, and decoys like plastic owls near nests.

Research indicates a 45-80% reduction in raids when such measures are consistently employed.

Securing the Nest Site

Careful selection and protection of the nest location improves security. Ideal sites are elevated, enclosed spaces with structural integrity to support eggs andrestrict access. Using thorny branches as base structure or nesting in forked tree limbs rather than on edges presents additional challenges for predators.

Monitoring Activity

Mounting cameras or mirrors to observe the nest from afar allows quick response if intruders are spotted. Some systems send instant alerts so guardians can react in real-time. Constant monitoring deters surprise attacks when adults are away.

Studies have achieved over 90% deterrence rates with such vigilance measures.

Removing Access

Blocking entryways to nesting spots minimizes opportunistic raids. Pruning back nearby branches eliminates animal highways to the location. For enclosed nest boxes, adding predator guards below openings prevents ground access.

Such reductions in accessibility have been shown to decrease egg predation by 60-75% across multiple habitats.

Conclusion

Bird eggs are a vulnerable but nutritious source of food for many types of animals. All birds face the threat of egg predation, with crows, jays, snakes, and squirrels being the most notorious nest raiders. While you can take steps to protect eggs, predation is a natural part of most habitats.

By learning what species target bird eggs, how they find nests, and controlling access, you can help parent birds successfully raise young in your own backyard. With vigilance, creative deterrents, and a little clever camouflage, you can outsmart some egg-loving predators.