Birds That Eat Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance—they’re carriers of serious diseases like West Nile virus and malaria. While traditional pest control methods often rely on chemical repellents and insecticides, attracting mosquito-eating birds may be a more natural and eco-friendly alternative. 

Though bats are well-known for their voracious appetite for mosquitoes, many bird species are also opportunistic feeders that help keep mosquito populations in check. For example, Northern Cardinals often feed mosquitoes to their young due to the insects’ small size, making them an ideal food source.

Birds That Eat Mosquitoes

List of Birds That Eat Mosquitoes

The following birds are confirmed to eat mosquitoes as part of their diet. 

NameSize (in.)Where They Are Found
Tree Swallow4-6Between north-central Alaska and the tree line of Canada in the north, Tennessee in the southeast, California and New Mexico in the west, and Kansas in the center
Common Nighthawk8-10Throughout the United States and southern parts of Canada like Ontario and Winnipeg as well as in places in Central and South America like Mexico, Panama, and Colombia
Eastern Bluebird6-8Eastern North America, in places like Arkansas, Ohio, and South Carolina in the U.S. as well as parts of Central America like Nicaragua and Guatemala
Purple Martin*7-9Through eastern North America and some parts of the west coast, from British Columbia to Mexico, including US states like California and Washington
Ruby-throated Hummingbird2-4Throughout most of the eastern United States, from Maine to Florida and south-central and southeastern Canada
House Wren4-5Throughout most of North America, except the northern parts of Canada, as well as Central America and the northern parts of South America, including Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador
Black-capped Chickadee4-6From western Alaska through northern California and northern Nevada to New Jersey in the U.S. and southern Yukon, and all provinces from British Columbia to Newfoundland in Canada
Downy Woodpecker5-7Places like Alaska, Oregon, and Washington in the U.S. as well as parts of Canada like Newfoundland
Baltimore Oriole6-8Throughout eastern North America in places like Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi in the U.S. and Nova Scotia and Toronto in Canada
Northern Cardinal8-9Places in eastern US like Maine, Minnesota, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California as well as Mexico
Great Tit5-6Most of Europe (excluding Iceland and northern Scandinavia), North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia), and extends from Afghanistan and northern Iran to northern China and the Amur Valley, including Mongolia and the Middle East
Barn Swallow6-8Across the Northern Hemisphere, throughout the Caucasus and North America
Eastern Phoebe5-7Places in eastern North America like Quebec in Canada and North Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia in the U.S.
Eastern Kingbird7-9Fields and forests throughout North America
Eastern Wood Pewee5-6Places in eastern USA like Texas and New York as well as Canada
Gray Flycatcher5-6From southern British Columbia through a narrow region in central Washington to eastern Oregon and California, with a range encompassing Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico
Great Crested Flycatcher6-8Eastern North America encompassing northern and southern Florida, parts of Texas, central Oklahoma, and eastern and central North Dakota in the U.S. and southern Manitoba, extreme southern Ontario and Quebec, northeast Nova Scotia, and parts of Prince Edward Island in Canada 
Yellow Warbler4-7Throughout North America, except the northernmost parts of Canada
Red-eyed Vireo4-5Across Canada and the eastern and northwestern United States, including Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Ohio
White-eyed Vireo4-5Eastern North America, extending from New England to northern Missouri, extending south to Texas and Florida in the U.S. as well as eastern Mexico, northern Central America, Cuba, and the Bahamas
Muscovy Duck34-36Throughout the Americas, from Texas and Mexico to Argentina and Uruguay
Blackpoll Warbler4-6Throughout northern North America, including Alaska, New England, the Adirondack Mountains of New York, and most of Canada
Red-winged Blackbird6-9Across North America, from central-eastern Alaska and Yukon to Newfoundland in the north, extending south to northern Costa Rica, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific
*Despite the myth, Purple Martins eat only a small number of mosquitoes daily, as they typically hunt for insects higher in the air where mosquitoes are less common.

It is also worth mentioning that waterfowl like the Muscovy Duck also feed on mosquito larvae that hatch in their aquatic habitats.

Birds That Eat Mosquitoes Occasionally

The following birds may consume mosquitoes occasionally alongside other insects or if other prey is not available.

  • American Robin
  • Carolina Chickadee
  • Cerulean Warbler
  • Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
  • Eastern Meadowlark
  • Eastern Towhee
  • Swainson’s Thrush
  • Northern Rough-winged Swallow
  • Nashville Warbler
  • Common Grackle
  • Common Yellowthroat
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Yellow-rumped Warbler
  • Black-crowned Night Heron
  • Northern Mockingbird
  • Pine Warbler
  • Yellow-billed Cuckoo

How to Attract Mosquito-eating Birds

  • Creating Proper Nesting Spots — Installing species-specific birdhouses at the right heights, adding perches, and providing natural nesting materials like twigs and mud can attract birds like swallows to nest and catch mosquitoes.
  • Providing Food and Water — Providing protein-rich insects like mealworms and maintaining a clean water source, such as a shallow birdbath, encourages birds to nest year-round, ensuring they are present when mosquitoes start to emerge. Installing a seed feeder will not help, as most of the birds attracted to them are less likely to forage for mosquitoes.
  • Creating a Bird-Friendly Environment — Minimizing pesticide use, maintaining soft lighting at night to protect feeding habitats, and keeping pets like cats indoors or supervised will help the birds feel safe to build nests.

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