Quick Answer
Yes, barn swallows do eat wasps. Barn swallows are insectivorous birds that feed on flying insects like flies, mosquitoes, moths, butterflies, dragonflies, and bees. Wasps, including paper wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets, are also part of the diet of barn swallows.
Barn Swallow Diet
Barn swallows are aerial insectivores, which means they catch insects while in flight. They eat a wide variety of flying insects including:
- Flies
- Mosquitoes
- Moths
- Butterflies
- Bees
- Wasps
- Dragonflies
- Beetles
- Grasshoppers
- Crickets
Barn swallows spend most of their time flying and are capable of catching insects while in flight. They have excellent eyesight and can spot tiny insects from far away. Their large gape allows them to scoop up insects while flying at high speeds.
Adult barn swallows require about 850 insects per day to maintain energy requirements. The diet of nestlings is made up exclusively of insects captured by the parents.
Wasps in the Diet
Wasps, including paper wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets, are part of the natural diet of barn swallows. Here are some key points:
- Barn swallows regularly hawk flying insects over fields, lakes, rivers where wasp nests are located.
- The aerial hunting skills of barn swallows make them well-equipped to prey on wasps.
- Barn swallows are known to adapt their diet based on the seasonal availability of insects. In late summer and fall when wasp populations peak, barn swallows consume more wasps.
- Parent barn swallows feed their nestlings protein-rich wasps to help them grow and build muscle mass.
So while flies, bees, and moths make up a large portion of their diet, barn swallows frequently feed on stinging wasps as part of their varied insect diet. They are able to avoid getting stung through their swift flying skills.
Adaptations for Feeding on Wasps
Barn swallows have several key adaptations that allow them to prey on stinging insects like wasps:
- Speed and aerial agility – Barn swallows are fast flyers, capable of speeds up to 35 mph. Their streamlined bodies and long, pointed wings make them extremely maneuverable in flight.
- Wide gape – They have a wide mouth that allows them to easily scoop up insects.
- Excellent vision – Their eyesight helps them spot insects from a distance.
- Small size – Their small size makes them an elusive target for defending wasps.
- Compact feathers – Their feathers are smooth and lay flat against the body which reduces the risk of being stung.
These adaptations allow barn swallows to prey on wasps without getting mobbed or stung frequently.
Hunting Techniques
Barn swallows use their speed, agility, and stealth to hunt wasps:
- They approach wasp nests rapidly, plucking individual wasps in fast swooping motions.
- They grab wasps from the side or below avoiding face-to-face confrontation.
- Swallows will mob a nest with multiple quick passes to confuse and evade attacking wasps.
- Parent barn swallows will hunt wasps cooperatively in pairs, coordinating their swoops.
Their aerial maneuverability and velocity make it difficult for wasps to pursue, allowing barn swallows to target them with relative safety.
Defense Against Wasps
Although well-adapted to hunt wasps, barn swallows do get stung on occasion. They have some defensive tactics:
- They may kill wasps by beating them against a hard surface to subdue them.
- Swallows remove stingers by rubbing their bill against a branch or wall.
- Their skin and feathers protect them from some stings.
- After raiding a nest, they may anoint their feathers with green plants which has antiseptic properties.
So while barn swallows are susceptible to wasp stings, their flying skills, hunting techniques, and defensive behaviors help protect them.
Benefits of Eating Wasps
Here are some key benefits barn swallows receive from preying on wasps:
- High protein – Wasps are a good source of protein to fuel barn swallows’ high energy needs.
- Feeding nestlings – Parents can collect lots of wasps in a short time to frequently feed their demanding chicks.
- Abundant prey – Large wasp nests provide easy access to many insects in one place.
- Nutrient rich – Wasps provide micronutrients like selenium, magnesium, and sodium.
- Pest control – Barn swallows help control wasp populations which benefits humans.
In the fall especially, barn swallows strategically prey on wasps to build up fat reserves for migration. Overall, wasps provide essential nutrition for breeding and migration.
Risks of Eating Wasps
However, there are some risks swallows face when preying on wasps:
- Potential to get stung around the eyes, throat or other vulnerable areas.
- Eating too many wasps may expose them to insecticides from treated nests.
- Energy spent evading attacking wasps takes away from time feeding.
- Ingesting venom poses some risk of toxicity.
- May accidentally ingest parasitic wasp larvae.
To mitigate these risks, barn swallows are selective and strategic when targeting wasp nests. Overall, the benefits of eating wasps seem to outweigh the potential risks for barn swallows.
Conclusion
In conclusion, barn swallows do regularly feed on stinging wasps including paper wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets. Wasps provide a good source of insect protein and nutrients for breeding and migrating barn swallows. Barn swallows have specialized adaptations like speed, maneuverability, wide gapes, and compact feathers that allow them to prey on wasps with minimal risk. Their aerial hunting techniques enable them to exploit wasp nests and avoid getting stung. While they do face some risks like venom toxicity, the benefits of eating wasps as part of their diverse insect diet seem to outweigh the costs. So the answer is definitively yes, barn swallows do consume wasps as a natural part of their diet.
