Do red wing black birds eat mosquitoes?

Red wing black birds are a common sight across much of North America and get their name from the bright red and yellow shoulder patches on the males. These small yet striking birds are a familiar presence in wetlands and fields across the continent. But do these little birds help control mosquito populations? Let’s take a closer look at the diet and behavior of red wing blackbirds to find out.

What do red wing blackbirds eat?

Red wing blackbirds are omnivorous, meaning they eat a varied diet of both plant and animal matter. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and insects. During spring and summer, they primarily eat insects like dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies, moths, beetles, ants, bees, wasps, and spiders. They also consume some mosquitoes, though mosquitoes do not make up a major part of their diet.

In the fall and winter months when insects are less abundant, red wing blackbirds switch to eating more plant material and seeds from grasses, sedges, corn, rice, sunflower, and more. They supplement their diet with small amounts of aquatic animals like snails, crayfish, tadpoles, and small fish. Berries and fruits can also occasionally be eaten when available.

Key Facts on the Red Wing Blackbird Diet:

• Eats mainly insects and seeds
• Common insect prey includes dragonflies, butterflies, beetles, ants, bees, wasps, and spiders
• Eats some mosquitoes, but mosquitoes do not make up a major portion of diet
• Switches to eating more seeds and plant material in fall and winter
• May supplement diet with aquatic animals like snails and small fish

Do red wing blackbirds help control mosquito populations?

While red wing blackbirds do eat some mosquitoes, research suggests they do not significantly impact mosquito populations or control mosquito-borne diseases. Here are some key reasons why:

• Mosquitoes make up only a very small percentage of red wing blackbird diet
• Red wing blackbirds prefer larger insect prey like dragonflies and are opportunistic feeders
• Their small body size limits the number of mosquitoes an individual bird can eat
• Mosquito abundance is driven more by environmental factors like water availability and temperature
• Mosquito species that spread diseases tend to be less active and accessible during bird feeding times

While interesting to observe, a red wing blackbird catching and eating the occasional mosquito likely makes little dent in the local mosquito population. Mosquito control is better achieved through elimination of breeding habitats, intelligent use of targeted pesticides, and encouraging populations of specialized mosquito predators like bats, dragonflies, and other insects.

Key Points on Red Wing Blackbirds and Mosquito Control:

• Do eat some mosquitoes, but mosquitoes make up tiny fraction of overall diet
• Prefer larger insect prey over tiny mosquitoes
• Small size limits number of mosquitoes individual birds can eat
• Mosquito populations driven more by environmental factors
• Unlikely to impact mosquito numbers or disease transmission in meaningful way

What eats mosquitoes? Best mosquito predators:

If red wing blackbirds don’t control mosquitoes, what animals do help keep mosquito populations in check? Here are some of the most effective mosquito predators:

Bats

Bats are voracious predators of night-flying insects like mosquitoes. A single little brown bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquito-sized insects per hour. Bats locate and capture mosquitoes using echolocation. Numerous studies have shown that higher bat populations significantly reduce mosquito numbers and bites on humans.

Dragonflies

Dragonflies are fierce mosquito hunters. Both dragonfly larvae in water and adults on the wing prey on mosquitoes. A single dragonfly can eat hundreds of mosquitoes per day and are especially adept at capturing mosquitoes on the wing.

Spiders

Many spiders capture and eat mosquitoes in their webs. Mosquitoes comprise up to 50-70% of prey caught by some orb-weaving spiders. Spider webs can intercept flying mosquitoes and also trap them near water surfaces.

Frogs and Toads

As tadpoles and adults, frogs and toads consume huge numbers of mosquito larvae in water. They also catch adult mosquitoes with their sticky tongues. A single adult toad or frog may eat thousands of mosquitoes each season.

Fish

Many species of small fish are important predators of mosquito larvae. Examples include mosquitofish, pupfish, minnows, killifish, and bluegills. Introducing fish to water gardens or fountains can help control mosquito breeding.

Best Mosquito Predators Table:

Other mosquito control methods:

In addition to encouraging predators, there are several other effective mosquito control techniques to reduce bites and disease transmission:

Draining breeding sites

Eliminating standing water removes mosquito breeding habitats. Drain or fill yard depressions, old tires, clogged gutters and more.

Protective clothing

Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing with long sleeves and pants when outside during peak mosquito times.

Mosquito traps

Traps like the Mosquito Magnet use CO2 and scent to lure mosquitoes in. Some also contain vacuums to capture mosquitoes.

Insect growth regulators

IGRs prevent mosquito larvae from maturing. They can be applied to water sources by mosquito control professionals.

Larvicides

Used to kill mosquito larvae in water. Safer than broad spraying of adulticides.

Adulticides

Chemical pesticides that kill adult mosquitoes. Should be used cautiously and only when necessary.

Conclusion

While red wing blackbirds do eat some mosquitoes, they do not significantly impact mosquito populations or disease transmission. Mosquito control is better achieved by managing breeding sites, encouraging specialized predators like bats and dragonflies, and using least-toxic methods like draining water sources, traps, and growth inhibitors when necessary.