Sharp-shinned hawk hunting small birds – what eats birds at bird feeders 2026

Wondering what eats birds right in your own yard?

The answer to “what eats birds” most often isn’t a hawk or owl – it’s something far more common.

Shocking 2025 data from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Smithsonian confirms these 10 bird predators trigger billions of deaths yearly through classic predator prey relationship dynamics.

What eats birds more than any other animal? Domestic and feral cats – the undisputed #1 answer.

• Outdoor cats alone account for 1.3–4.0 billion bird deaths annually in the US (Smithsonian/ABC 2025 update)
• Bird feeders can increase risk for small birds by 69% without protection
• Predator and prey imbalances now contribute to 3+ billion total bird losses since 1970

Good news: You can shield small birds from every animal that what eats birds – starting today.

Jump straight to any section on what eats birds:

1. Cats (Top Answer to What Eats Birds)
2. Cooper’s & Sharp-shinned Hawks
3. Owls – Nighttime Bird Predators
4. Snakes
5. Raccoons
6. Foxes
7. Squirrels
8. Opossums
9. Larger Raptors
10. Corvids & Surprise Predators

Free 2026 Bonus: Grab the “What Eats Birds Protection Checklist” with proven bird feeder safeguards.

1. Domestic & Feral Cats – #1 Answer to What Eats Birds (1.3–4 Billion Killed Yearly)

If you ask most often in backyards, the answer is cats. Cats and birds create the deadliest predator prey relationship in suburbia.

What eats birds more than hawks, owls, or snakes combined? Cats. Latest Smithsonian & ABC estimates (2025) confirm cats are responsible for 1.3–4.0 billion bird deaths yearly – far outpacing all other predators.

What animals eat birds for sport? Even well-fed pet cats hunt small birds instinctively. Bird hunting peaks at bird feeders where small birds congregate.

Cats and birds at bird feeders = disaster. One study showed 69% higher mortality for small birds when cats have easy access.

2026 Protection Tips:

• Keep pet cats indoors – reduces what eats birds risk by 90%
• Use colorful collar covers or bells (BirdsBesafe proven effective)
• Place bird feeders 10–15 feet from cover so small birds can escape bird hunting cats

Remember: In the predator and prey world, cats and birds are the biggest mismatch. What eats birds silently and efficiently? Cats.

2. Cooper’s & Sharp-shinned Hawks – Bird Hunting Specialists at Bird Feeders

What eats birds in broad daylight? Accipiter hawks. These bird predators master bird hunting through trees and around bird feeders.

In the predator prey relationship, Cooper’s hawks target small birds almost exclusively. What animals eat birds mid-flight? Only these agile bird predators.

2025 Cornell data: Hawks cause millions of deaths yearly, especially where bird feeders attract small birds.

Tip: Remove low perches near bird feeders – cuts bird hunting success dramatically.

3. Great Horned Owls & Other Owls – Silent Night Bird Predators

What eats birds while they sleep? Owls. These nocturnal bird predators strike without warning in the classic predator and prey dance.

What animals eat birds whole? Owls swallow small birds entirely. Bird hunting at night shifts the predator prey relationship entirely.

What eats birds after dark? Great Horned Owls are responsible for millions of small birds lost each year.

4. Rat Snakes, Black Snakes – Silent Nest Destroyers

What eats birds in nests? Snakes top the list. Climbing snakes devour eggs and chicks – devastating small birds before they fledge.

Bird predators like rat snakes exploit the predator prey relationship perfectly, swallowing young birds whole. Climbers raid high nests, swallowing eggs whole or constricting fledglings. A single snake can devour a clutch in hours.

5. Raccoons – Opportunistic Night Raiders

What eats birds and eggs after dark? Raccoons. These masked bird predators raid nests and scatter small birds at ground bird feeders.

Cats and birds aren’t the only issue – raccoons love bird hunting too.

6. Red & Gray Foxes – Stealth Ground Hunters

What animals eat birds on the ground? Foxes pounce with lethal precision. Bird feeders spilling seed create perfect bird hunting zones for these bird predators.

7. Squirrels – Surprise Egg & Chick Thieves

What eats birds you’d never expect? Squirrels. Gray squirrels raid up to 50% of songbird nests in some areas, making them surprising bird predators.

Bird feeders attract squirrels, indirectly increasing danger for small birds.

8. Opossums – Nocturnal Opportunists

What eats birds when you’re asleep? Opossums climb trees and devour eggs, chicks, or injured small birds.

Another classic predator prey relationship few people consider.

9. Eagles, Falcons & Large Raptors

What eats birds from above? Golden eagles and peregrine falcons – apex bird predators in open areas.

Predator prey relationship at its most dramatic when these giants target small birds and even larger species.

10. Crows, Jays, Magpies & Even Some Songbirds

What eats birds that’s another bird? Corvids. They raid nests aggressively in surprising predator and prey twists among bird predators themselves.

Bulletproof Ways to Protect Birds in 2026:

1. Install Predator-Proof Feeders: Squirrel baffles and caged designs block mammals and raptors.
2. Plant Dense Cover: Thorny shrubs like holly create escape zones—birds spot predators from afar.
3. Use Motion-Activated Sprinklers: Deter ground hunters like cats without harm.
4. Elevate Nest Boxes: Metal poles with cones prevent snake climbs.
5. Limit Night Feeding: Remove seeds at dusk to starve raccoons.
6. Go Cat-Free(ish): Bell collars or indoor-only policies save lives.
7. Clean Up Attractants: Secure trash; no open compost for foxes.
8. Add Owl Decoys: Scare raptors—rotate spots weekly for effectiveness.
9. Monitor with Trail Cams: 2025 models with AI alerts spot threats early (affordable under $50).
10. Join Citizen Science: Report sightings via eBird—helps track 2025 predator shifts from climate change.

Free 2026 “What Eats Birds Protection Toolkit”

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• Printable bird predators identification guide
• Cat-proof & hawk-proof bird feeder placement map
• 30-day small birds safety challenge calendar

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What eats birds in YOUR yard most often? Visit www.birdielearning.com for more such fun articles!