WORM-EATING BIRDS

A few species of birds specialize in eating worms, while many other species join in occasionally.

American Robin

on grass eating worm

American Robin      Turdus migratorius

USA; Illinois, Chicago

American Robin

beak full of earthworms

American Robin      Turdus migratorius

USA; Illinois, Chicago, Lincoln Park, North Pond

American Robin

beak full of earthworms

American Robin      Turdus migratorius

USA; Illinois, Chicago, Lincoln Park, North Pond

American Robin

worm, cranefly, spider and insect larvae in beak

American Robin      Turdus migratorius

USA; Pennsylvania, Dashields Dam

American Woodcock

close-up of bill with earthworm

American Woodcock      Scolopax minor

USA; New Jersey, Cape May Co.

Black-bellied Plover

transitioning to alternate; pulling worm from mud

Black-bellied Plover      Pluvialis squatarola

USA; Florida, Fort DeSoto

Black-tailed Godwit

pulling worm from mud

Black-tailed Godwit      Limosa limosa

Hong Kong, Mai Po Nature Reserve

Clapper Rail

eating worm on mud flat

Clapper Rail      Rallus longirostris

USA; New Jersey, Delaware Bay

Eastern Screech-Owl

entering nest cavity with worm, three chicks visible

Eastern Screech-Owl      Megascops asio

Eurasian Blackbird

on lawn, eating worm

Eurasian Blackbird      Turdus merula

United Kingdom, Merseyside

Killdeer

pulling worm from ground

Killdeer      Charadrius vociferus

USA; New York, Central Park

Malayan Night Heron

alternate (breeding) plumage, with large earthworm

Malayan Night Heron      Gorsachius melanolophus

Hong Kong, New Territories

Marbled Godwit

eating huge worm

Marbled Godwit      Limosa fedoa

USA; Florida, Fort DeSoto

Rufous-breasted Antthrush

eating a worm

Rufous-breasted Antthrush      Formicarius rufipectus

Semipalmated Plover

pulling worm from mud flat

Semipalmated Plover      Charadrius semipalmatus

USA; New Jersey, Heislerville Wildlife Management Area, Cumberland Co.

Semipalmated Plover

with large worm on mud flat

Semipalmated Plover      Charadrius semipalmatus

USA; New Jersey, Heislerville Wildlife Management Area, Cumberland Co.

Short-billed Dowitcher

with marine worm

Short-billed Dowitcher      Limnodromus griseus

USA; Florida, Fort DeSoto Park, Pinellas Co.

Sora

pulling worm out of ground

Sora      Porzana carolina

USA; Illinois, Chicago, Montrose Beach