Do Coyotes Eat Birds? Yes, Especially Nestlings and Ground-Nesters

Yes, coyotes do eat birds. As opportunistic omnivores, coyotes include birds in their varied diet, particularly ground-nesting species, fledglings, and eggs when accessible. This natural predatory behavior is part of their broader feeding pattern, which includes small mammals, fruits, insects, and carrion. A common longtail keyword variant reflecting this ecological relationship is 'do coyotes prey on birds in urban and rural habitats,' highlighting the adaptability of coyote diets across environments.

Dietary Habits of Coyotes: An Ecological Overview

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are highly adaptable predators native to North America. Their ability to thrive in diverse ecosystems—from deserts and forests to suburban neighborhoods—stems largely from their flexible diet. While small mammals like mice, voles, and rabbits form the bulk of their food intake, birds represent a significant secondary food source, especially during breeding seasons when nests are more abundant and vulnerable.

Bird predation by coyotes typically involves ground-dwelling or ground-nesting species such as quail, pheasants, meadowlarks, and waterfowl like ducks and geese. Nestlings and eggs are easier targets than adult birds capable of flight, making young birds especially susceptible. In rural agricultural zones, coyotes may scavenge poultry from poorly secured farms, further reinforcing the perception that they are major bird predators.

Types of Birds Commonly Eaten by Coyotes

The specific bird species consumed by coyotes depend heavily on geographic location, habitat type, and seasonal availability. Below is a breakdown of common avian prey:

Bird Type	Habitat	Vulnerability to Coyotes
California Quail	Grasslands, chaparral	High – nests on ground
Mallard Duck	Wetlands, ponds	Moderate – nests near water edges
Northern Bobwhite	Agricultural fields	High – ground nesting, slow-flying
Ring-necked Pheasant	Farmed areas, brushy fields	Moderate to high
Roadrunner	Desert regions	Low – fast runner, alert
Domestic Chickens	Backyard coops, farms	Very high if unsecured

This table illustrates how nesting behavior and mobility influence a bird’s risk level. Ground-nesting birds with limited escape mechanisms face greater threats compared to agile, tree-nesting species like songbirds or raptors.

How Coyotes Hunt Birds

Coyotes employ a mix of stealth, speed, and sensory acuity when hunting birds. Unlike specialized aerial hunters such as hawks or owls, coyotes rely on acute hearing and smell to locate nests hidden in tall grasses or under shrubs. They often patrol at dawn and dusk—crepuscular hours—when many birds are active and ambient noise is low, enhancing auditory detection.

In some cases, coyotes may not actively hunt adult birds but instead opportunistically consume injured individuals, roadkill, or abandoned eggs. Scavenging plays a notable role in their diet, particularly in winter months when live prey is scarce. However, direct predation does occur, especially when coyotes discover nests during foraging.

Urban vs. Rural Bird Predation Patterns

One frequently asked question is whether coyotes eat birds more frequently in cities than in wildlands. The answer depends on context. In rural areas, coyotes have access to larger populations of native ground-nesting birds and may play a regulatory role in controlling overabundant species. Here, bird predation is part of natural ecosystem dynamics.

In contrast, urban coyotes increasingly interact with human-associated birdlife. Suburban backyards often host bird feeders that attract songbirds, doves, and pigeons—potential indirect lures for coyotes. While coyotes rarely catch healthy flying birds, they may stalk beneath feeders waiting for weakened or sick individuals. More commonly, urban coyotes target free-ranging domestic fowl or nestlings in low-lying shrubbery.

A study conducted by the Urban Wildlife Institute in Chicago found that while only about 7% of urban coyote scat samples contained bird remains, nearly 15% included poultry feathers near residential zones, indicating localized impacts on backyard birds.

Seasonal Influence on Bird Consumption

Bird consumption by coyotes fluctuates seasonally. Spring and early summer see increased avian predation due to nesting activity. During these months, female birds incubate eggs for extended periods, reducing mobility and increasing visibility to predators. Fledglings hopping on the ground before mastering flight are also easy targets.

In fall and winter, bird consumption drops significantly as migratory species depart and resident birds become more vigilant. Coyotes shift toward alternative food sources such as berries, rodents, and human-discarded waste in populated areas. Nevertheless, persistent bird predation can occur where non-migratory game birds or domestic fowl remain available year-round.

Impact on Bird Populations and Conservation Concerns

A key concern among ornithologists and conservationists is whether coyote predation meaningfully affects bird population trends. For most widespread species, coyote predation constitutes a minor mortality factor compared to habitat loss, climate change, window collisions, and domestic cat predation.

However, in isolated ecosystems or for threatened ground-nesting birds—such as the greater sage-grouse in western rangelands—coyote predation can contribute to nesting failure, especially when compounded by other stressors like grazing pressure or fire suppression altering vegetation cover.

It's important to note that removing coyotes from an area rarely results in improved bird survival. In fact, studies show that apex predator removal can lead to mesopredator release—where smaller predators like raccoons, skunks, and foxes increase in number and exert even greater pressure on bird nests. Thus, maintaining balanced coyote populations often supports overall avian conservation goals.

Protecting Birds from Coyotes: Practical Tips for Landowners

If you're a homeowner, farmer, or land manager seeking to minimize coyote-related bird losses, consider these science-backed strategies:

• Secure poultry enclosures: Use welded-wire fencing buried at least 12 inches underground to prevent digging. Cover runs with netting or solid roofing to block access.
• Remove attractants: Avoid leaving pet food outdoors and clean up spilled birdseed regularly, as it draws rodents—which in turn attract coyotes.
• Use motion-activated deterrents: Install lights or sprinklers triggered by movement near coops or sensitive habitats.
• Preserve natural buffers: Maintain dense shrub layers around nesting areas to provide escape routes for birds while limiting coyote approach paths.
• Avoid feeding wildlife: Intentional feeding of coyotes or other animals encourages habituation and increases conflict risks.

These measures help reduce human-coyote conflicts without resorting to lethal control, which is often ineffective long-term and ecologically disruptive.

Common Misconceptions About Coyotes and Birds

Several myths persist about coyotes' relationship with birds. One widespread belief is that coyotes routinely climb trees to raid nests—an impossibility given their anatomy. Another misconception is that all bird disappearances are due to coyotes, when in reality domestic cats, corvids (like jays and crows), snakes, and even squirrels are far more frequent nest predators in residential areas.

Additionally, some assume that seeing a coyote near a bird feeder means it's hunting birds. More likely, the coyote is tracking rodents drawn to fallen seed. Understanding these distinctions helps foster coexistence and prevents unnecessary fear-driven actions.

Regional Differences in Coyote Diet and Behavior

Coyote diets vary regionally based on local ecology. In coastal California, for example, coyotes may consume seabird eggs along dunes. In Texas ranchlands, they might prey on ring-necked pheasants released for hunting. In northeastern forests, grouse and turkey poults may appear in scat analyses during spring.

Eastern coyotes, which often have partial wolf ancestry, tend to be larger and may take bigger prey, including young turkeys or even adult Canada geese during molting season when flightless. Western coyotes, generally smaller, focus more on rodents and insects but still exploit bird resources when feasible.

Researchers studying coyote scat across different states report bird matter in 5–20% of samples, depending on region and season. These data underscore the importance of localized observation when assessing coyote impact on avian communities.

Observing Coyote-Bird Interactions Safely

For birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts interested in observing coyote behavior, ethical guidelines apply. Never approach or feed coyotes. Use binoculars or telephoto lenses from a safe distance. Dawn and dusk in open fields or edge habitats offer the best viewing opportunities.

If you spot a coyote near a bird nest, refrain from intervening unless domestic animals are at risk. Natural predation is a vital ecological process. Documenting such events through photos or notes can contribute valuable citizen science data to platforms like iNaturalist or eBird.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do coyotes eat baby birds? Yes, coyotes readily consume nestlings and fledglings, especially those that have fallen from nests or are learning to fly.
• Can coyotes catch birds in flight? No, coyotes cannot catch birds mid-flight. They primarily eat grounded, injured, or young birds.
• Are backyard birds safe from coyotes? Most flying birds are safe, but ground-feeding birds or domestic fowl in unsecured coops may be at risk.
• Do coyotes eat dead birds? Yes, coyotes are scavengers and will eat carrion, including road-killed birds or discarded poultry.
• Should I scare a coyote away from my yard if it's near birds? If the coyote is not threatening pets or people, allow it to pass naturally. Persistent presence may indicate attractants—address those instead.