by 7 Birds That Eat Ticks (with Pictures). In this post In this post, we’ll talk about the seven species of birds who love eating ticks, and the ways they accomplish this. Birds are naturally tick eaters who benefit in reducing the amount of these parasites that eat blood. Ticks carry disease-causing organisms that can affect both animals and people They also tend to stay in locations where there are lots of plants like fields, woods and bushy areas. They are difficult to eradicate using chemicals since they be resistant to a wide range of pesticides, and can live for long periods of time with no eating. However, birds have an alternative approach to ticks. They eat ticks. The birds can spot ticks on themselves, other animals or plants. In this way, they decrease the likelihood of getting sick from ticks, and benefit the ecosystem in removing insects.
1. Duck
Ducks are waterfowl belonging to the family of Anatidae and includes Swans and geese. Ducks eat the aquatic plant, seeds, insects, as well as other insects, such as ticks. Certain species of ducks, including the wood duck, mallard as well as teal, are categorize as dabbling ducks. They feed by placing their bill into water that is shallow and then filtering their food. Dabbling ducks could consume as much as 50 percent from their weight insects every day. This implies they could take in enough ticks.
2. Guineafowl
Guineafowl are gallinaceous bird species that originate from Africa However, they’ve been brought to other regions of the globe like those in United States. Guineafowl have a common ancestor with birds like turkeys and chickens, but possess distinct characteristics such as the crest of a helmet, naked neck and face, and feathers with spotted spots. Guineafowl are extremely omnivores and devour seeds, plants insects, fruits, worms or snails as well as smaller animal. They’re particularly fond of ticks and are known to seek them out in dense vegetation and tall grasses. The Guineafowl is able to eat as much as 5,400 ticks a year. This makes them among the best tick-predators.
3. Woodpecker birds devour ticks
Woodpeckers are birds which belong to the family of Picidae and include flickers and sapsuckers. Woodpeckers are famous for their capability to poke through wood with their powerful bills. They also use their tongues that are long to pull bugs and larvae out of the holes. Woodpeckers eat a wide variety of insects like caterpillars, ants, beetles or spiders. They also eat ticks. Woodpeckers are able to eat ticks which lurk in the tree’s bark or in the soil. They also benefit to control pests which could carry ticks including rodents.
4. Oxpecker
Oxpeckers are birds belonging to the family of Buphagidae comprised of two species, the red-billed oxpecker as well as the yellow-billed oxpecker. Oxpeckers are indigenous to Africa and can be observe perched upon the backs of big animals, like buffalo, cattle, giraffe, zebra, and rhino. They feed on ticks, as well as other parasites that can infest the hosts’ skins and fur. Oxpeckers may consume as much as 100 ticks a day in addition to removing any insects or tick larvae they discover. Oxpeckers are also able to inform their hosts about any threat by making alarming sounds.
5. Quail Bird
Quail are game birds that are small in size which belong to the family of Galliformes and include partridges, grouses, pheasants and chickens. Quails eat fruits, seeds, plants and insects as well as worms, worms as well as other animals of small size. Quail is among only a few species of bird that devour ticks as they search for bugs in thick plants and must stick their heads into many leaves or grass. Quail is able to eat as much as 60 percent of ticks who are trying to feed upon their own flocks or individuals per the day.
6. Chicken
Chickens are domesticated birds which are part of the family Galliformes. The chickens are raised to provide egg and meat across the globe. They are all-consuming and consume grains, plants, snails, insects, worms as well as slugs and other tiny animal. Chickens are also known to eat ticks they discover on their bodies as well as in their environments. They are able to remove as much as eighty percent of ticks an area that is infested, within two weeks. Chickens do not just offer tick removal but are also able to produce eggs, meat and fertiliser.
7. Turkey
Turkeys are huge game birds belonging to the family of Galliformes. They are indigenous to North America but have been domesticat and brought into other continents. Turkeys consume seeds, fruits, plants fruit, insects, small animals, worms and worms. Turkeys are enthusiastic food for ticks, and they will eat all ticks they see within their body, on their hosts or even the plants. They are able to consume up to 500 ticks a day and can dramatically reduce tick populations in a particular area.
Final Thoughts of 7 Birds That Love To Eat Ticks
Ticks pose a problem and are an ailment for human health as well as animals. They are able to transmit illnesses like Lyme illness, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Babesiosis. The chemical methods used to control ticks tend to be ineffective and harmful for the environment. This is why many are seeking natural solutions to manage ticks. One among the excellent ways to control ticks is with birds that consume ticks. The birds that consume ticks benefit decrease the danger of tick-borne illnesses as well as focus on providing a natural pest-control service. The birds which eat ticks are woodpeckers, ducks, guineafowl as well as oxpeckers, quail turkeys, and chickens. They feed on ticks by removing them from their bodies, their hosts or plants. Through eating ticks, the birds benefit to keep tick populations at bay and safeguard both their hosts and themselves from bites of ticks.
