What Birds Are Natural Enemies of Blackflies?

Black Headed Grosbeaks and Purple Martins

• Black headed grosbeaks eat flies and other insects. This species of bird generally lives in a wooded deciduous area, and can often be found nesting around streams. Black headed grosbeaks are also gleaners, which means they prey on insects off of trees and branches. They can be attracted using bird feeders. Purple martins are another bird species which eats flies. Purple martins nest in cavities such as a hole in a tree or a birdhouse, and often live close to neighborhoods. Purple martins especially live in areas with open spaces and bodies of water.

White Crowned Sparrows and White Throated Sparrows

• White crowned sparrows eat flies, other insects, berries, seeds and crops. White crowned sparrows live in shrubby habitats, and often nest on the outskirts of a forest. White throated sparrows eat flies, fruits and buds from trees. They tend to live in wooded areas, and during summer are likely to be found in Canada, the northeastern United States and the northern areas of the Midwest.

Ruby Crowned Kinglet and Swallows

• Ruby crowned kinglets eat flies, crawling insects, fruit and seeds. Ruby crowned kinglets are often found in the forests of Canada and the northwestern United States. They prefer nesting in the tops of very tall trees, so they are more likely to be found in older forests. Several breeds of swallows, including tree swallows, bank swallows and barn swallows are notoriously known for eating flies and other flying insects primarily.

Hummingbirds

• Some hummingbirds also eat flies. The lucifer hummingbird, ruby throated hummingbird, black chinned hummingbird, Anna's hummingbird, broad tailed hummingbird, rufous hummingbird and the Allen's hummingbird all catch and eat flies during flight. Hummingbirds can be attracted to most backyards across the United States with hummingbird feeders filled with synthetic nectar.