What Kind of Birds Eat Earthworms?

American Robin

• Robins are experts at hunting earthworms, and they have the ability to find them even when they are underground. As soon as the ground begins to thaw, they effortlessly pick out the earthworms and feed on them. The American Robin belongs to the bluebird and thrush family. It's called the American robin, named after a similar, smaller bird in Great Britain. The bird has a red and orange breast and belly, gray-brown back feathers, and a white throat. While the adult robins generally eat earthworms only to supplement their diet of berries, the females prefer to consume earthworms.

American Woodcock

• The American woodcock searches on the ground to hunt for prey. When the bird walks around with heavy steps, it disturbs the worms' habitat and forces the earthworms to move around. This is when the woodcock spots the worms and goes in for the kill. The bird has a long bill with a flexible tip that gives it easy access to the worms' hiding places and helps it hunt with minimal effort. The woodcock is a small, compact bird, which is grayish-brown in color. This feature is an added advantage for hunting since the woodcock is easily camouflaged by its surroundings. These birds generally live to around 8 years old.

Worm-Eating Warbler

• The worm-eating warbler only sometimes consumes earthworms. Its primary source of food is caterpillars. The bird forages through the dead leaves in trees for food, typically in the chestnut oak. The worm-eating warblers are found in hilly areas and are considered to be an endangered species. They are generally found in Alabama, Georgia and the Appalachian states.