Powerful Birds That Hunt Snakes

HAWKS The large talons and quick speeds of a hawk allow for them to quickly and efficient pick off snakes. Hawks swoop down once they have spotted their meal and flap their wings to distract the snake before quickly grabbing it behind the head to carry it away.

OWLS Owls are not really picky and will eat anything, making snakes a welcome snack. Like Hawks, Owls have large talons and sharp beaks- perfect for digging into a snake. Owls also have incredible eyesight that makes spotting a snake a piece of cake. Even baby Owls will eat small snakes (like blind snakes).

CROWS Crows are known for being scavengers and eat both live and dead animals. Crows probably chow down on any dead snakes they can find, but they have also been known to eat live snakes. They aren’t large birds in comparison to some of the other snake eating birds on this list, so Crows tend to eat smaller snakes such as garter snakes. 

FALCONS Like other birds of prey on this list, Falcons also have been known to eat snakes. One Falcon in particular, the Laughing Falcon is notorious for eating snakes in it’s range in South and Central America. Laughing Falcons even eat highly venomous Coral Snakes.

EAGLES Eagles are known to eat and prey upon some pretty big and even dangerous animals. Many different types of Eagles eat snakes, and there are even several types of Eagles called Serpent or Snake Eagles that specialize in eating snakes.

ROADRUNNERS Roadrunners are famous for being in a certain cartoon trying to outsmart a certain coyote. But, aside from that, Roadrunners are also known to outsmart and prey on snakes. Not just any snakes, but Rattlesnakes!

HERONS Herons are water birds, so snakes don’t seem like the first choice for a meal. But, Herons are amazing hunters and have mastered eating water snakes like Water Moccasins or even snakes that may be found along the water’s edge.

CHICKENS Now, Chickens have a bad reputation for being stupid, poorly-coordinated birds mostly used for eating or their eggs. But they can also be effective hunters and are able to take down snakes.

DUCKS When you think of Ducks, you probably don’t think of them being cold-blooded killers. But Ducks have actually been known to eat snakes, including venomous snakes! Apparently, there are even certain breeds that are especially prone to eating snakes, like Muscovites that people recommend getting for those looking to deter snakes from their yards.

GEESE Of the domesticated birds, Geese are certainly known for their testy attitudes. Their attitude is probably what makes them such a fierce match for certain species of snakes, as Geese will slurp up smaller snakes like it is nothing. In Thailand, many people keep Geese for this specific reason.