They raid wasp nests for larvae and pupae. How adorable is that?
Yesterday morning I spent some time on my old unused and unmaintained wooden deck on the side of my house in an attempt to photograph hummingbirds at my Trumpet Vine. I had no luck with hummers but I documented an unexpected behavior of a Black-capped Chickadee.
The chickadee landed on my deck railing but “he” was only there for a moment before he made a beeline (waspline?) for…
a small wasp nest that I hadn’t noticed that was hanging from a horizontal railing on my old deck gate. He’d obviously been there before, I’m sure of it.
Here he’s pulling one of the wasp larvae out from one of the cells.
He turned and paused for long enough for me to get this single sharp photo of him with his prize, and then he was gone.
A tightly cropped version of the same photo for better detail. In the reflection in the bird’s eye, we can see the sun coming up through my neighbor’s trees.
I believe the chickadee deliberately timed his visit to the nest when no wasps were there. But it didn’t take long for…
one of them to show up. Here the wasp is inspecting the damage.
Then the wasp scurried about as if she was looking for whoever or whatever raided her nest. Wasp revenge in the making.
I believe this is a European Paper Wasp, an invasive species that first arrived in North America near Boston in the late 1970’s. Since then they’ve spread rapidly across the U.S. and parts of Canada. So I’ll destroy this nest in a day or two, after both the chickadee and this photographer have had more opportunities with it.
And before any remaining larvae pupate and then become adults. I don’t want any more wasps, especially invasive ones, hanging around my yard, patio and vegetable garden.
Ron
What an interesting post! I had no idea the Chickadees would raid a wasp nest. I have never seen them do this in my yard. This year I have seen more wasps than ever before and I watched one scanning my Passion Vine very slowly and going deep into the vine looking for its next meal. Those bastards have no doubt killed off my caterpillars (Monarchs and Gulf Fritillary) which should be at least a hundred. I was debating whether to intervene with nature and get a wasp trap…I would rather have Monarchs than wasps!!
Just saw this. Wonderful capture of a chickadee raiding a wasp’s nest to feed its young. A heart-warming tale.
Yet ANOTHER reason why birds are so important. And should be protected and encouraged.
Great photos too.
Thanks, EC.
Yet another reason to admire chickadees! They know who is the coolest bird photographer (with the tastiest wasp grubs). 😉 I’m a bit envious as I have to pay to get my wasp nests removed from the upper eaves.
I’ve spent several days during the past few weeks up at my old music camp helping to get ready for opening and have been treated to many Mountain Chickadee sightings. The chickadees are extremely curious about the influx of people and all the activity. They’re so much fun to watch as they’re watching us. 😀
Marty, I haven’t photographed, or even seen, a Mountain Chickadee in quite a while. I was thinking about that just this morning.
Wish I could teleport you over here and then take you up to camp and over to all the nearby wetlands. 🙂
Oh man! These unplanned pics are precious and priceless…all we gotta do is pay attention, right?
That’s right, Susan. Close attention.
Amazing, Ron! Thank you!
A couple years ago I had a chickadee family in an old apple stump outside the kitchen window. The hole must have been 6-7 inches deep, and it was fascinating to watch the parents constantly scooting in and out with things in their beaks for the babies. Their prey often looked like your photo, and I do have yellow jackets/wasps, so maybe I was getting free wasp control. Three babies fledged – so neat to watch them come out of the hole, flop down to the ground, then make their way about 45 feet across the yard to a spruce tree, then up the spruce trunk to the branches. What an afternoon! I’ve reliably had chickadees in the yard year round, but they seem to be absent this summer. I hope it’s not a permanent vacation for them.
Thanks, Carolyn. That must have been fun.
VERY interesting. Send me a bunch of those helpful feathered friends.. I had no idea birds would feast at these hives. THANKS!
They’re on their way, Judy! I sent them… air mail.
Nice images and documentation. Yes I have watched this along with house sparrows eating them. Growing up I watched the house sparrows go after the small wasp paper nests along the eves of my parent’s house. We use to have so many paper and mud wasp nest on the house, granary and stable where I hung out. Not so much any more. The chickadees will also eat my praying mantis eggs sacks foamy stuff and all. I leave my wasp nests be but not the yellow jackets. I have found most paper wasp pretty calm.
I have a family of chickadees this morning with three fledglings in the yard. They are eating the nut and bug log like it’s candy. They also like the ripe cherries. The parents are trying to encourage them to get the food themselves and the three are begging loudly chasing the parents.
Thanks, April. I envy you your chickadee family. I only see the occasional adult.
Wow. Did not know they did that. Agree, and very good reason to love Chickadees! Love the second and third photos.
Thanks, Michael.
A great capture of pest control. Another reason to love the Black-capped chickadees! I haven’t seen any here since my move to California.
Thanks, Brett. I hope you’re enjoying your new home. I’ve heard that you are.
Interesting! Wasp/hornet nests we get here aren’t that accessible! Glad the chickadee was able to profit off that situation and notify you to the presence of the nest! Last year I had some Bald Headed hornets trying to build nests under the eves of the house which I put a stop to pronto! They ARE nasty bastards!
Coon has not returned so far! 😉
Thanks, Judy. I’ve heard that Bald-headed (Bald-faced?) Hornets are very aggressive, but I don’t have any experience with them.
Also called Bald-faced…… They’re hell on bee hives in the fall when they get hungry besided being large and just flat nasty….
A wonderful post Ron. I too learned something from this wonderful post. Thanks for continuing to share your art and info with us.
Thanks very much, Rick.
I had no idea that chickadees, or any species of bird, for that matter,
would treat a wasp nest as a smorgasbord……so interesting, and
especially to know that it’s crafty enough to wait around until the “coast is clear”before sitting down to the table ! It’s a rare post of
Feathered Photography in which I DON’T learn something interesting.
Thanks for this morning’s “treat”……
Thank you, Kris. I was surprised too.