Massachusetts Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Exam

Which group of birds is known for feeding on insects while in flight?

1. Woodpeckers and flickers

2. Robins and wood thrushes

3. Swifts and swallows

4. Egrets and ibises

The correct answer is: Swifts and swallows

The group of birds known for feeding on insects while in flight is swifts and swallows. These birds are adapted for aerial feeding, exhibiting special flight patterns that allow them to catch insects mid-air. Their slender bodies and long wings enable them to maneuver quickly and efficiently, making them skilled at catching flying insects, which comprise a significant portion of their diet. Swifts and swallows typically hunt in open areas where insect abundance is high, utilizing their rapid flying abilities to capture prey. This behavior is particularly beneficial during warmer months when insects are most active. In contrast, woodpeckers and flickers primarily forage on tree trunks and branches for insects and larvae found within the bark or wood, making them less reliant on catching insects while flying. Robins and wood thrushes tend to forage by walking on the ground or in low shrubbery, searching for insects as well as fruits. Egrets and ibises feed primarily by wading in water to catch fish and other aquatic animals, not insects in flight. Therefore, swifts and swallows distinctly stand out as the group that has adapted to capturing insects while in flight.