The consumption of plant matter is particularly common during the fall when fruits and berries are in abundance. This includes fruits, berries, grasses, and seeds. They are actually omnivores, consuming a significant amount of plant matter in their diet. Fruits and VegetationĬontrary to popular belief, coyotes are not strictly carnivorous.

Despite their importance, the consumption of insects and invertebrates is often overlooked. They are especially important during the spring and summer months when insect activity is at its peak.ĭuring these times, insects can form a significant part of their diet. Insects and invertebrates are abundant in most habitats, making them a readily available food source. These include a variety of bugs, worms, and other creepy crawlies that they dig up from the ground. They provide essential proteins and are particularly important for pups during their early stages of development. Insects and invertebrates, while not the most glamorous part of this menu, play a crucial role in their nutrition. The consumption of birds is often opportunistic and depends on factors such as the availability of bird nests or the presence of water bodies that attract waterfowl. However, it’s important to note that birds do not form a significant part of their diet compared to small mammals. Their opportunistic nature and adaptability make them effective bird predators, capable of exploiting a variety of avian food sources. They are also agile climbers, capable of scaling trees to reach bird nests. They are known to be excellent swimmers, which allows them to prey on waterfowl and their eggs. This includes bird eggs, chicks, and even adult birds if they can catch them. Coyotes are opportunistic predators, and they will not hesitate to take advantage of an easy meal. Birdsīirds, particularly ground-nesting birds and waterfowl, also form a part of this diet. For instance, in areas where small mammals are less abundant, coyotes may rely more heavily on other food sources such as birds, insects, or carrion. While small mammals are a crucial part of their diet, their consumption patterns can vary based on factors such as location, season, and availability of other food sources.

They are known for their stealth and agility, able to pounce on small mammals with remarkable accuracy. These predators are skilled hunters, using their keen senses of sight, smell, and hearing to locate and catch their prey. These animals are abundant in many of the habitats where coyotes live, making them a reliable food source.

Small mammals include a variety of rodents such as mice, rats, and squirrels, as well as larger mammals like rabbits and hares. This adaptability, however, can also lead to conflicts with humans, especially when their search for food brings them into urban and suburban areas. Their eating habits are the reason they are one of the most successful predators in North America. This diverse menu showcases the coyote’s ability to survive and thrive in various environments, making the most of whatever food sources are available. They are also known to eat carrion, cleaning up the remains of animals that have died due to other causes. Their diet primarily consists of small mammals, but they also consume birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and a surprising amount of plant matter. This adaptability has allowed them to thrive in a range of habitats, from rural to urban, and across different climates and seasons. They are true omnivores, consuming a wide variety of food items based on what’s available in their environment. These species are known for their diverse and adaptable diets.

Coyote natural predators