Did you know some birds are ‘vegetarian'? Here are 5 you can spot in India and what they eat

Indian Express

07-06-2025

It can be fascinating to find out that only two to three per cent of the bird species are herbivorous. According to Animal Spot, these 'vegetarian' birds have specialised beaks that let them tear and process plant matter, gut microbes to digest complex carbohydrates – all designed to allow them to feed on plants.
Their digestive systems, however, aren't very different from omnivores or carnivores. As per Animal Wised, the tongue adapts to the shape of the beak. In some cases, it is hard and fleshy, as seen in different parrot species. They lack teeth, so it is common for the food to pass directly to the digestive tract once ingested, making it an efficient way to process food in a short time. These birds also happen to lack a gallbladder, a common organ found in vertebrates.
Herbivorous birds can be grouped into several categories based on what they eat. Frugivores are fruit-eaters that help plants reproduce by dispersing seeds through their droppings. Granivores feed on grains and seeds, using strong beaks and gizzards to grind their food. Sapsuckers tap into trees to drink sap, gaining essential minerals, sugars, and water. Nectarivores have long, slender beaks designed to sip nectar from flowers, often pollinating them in the process. Finally, folivores consume leaves and have digestive systems similar to grazing animals like cows, allowing them to process fibrous plant material efficiently.
Swans: Regal and graceful, swans spend time both on land and water. They graze on grass and feed on aquatic vegetation near lakes and ponds.
Parrots: Belonging to the order Psittaciformes, many parrot species are granivores or frugivores. Their strong, curved beaks are ideal for cracking seeds and eating fruit.
Geese and ducks: While some geese occasionally eat insects, species like the swan goose (Anser cygnoides) feed almost exclusively on roots, seeds, and aquatic plants.
Pigeons and doves: Stocky-bodied with short beaks, most pigeons and doves are granivorous or frugivorous. In urban areas, many have adapted to scavenge human food but naturally prefer seeds and fruit.
Hummingbirds: Tiny, fast, and dazzlingly colourful, hummingbirds thrive on nectar. Their fine, needle-like beaks are perfect for reaching deep into flowers to feed.
The largest herbivorous bird to exist is the Common Ostrich, the largest bird alive today. And the smallest herbivorous bird happens to be the Bee Hummingbird, the smallest bird in the world.