Predation of Dragonfly Nymphs by Passerines

Avian predation of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) is fairly well-documented, but most observations are restricted to non-passerine birds eating adult odonates. As nymphal odonates are aquatic, most passerine birds would not encounter them while foraging but instead are more likely to catch teneral adults on their maiden flights. Photographs taken by naturalists over the past several years suggest that passerine predation on odonate nymphs, while apparently rare, occurs across a wider range of species than previously documented.