Cicada's this year in my area

[flyin-lowe]

My little part of the world is due for the 17 year Cicada cycle. 17 years ago I was just getting started with martins and had some SY's here and there but did not have an established colony yet. I know some of them can be pretty large so I assume they won't feed them to real young hatchlings but I assume martins will thrive this year with the cicadas being available. The first year I was old enough to remember them was 1986. I was in elementary school and we took a field trip to the Cincinnati zoo. They had them thick and the trees at the zoo were completely covered with them when we were there. You could not see the trunk of some of the trees, they were completely covered. Plus it wasn't uncommon for them to fly right onto you, the girls were terrifeid because they would get caught up in their hair. We don't have them quite that bad where I live but there are areas where they are thick. I remember the next time after that I did a lot of fishing. The cicadas were thick on the trees near the bank and would drop into the water. The fish quickly learned and it made for some great top water fishing. As soon as anything hit the water you would get a strike.

[Conrad Baker]

I thought the Cicadas were too large for the Martins to eat. Unless the juvenile Cicadas are more tender and easier to eat. I personally haven't seem too many of them at least in the numbers you experience, but have heard them during their "season". It's a sound that wears on you quickly, and starts to become an aggravation and distraction.

[Dave Reynolds]

.. flyin-lowe .. Ours came in 2016 in our area. So it will be a few more years for us here in Southeastern, Ohio.. (2033).. I always wondered if the Martins would eat them. They seem to be a little big for a Martin chick, but the adults could handle one, if they set on the porch and work at it.... I don't think they could eat one on the fly..

Dave

[ToyinPA]

Some adults do try to feed them to their chicks. I have removed a few that were stuck in chicks throats. The same goes with the Great Black Wasp. They have big pincers & latch on to the chicks beak, tongue & throat. I'd suggest if you have the cicadas in your area do more frequent nest checks.

Toy in PA

[TheSmiths]

PMCA video from 2015. Cicada at the 1:17 mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOcZkGIv3Ic

Edit: Added screenshot for those who may be unable to view video.

[Hanover Bill]

Two years ago when we had our outbreak I froze about three coffee cans full of them and used them to supplemental feed the following spring. Worked out great, the Martins loved them, saved me money, and just maybe I cut down on the future outbreaks.

If you are due for an outbreak this summer, and you normally do some supplemental feeding in the spring, I would recommend freezing a bunch of them for use in the spring.

Of course I am talking about feeding them to adult birds, not sure about feeding them to fledges.

Hanover Bill.

[Matt F.]

[duplicate post]

[Matt F.]

We only have the Dog-day Cicadas here in southeast Texas (2-5 year lifecycle - different from the 17-year variants), but one thing is for certain - based on how eager all animals seem to be to catch and eat them (dogs, cats, birds, etc.) I'm convinced they must taste like candy to animals.

[TheSmiths]

Hanover Bill, good idea. Definitely more cost effective than crickets.