Primary consumers: These are animals that eat plants. They include insects, such as caterpillars, beetles, and aphids; birds, such as songbirds, woodpeckers, and hummingbirds; and mammals, such as deer, squirrels, and rabbits.
Secondary consumers: These are animals that eat other animals. They include birds, such as hawks, owls, and eagles; reptiles, such as snakes and lizards; and mammals, such as foxes, coyotes, and bears.
Tertiary consumers: These are animals that eat both plants and animals. They include birds, such as crows and ravens; reptiles, such as turtles and alligators; and mammals, such as humans, raccoons, and skunks.
Omnivores: These are animals that eat both plants and animals. They include birds, such as blackbirds and starlings; reptiles, such as turtles and snakes; and mammals, such as bears, pigs, and humans.
Decomposers: These are organisms that break down dead plants and animals, returning their nutrients to the soil. They include bacteria, fungi, and worms.