Can Wild Birds Eat Human Foods?

Most bird feeders are made for commercial bird seed but, although most human food is unhealthy for birds, there may be other treats in your pantry that will attract wild varieties safely. Fall is the best time to fill the outdoor feeders because birds are storing food for the winter months. Winter is also good to feed birds in search of whatever morsels or crumbs they may find.

Beef Suet

Suet is raw fat. It might not sound like a suitable meal for a bird but it actually makes for a simple substitute for insects. Insectivorous birds, such as woodpeckers, are attracted to beef suet. During the fall, grounds are covered with leaves, rain and snow and insects are harder to find. A feeder with suet will become especially appetizing to insectivores at this time. Mix suet and bird seed and shape into big blocks for easy pickings.

Apples and Oranges

Apples are a sweet, colorful treat for birds

Brightly colored fruits, such as oranges and apples, attract a variety of birds by their colors alone. Trashers, robins and orioles are just a few of the flying fellows that would enjoy these fruits from a feeder. Make it easier on them by placing pieces on a skewer attached to a feeder.

Raisins

Raisins are nature's candy for humans and birds love them too. Soak them in water before feeding to soften them and then mix them with suet or bird feed for a tasty bird snack. Thrushes, redwings, blackbirds, starlings and fieldfares all enjoy raisins. Be careful, as some uninvited guests may arrive, such as squirrels or hedgehogs.

Sunflower Seeds

Black-oil sunflower seeds are birds' favorite

Sunflower seeds are not only popular with baseball fans, but shelled and unshelled alike are great for bird feeding. Black-oil sunflower seeds are the most popular among feathered species, especially cardinals. These red flyers will use their beak to shell the seeds, spitting out the hull and swallowing the seed in a matter of seconds. Birds prefer black-oil sunflower seeds because the shells are easier to crack. I's not only cardinals who will enjoy them; almost any bird who comes to visit your feeder will enjoy these snacks. Just remember, humans may like them salted but birds prefer unsalted.

Peanuts

Another baseball favorite, the peanut, also makes a popular filler for bird feeders. But, unlike the sunflower seed, birds need the unshelled variety. Birds of good size, like jay birds and woodpeckers, enjoy peanuts (dry-roasted and unsalted, preferably) almost as much as you do. Their high protein equals high energy for birds. Others who enjoy them are nuthatches, titmice, chickadees and even smaller birds like finches and cardinals.

Bread Crumbs

Bread is a nice filler, but add other items for more nutrtional value

Feeding ducks at the lake may be a popular scene in the movies, but it happens everyday. And, it's not just ducks that enjoy bread; creepers, pigeons, nuthatches, sparrows and starlings all enjoy bread that you might think is old or stale. It may seem convenient to feed birds your sandwich bread, but be sure to avoid breads that are basic white (such as Wonderbread). These breads contain sugar and no nutritional value for birds. Also, only feeding bread is not giving birds enough of what they need, which is fat and protein (especially in the winter). Instead, mix bread crumbs with bird seed or soak bread in melted suel. The combination is tasty and nutritional for birds.

References

• Wild Bird Seed & Food
• Food 4 Wild Birds
• Top 10 Foods for Winter Feeding

Resources

• Wild Bird Seed & Food