Do Birds Eat Cantaloupe Seeds?

Mourning doves will eat cantaloupe seeds.

Some birds do eat cantaloupe seeds, including mourning doves. They have been known to break into rotting or soft cantaloupes for the seeds. Many pet parrots such as the eclectus parrot eat cantaloupe seeds and fresh cantaloupe.

Types

Wild birds that enjoy cantaloupe seeds include catbirds, nuthatches, blue jays, cardinals, chickadees and mourning doves. Wild birds that eat cantaloupe seeds also like other melon seeds such as watermelon, pumpkin or squash.

Preparation

Wash all of the pulp off cantaloupe seeds with water. Serve immediately. To make more cantaloupe seeds for later, place washed seeds on a layer of newspaper and place in a sunny area for them to dry for about 48 hours. Store in an airtight container.

Warning

Only give cantaloupe seeds to pet birds as a treat. They should not make up the pet bird's entire diet. Seeds, including cantaloupe seeds, are too low in nutrition in order to keep a bird healthy.

References

• Cooperative Living: Feathered Friends: The Mourning Dove
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources: "Habichat Newsletter" -- Summer 2004
• "Eclectus Parrots: Everything About Purchase, Care, Feeding, and Housing"; Katy McElroy and Michele Earle-Bridges; 2002
• "The Real Macaw Newsletter": Treat the Birds to a Holiday Feast

Resources

• Bird Watcher's Digest: Weird Things to Feed Birds
• Pet Education: Bird Nutrition: Feeding Pet Birds