This post may contain affiliate links.
Watching birds gather around a feeder is one of the simplest ways to enjoy wildlife in your own backyard. Feeding them can give birds an extra source of food, especially during harsh weather or times when natural food is scarce. Still, what you put in the feeder matters just as much as putting food out in the first place.
Many everyday foods that seem harmless can actually make birds sick, attract unwanted pests, or offer little nutritional value. A few are even toxic. If you want to keep your backyard visitors healthy, avoid these foods the next time you refill your bird feeder.
Baked Goods
Bread has long been considered a go-to food for birds, but it’s far from a healthy choice. Bread, crackers, pastries, cakes, and other baked goods fill birds up without providing the nutrients they need.
Leftover baked goods also spoil quickly, encouraging mold growth that can be dangerous to birds. They also attract rats, mice, and other unwanted visitors to your yard.
Related: 15 Beautiful Red Birds Every Backyard Bird Lover Should Know
Spoiled or Moldy Food
It may seem like a good way to avoid waste, but spoiled food should never be tossed outside for birds. Mold produces toxins that can cause serious illness and, in some cases, be fatal.
If food has gone bad, throw it away instead of placing it in a feeder.
Dairy Products
Most birds cannot properly digest lactose, making milk, yogurt, cream, and soft cheeses poor choices.
Small pieces of hard cheese can occasionally be offered to some bird species, but dairy products should never become a regular part of their diet.
Salty Foods
Birds need very little sodium. Foods loaded with salt can upset their body’s natural balance and lead to dehydration.
Keep potato chips, salted popcorn, pretzels, salted nuts, and other salty snacks out of your bird feeder.
Chocolate
Chocolate is dangerous for birds. It contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which can affect a bird’s heart and nervous system.
Even a small amount can be harmful, so chocolate should always stay off the menu.
Whole Nuts
Many birds enjoy peanuts, walnuts, pecans, and other nuts because they’re packed with healthy fats and protein. The problem comes with offering them whole.
Small birds can struggle with large nuts, creating a choking hazard. Chopped or crushed nuts are a much safer choice.
Certain Fruits
Many fruits are perfectly safe for birds, including berries, grapes, apples, and pears. Still, a few require extra care.
Remove pits and large seeds from fruits like peaches, cherries, plums, and apricots before offering them. Citrus fruits are also best avoided, since many backyard birds show little interest in them and they can upset the stomachs of some species.
Dried Foods
Dry foods that expand after absorbing moisture can create digestive problems.
Avoid offering uncooked rice, dried lentils, split peas, dried beans, desiccated coconut, or dry pet food. These foods can swell after birds eat them, making digestion difficult.
Avocado
Avocados contain persin, a natural compound that is toxic to many birds.
The flesh, skin, leaves, and pit can all be dangerous, so it’s safest to keep avocado scraps away from wildlife completely.
Sugary and Processed Foods
Cookies, candy, donuts, marshmallows, and other sugary treats may taste good to people, but they offer birds little more than empty calories.
Foods containing artificial sweeteners or large amounts of added sugar should never be placed in a feeder. Honey should also be avoided because it can encourage harmful fungal growth.
Sticky Foods
Sticky foods can create problems that go beyond poor nutrition. They can stick to a bird’s beak, interfere with feeding, or cling to feathers and reduce their ability to stay clean and insulated.
Avoid placing marshmallows, cooked oatmeal, sticky candy, or large globs of peanut butter in your feeder. If you offer peanut butter, spread only a very thin layer or mix it with seeds or cornmeal so birds can eat it safely.
How to Feed Wild Birds Safely
Feeding birds is most helpful when you keep their health in mind.
- Place feeders where birds have a clear view of predators and easy escape routes.
- Wash feeders regularly to prevent mold, bacteria, and the spread of disease.
- Keep a source of fresh, clean water nearby for drinking and bathing.
- If your feeder gets crowded, add another feeder in a different part of the yard to reduce competition.
- Offer foods that match the season, such as high-fat seeds during winter and a wider variety of seeds and fruit during spring and summer.
A little extra care goes a long way. Choosing safe, nutritious foods helps keep backyard birds healthy and gives you the chance to enjoy their visits throughout the year.
