Peanuts are a beloved wild bird food, as they contain protein, fibre and fat that provide essential nutrients during UK breeding season (February – August), when birds require extra energy to mate and care for their young.
Peanuts are an affordable, tasty food source that attracts many different wild birds to your garden – from tits to siskins! Not only are the nuts cheap and tasty, but they provide essential energy during both winter and breeding seasons!
Contents
1. Whole Peanuts
Peanuts are an essential food source for wild birds during breeding season (February-August) and nesting season, when they require extra energy to reproduce and care for their young.
One way to attract backyard birds to your garden is by providing them with a peanut feeder. Peanuts are an ideal food source as they contain protein and fat, giving them energy for activity throughout the day.
Some birds, such as blue jays, prefer peanuts in their shell. Other smaller birds like wrens and robins may prefer crushed peanuts.
Always ensure your feeders are kept clean to prevent flies from getting trapped in the feed. Furthermore, steer clear of peanuts that have been roasted in oil or salt as these can be toxic for some birds due to a natural toxin called aflatoxin which has been known to kill wild birds.
2. Crushed Peanuts
Crushed peanuts are an inexpensive, convenient way to provide more nuts to your wild bird feeder. Birds love them and they provide essential protein, fat, vitamins and minerals.
Many backyard birds, such as blue jays, squirrels, titmice, robins and sparrows, enjoy eating peanuts. Furthermore, they provide extra energy during cold winter months when other foods may be scarce.
Whole, shelled peanuts are popular with larger birds like jays and ravens. Wrens, robins, and finches will also eat them when chopped into smaller pieces for easier consumption.
Crushed peanuts can also be added to a suet dish for your bird to increase the fat content. Alternatively, they may be scattered on an outdoor feeding tray in your garden or backyard.
3. Peanut Butter
Peanuts are a favorite food of wild birds, but it’s essential that they use natural peanut butter with no added sugar or salt. Peanut butter provides essential nutrition for birds during winter months when they require extra calories to stay warm.
Another option is bark butter, a spreadable suet that can be spread onto tree bark or bird feeders. This high-fat food is easy to offer and relatively affordable.
Additionally, this food is low in salt and other preservatives.
Peanuts in their shell can be an attractive treat for large birds like crows and jays, as well as smaller species like chickadees and titmice. Not only do these attract larger species of bird, but they make for a fun backyard addition too!
4. Peanuts in the Shell
Peanuts in the shell are a favorite of many wild birds, such as Blue Jays and chickadees. They make an ideal addition to a feeder and can be offered year-round.
They’re also a favorite snack for small birds like robins and sparrows, who find them easier to consume than whole peanuts. You can safely offer them in a bird feeder where other animals aren’t present.
Another way to provide peanuts for birds is to incorporate them into a simple suet recipe for jays, woodpeckers and nuthatches. These provide them with essential proteins and fat that help fuel their high metabolisms.
Peanuts can spoil quickly in warm and humid climates, so it’s best not to give out too many at once. Furthermore, store them away in a dry place in order to maintain freshness for longer.
