Yes, wild birds can eat walnuts. Offer plain, raw, unsalted walnut pieces on a tray or platform feeder, in small amounts, and only while they are fresh. Many nut-eating birds take them readily, but salted, roasted-with-flavoring or moldy nuts can harm birds.
Which Birds Eat Walnuts
Birds that eat peanuts and acorns will usually try walnuts too. Chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, woodpeckers, jays and crows are the most common visitors, and some finches and sparrows will peck at crumbs. Small birds cannot crack a whole shell, so offer shelled pieces broken into bite-size bits.
How to Serve Walnuts Safely
- Choose plain nuts. Raw, unsalted and unflavored is best. Candied, salted, spiced or oil-roasted nuts are not safe.
- Chop them small. Crush shelled walnuts into pieces smaller than a pea for small songbirds.
- Use a tray or platform feeder. Pieces stay dry and easy to reach. Mix them with black oil sunflower seeds to give birds a varied meal.
- Offer small amounts. Put out only what birds will eat in a day or two, and toss anything that gets wet.
- Check freshness. Old nuts can grow mold, including types that produce toxins. If walnuts smell musty or look discolored, throw them away.
Walnuts From Your Own Tree
Fallen walnuts with the green husk still on can be moldy and messy. Remove husks, let the nuts dry, and crack them before offering the kernels. Wear gloves, because black walnut husks stain heavily. Keep nuts away from pets, since moldy walnuts can also make dogs sick.
Nuts Are a Supplement, Not a Whole Diet
Nuts are high in fat and protein, which birds love in cold weather, but they work best alongside seeds, suet and clean water. For more ideas, see what to feed wild birds besides seed and what to feed wild birds when out of seed.
Bottom Line
Raw, unsalted, fresh walnut pieces are a safe treat for many backyard birds. Serve them in small pieces on a tray feeder, keep them dry, and throw out any that look or smell moldy.
