What Can Wild Birds Eat?

what can wild birds eat

You might wonder what can wild birds eat. Here are some suggestions. Mealworms, Grape jelly, peanuts, and even a piece of pastry. These are all very tasty, so don’t hesitate to offer them to your birds! Hopefully these ideas will get your backyard flock eating more healthy and tastier foods. Listed below are some of the most popular items that wild birds love to snack on.

Chewy Online Pet Supplies


35% Off at Chewy.com

+ Free Shipping

Save Now

Contents

Pastry

In winter, many wild birds will gorge on bits of baked or uncooked Christmas pastry. They also enjoy other sources of animal fat, such as butter and cream. If you want to provide your backyard birds with a subsidized diet, you can also provide them with jelly. Make sure to buy jelly that contains no sugars or other additives. Otherwise, the sugar is toxic to birds. However, you can also provide them with leftover dog or cat food.

Eggs

Most people assume that chickens and ducks are the only types of wild birds that eat eggs, but that isn’t the case. A wide variety of birds also eat eggs, including peacocks, emu, gulls, and common fowl, among others. Here are some of the most common types of wild bird eggs:

Grape jelly

Many birds love to eat grape jelly. Woodpeckers, for instance, are omnivores and will happily peck at a jar of grape jelly for hours. But there are some things to keep in mind before feeding your birds grape jelly. You don’t want to attract hornets, but if you don’t want to get into trouble, don’t feed them large amounts of the stuff.

Peanuts

If you’re wondering what can wild birds eat, consider these tips. While peanuts aren’t a particularly tasty snack for humans, the common garden bird loves them. Here are some examples of species that love peanuts. These critters also enjoy sunflower seeds and other nuts. Nuts, peanut butter, and shelled peanuts are common fare for camp robbers. You can also try roasting peanuts to give them a treat.

Seeds

Wild birds will eat a variety of seeds. Some are easier for birds to crack than others. Sunflower seeds are a good choice for beginners. Sunflower seeds contain a high amount of oil, which gives them the energy they need to survive the winter. The thin shells make them easy to open for smaller birds. Cardinals, nuthatches, finches, and chickadees will enjoy black oil sunflower.

Pastry balls

You can subsidize the diet of your garden birds by offering them cooked pastry balls. These treats are a great source of carbs and fat, and are often delicious for both people and wildlife. Wild birds will happily eat both cooked and uncooked versions. Ensure you serve the bird food with plenty of water. If you have leftover pastry, you can also give it to your birds as a snack.

Rice

There are many types of rice that are available to birds, but only the plain variety is safe for them. Birds will not eat rice that contains preservatives or seasonings, so it is best to stick with plain white rice. You can also try a different type of rice, such as jasmine or sticky rice, but remember to keep the amount small and unseasoned. If you’re not sure which kind to buy, try experimenting with different varieties of rice until you find one your birds love.