When I was at a fast food restaurant once, I saw a woman feeding birds with some french fries (not a good idea…) I then asked myself how much of our foods can birds safely eat.
While in the wild birds have excellent instincts about food choices, our backyard visitors often find foods they wouldn’t naturally encounter. Whether feeding backyard birds or keeping your pet birds healthy, knowing safe foods is crucial. We’ll look at foods like tomatoes and quinoa and answer our big question. Can birds eat these?
Despite their reputation as fruit lovers, Birds often avoid yanking cherries. They’re instinctively wary of fruits that taste bad. Cherries can taste bitter or sour to birds, and for birds, this means it’s toxic. So, birds prefer sweeter fruits like berries over cherries. Cherries with bad taste –stay on the tree.
Good news for garden lovers. Birds can eat tomatoes, in fact, many species actually love them. But Tomatoes are a tricky choice for birds. The fruit itself is safe in small amounts, but you should avoid green tomatoes that are toxic because it contains solanine in it. It’s important to only give ripe tomatoes and avoid feeding them tomato plants.
Pro tip: If you’re trying to protect your garden tomatoes from birds, try hanging reflective tape nearby. It works better than those plastic owls that birds quickly figure out are fake!
Birds and nuts go together like seeds and sunshine, but not all are safe. Some nuts can be risky. Here’s what you need to know:
Just remember: no salted, flavored, or processed nuts.
A BIG NO. Avocado is toxic to birds. Humans might enjoy it, but birds should avoid it. Even small amounts can cause serious health issues. It contains Persin– this applies to all parts of the avocado, from flesh to skin.
It might sound strange, but this question comes up more often than you think! The answer is: Birds shouldn’t eat boogers. Not only is it unhygienic, but also there’s no nutritional value and they might catch a harmful bacteria or virus. Stick to proper bird food- your feathered friend will thank you!
Here’s some good news for health food fans: birds can safely eat quinoa! This protein-rich seed (yes it’s a seed) is safe for birds ( raw and cooked). Just make sure it’s plain –with no salt or oils.
Crackers might seem like a simple snack, but it’s not. Think of crackers as bird junk food– it’s empty of calories and often has a lot of salt, preservatives, and sugar. If you want to give crackers (maybe as a treat) use plain, unsalted ones and only give them a little bit. if you must share crackers, follow these rules:
Uncooked oatmeal is a great treat for birds, providing fiber and energy. Wild birds love oats in winter when they need more fuel. However, there are some important guidelines:
Knowing What to Offer and What to Avoid helps creat a safe feeding environment for birds While it’s tempting to share our human foods, remember that birds have specific nutritional needs.
Here’s a quick summary:
Safe Foods:
Avoid:
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