Ever noticed those feathered visitors outside your window? Feeding wild birds can be a delightful way to connect with nature without leaving home.
Your kitchen actually holds many bird-friendly treats that are both nutritious and appealing to our winged friends. Before tossing out those leftovers, consider sharing some of these everyday foods with the birds in your backyard.
1. Apples – Sweet Treats For Beaks
Chopped into small, manageable pieces, apples offer birds natural sugar and important nutrients. Many species, especially robins and waxwings, eagerly gobble up these fruity morsels.
Remove any seeds first, as apple seeds contain traces of cyanide that could harm smaller birds. Leave the nutritious skin on for extra fiber that aids digestion.
2. Unsalted Nuts – Protein Packed Powerhouses
Raw, unsalted peanuts, walnuts, and almonds drive woodpeckers and jays wild with excitement. These nuts pack protein and healthy fats that birds especially need during colder months when energy demands soar.
Crush larger nuts for smaller birds like chickadees and titmice. Always avoid salted or flavored varieties that can disrupt birds’ delicate electrolyte balance.
3. Cooked Rice – Filling Grain Goodness
Contrary to wedding myths, rice won’t harm birds – they love it! Brown or white rice provides carbohydrates for quick energy, making it perfect for active species like sparrows and blackbirds.
Ensure it’s fully cooked and cooled before serving. Skip the seasonings and butter entirely. Leftover rice from dinner makes perfect breakfast for your backyard visitors the next morning.
4. Berries – Colorful Vitamin Bombs
Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries vanish quickly when offered to birds. These antioxidant-rich fruits mimic birds’ natural foraging foods and provide essential vitamins that boost immune function.
Fresh or slightly overripe berries work perfectly. Cut larger berries into bird-sized portions. Those slightly soft strawberries languishing in your fridge? Perfect bird snacks rather than compost fodder!
5. Oatmeal – Hearty Breakfast Option
Uncooked oats offer excellent nutrition similar to natural seeds birds would find in the wild. Rolled or quick oats work best since they’re easier for birds to digest than steel-cut varieties.
Sprinkle plain oats directly on the ground or mix with other bird foods. Skip flavored instant packets containing sugar and artificial ingredients that could harm your feathered friends.
6. Cheese – Calcium Rich Indulgence
Mild, grated cheese offers calcium and protein that helps birds maintain strong bones and healthy feathers. Sparrows, robins, and wrens particularly enjoy this dairy treat.
Stick with mild cheddar or mozzarella, avoiding strong-flavored or processed varieties. Offer in small amounts only occasionally, as cheese isn’t part of birds’ natural diet. Grate it finely to prevent choking hazards.
7. Cooked Pasta – Unexpected Bird Favorite
Plain cooked pasta cut into small pieces creates quite a feeding frenzy among backyard birds. The simple carbohydrates provide quick energy, especially welcome during cold weather or breeding season.
Cool completely before serving and skip the sauce entirely. Whole wheat varieties offer more nutrition than white pasta. This starchy treat works best as an occasional supplement rather than daily offering.
8. Pumpkin Seeds – Nutritional Goldmine
Save those seeds when carving pumpkins! Rinsed, dried, and unsalted pumpkin seeds contain healthy fats and proteins that larger birds like cardinals and grosbeaks adore.
Roast them lightly without salt or seasonings to enhance flavor. The natural shell provides birds with foraging entertainment as they work to extract the nutritious kernel inside. These seeds store well for months in an airtight container.
9. Dried Fruit – Winter Energy Source
Raisins, cranberries, and chopped dried apricots mimic natural winter food sources when fresh fruit is scarce. Their concentrated sugars provide crucial energy during cold months when birds burn more calories staying warm.
Soak overly dry pieces briefly to soften them for smaller species. Avoid commercially dried fruits containing added sulfites or sugar. Dried fruits attract colorful species like orioles and tanagers to your feeding area.
10. Mealworms – Protein Rich Delicacy
Store-bought dried mealworms might technically come from the pantry rather than being homemade, but they deserve mention as birds go absolutely crazy for them! These protein-packed treats attract insect-eating species like bluebirds and warblers.
Rehydrate dried mealworms by soaking briefly in warm water. Mix with other foods to introduce picky birds to new options. Consider them the bird equivalent of chocolate – irresistible to almost every species!
11. Cornmeal – Simple Staple Food
Sprinkle plain cornmeal on the ground or a flat feeder to attract a variety of ground-feeding birds. This pantry staple provides carbohydrates similar to the corn and grain birds naturally seek.
Use plain, unsweetened cornmeal without additives or salt. It works especially well for attracting doves, quail, and native sparrows. During wet weather, mix with other dry foods to prevent clumping that could spoil quickly.