Feeding wild birds is a great way of inviting nature into your garden while supporting local wildlife.
However, not all foods are safe and nutritious for birds, and some can cause more harm than good.
When it comes to bird feeding, knowing what not to feed is just as important as knowing what to feed.
In this guide, we will explore what not to feed wild birds, what foods you can offer instead, tips for bird feeding, and answer common questions.
Why proper bird feeding matters
Birds love food and will usually land and tuck into whatever you have left out for them, regardless of what it is.
Although it may look like they are enjoying it, it does not mean it is good for them.
When sharing food with pets or wildlife, it is important to remember that they do not process foods like humans and have specific caloric and nutritional needs.
Foods lacking in essential nutrients or containing high quantities of fat, salt, or sugar can lead to malnutrition, digestion problems, and severe health conditions.
Proper bird feeding is not just about regularly leaving food out in a bird feeder or on a table; it’s about providing a valuable food source rich in nutrients so birds can thrive.
Offering the right foods can support a bird’s:
- Energy levels. Fuelling their daily activities of flying and foraging for food. In addition, a balanced diet can also provide the energy reserves birds need for long migration journeys
- Growth and development. Protein-rich foods can promote feather growth, while foods rich in calcium and phosphorus can contribute to strong bones and regular muscle function
- Foraging behaviours. Providing foods like seeds, nuts, and insects in bird feeders mimics natural foraging and prevents an over-reliance on human foods
- Immune system. Foods containing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants will help birds to fight off diseases and infections more easily
Feeding bids properly can also prevent them from eating your newly sown grass seed!
What not to feed wild birds
Now that you understand why it is important to feed birds properly, it is time to consider what foods you should avoid feeding them.
It may come as a surprise, but there are quite a number of foods that can be harmful to birds.
Knowing what foods to avoid is essential for making the best choice and keeping your garden visitors safe and healthy.
Here are the top foods you should never feed wild birds:
1. Milk
Birds are lactose intolerant and unable to digest milk and dairy products properly.
Unlike other animals, birds do not have the necessary enzymes to break down lactose.
If they do consume milk, it can upset their stomach, leading to diarrhoea and dehydration.
Instead of milk, leave clean and fresh water out for your feathered friends, as this will keep them hydrated without upsetting their digestive system.
2. Chocolate
Chocolate is a delicious treat for us humans, but it can be extremely harmful to birds.
It contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which can cause heart rate and rhythm changes, hyperactivity, seizures, and even death.
A general rule is the darker the chocolate, the higher the amount of toxins and therefore the more toxic it is for birds.
If you want to give your feathered friends a sweet treat, why not add raisins or cranberries to your bird table buffet?
3. Seeded and pitted fruits
Fruits like apples, cherries, pears, apricots, and peaches can be a tasty and nutritious snack for birds.
However, you must ensure that they are not offered to birds without removing the seeds and pits first.
Seeds and pits contain small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides, which release cyanide when digested.
Once these have been removed, these fruits are perfectly safe for birds to consume.
4. Avocado
Avocado is renowned as a superfood, but it is anything but for birds.
The leaves of the avocado plant contain persin, a fatty acid-like substance that is a fungicidal toxin.
If persin is ingested by a bird, it can cause heart damage, respiratory stress, digestive upset, and even sudden death.
To avoid causing unnecessary harm to any garden visitors, some alternatives you can leave out include chopped carrots, antioxidant-rich berries, spinach, and kale.
5. Onions and garlic
It can be easy to think that onions and garlic, like other vegetables, will be healthy and nutritious for birds; however, they can actually be very harmful.
Onions and garlic contain sulfoxides and thiosulfates, which are toxic to birds.
Eating these can irritate the lining of a bird’s mouth and oesophagus, cause ulcers, and cause the rupture of red blood cells, resulting in anaemia, digestive upset, and organ failure.
Additionally, neither of these foods offers high nutritional content for birds, so there is little benefit to adding them to your feeders anyway.
Instead, why not add nutrient-rich leafy greens or chopped and de-seeded bell peppers, both of which are loved by birds and are non-toxic.
6. Raw meat
Although many wild birds in the UK are carnivorous, you should avoid leaving out raw meat for them.
Ground or scraps of meat can spoil very quickly, especially in warmer weather, leading to the growth of bacteria.
The harmful bacteria that can grow on meat include Salmonella and E.coli, both of which can cause severe food poisoning in birds.
In addition, leaving out raw food can attract predators and pests, which can be a further threat to your feathered friends.
If you want to offer healthy foods high in protein, then mealworms and suet cakes are a great choice.
7. Processed foods
Processed foods like bacon, pizza, and crisps are full of additives, salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, all of which are a big no-no for birds.
They cannot process these ingredients in the same way humans can, and too much of it can be harmful to their health.
Too much salt can cause dehydration and kidney damage, while excessive sugar can lead to hyperactivity.
In addition, unhealthy fats can be difficult for birds to digest and can contribute to clogged arteries.
In addition to health issues, processed foods do not provide essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins needed to support the growth and development of your garden visitors.
Avoid offering these types of food and opt for fresh berries, leafy greens, or chopped unsalted nuts.
8. Desiccated coconut
Another food to avoid leaving out on your bird table or in a feeder is desiccated coconut.
Unlike fresh coconut, the shavings are dried out as part of their production.
When we eat them, they expand a little in our stomach after absorbing moisture, which does not affect us.
However, birds have much smaller stomachs, so they can experience significant difficulties when digesting desiccated coconut.
Its expansion in the stomach can lead to blockages, dehydration, digestive upset, and irritation of the throat and crop.
You can easily swap out desiccated coconut for fresh, chopped coconut, which has more nutritional value and will not cause harm to birds.
9. Mouldy food
Food that is left uneaten will eventually spoil and develop mould over time.
Although it might be tempting to share any out-of-date leftovers with your garden friends, it can actually be very dangerous.
Mouldy food carries bacteria and parasites, which can spread diseases and cause illness or death in birds.
Always check your bird feeders and make sure to remove any food before it spoils and can cause unnecessary harm.
Is it okay to put bread out for birds?
Compared to other foods like fruit, seeds, and berries, bread is not the best food you can offer birds.
Bread is not harmful to birds and can be very filling, but it does have very low nutritional value.
To thrive, wild birds need a highly nutritious diet to support their energy levels, growth, and immune system.
Offering bread as an occasional treat will not harm birds if it is in small quantities and not in place of quality and nutritious foods.
What is the best food to put out for birds?
The best food you can offer birds is a high-quality birdseed that is rich in nutrients and will support their overall health.
Our Birdseed Banquet Mix is packed with nutrients, and designed to appeal to a variety of wild birds, including robins, wrens, and sparrows.
Key ingredients include sunflower hearts, black sunflower seeds, and red and white millet, all of which are bird favourites.
Birdseed Banquet can be used in feeders, on bird tablets, feeding platforms, and bird feeding stations.
Tips for responsible bird feeding
To ensure you keep birds healthy and returning to your garden, you need to ensure that you are following feeding best practices.
| Top tips Here are some of our top tips for bird feeding: Offer the right foods. Support the birdlife that visits your garden by providing nutrient-rich options that provide the right balance of protein, vitamins, and fats Clean feeders regularly. Use warm water and soap to remove any food residue and bacteria to prevent diseases Provide fresh water. Provide fresh water daily to encourage birds to stay longer, hydrate, and bathe Place feeders in a safe location. Position feeders away from shrubs or hiding spots where predators may be lurking. Ensure birds have a good view of your garden so they can easily spot and avoid any risks Adjust feeds seasonally. Tailor your bird feed menu to the seasons; for example, in summer you can offer protein-rich foods like mealworms and insects to support breeding |
Ready to create a bird-friendly garden?
Feeding wild birds is not only a great way to attract them to your garden but also to support local wildlife.
By understanding which foods to avoid and following our bird feeding tips, you can provide nutritious foods while keeping them safe.
To help transform your garden into a bird-friendly haven, why not take our quiz to be matched with your personalised lawn care bundle?
| FAQ’s Are there any nuts you should not feed birds? Yes, you should avoid any salted nuts, as these will contain high levels of salt that birds are not used to eating. Excessive salt can cause dehydration in birds, as well as kidney and nervous system damage. Flavoured nuts can also have a similar effect, as they usually contain artificial additives, spices, and sweeteners that are harmful to birds. Can birds eat porridge oats? Birds can eat plain porridge oats, as these are very nutritious and good for them in moderation. However, you must only serve birds dry oats, never cooked, as these can be sticky and become stuck in beaks and feathers. In addition, you should never offer instant porridge pots or sachets to wild birds. These contain additives, including sugar and milk powder, which are not suitable for birds. Instead, offer jumbo oats, rolled oats, or pinhead oats, all of which are safe and nutritious for birds to eat. You can serve porridge oats up in one of three ways: on their own, mixed with seed, or in fat balls using lard or suet. |
