Do birds eat almonds? What are the natural nuts and seeds that you should you stock up on for your bird feeder?
Birdwatching is a fun activity that people of all ages can enjoy. In fact, building a bird feeder in or near your home is a great way to observe and enjoy the songs of visiting birds. You not only get to have a nice view of these majestic fliers, but you also offer them a quick and nutritious diet.
Can birds eat nuts – not just almonds, but the whole spectrum of available nuts on the market? Read on to learn more about nuts and birds that go hand in hand together!
Table of Contents
Do Birds Eat Almonds?
Yes – almonds are another nut that birds will go crazy after. They are a great source of protein and healthy fats that will keep up the bird’s energy for a long time. This high-calorie and fiber-rich nut is perfect for birds that are trying to weather out the winter, especially if there are non-migratory birds living in your area.
Almonds can be pretty big for smaller wild birds. If you’re worried they’ll be ignored, you can break them down into smaller bits. Chopping up the almonds and adding them to low feeders will make them available to tinier, ground-feeding birds.
Birds That Love Nuts Other Than Almonds
If you will stock up on nuts to fill up your feeder, what birds can you expect to make a trip to your yard? Here are some of the birds that eat nuts and seem to have a preference for them!
- Robins
- Jays
- Chickadees
- Dunnocks
- Woodpeckers
- Nuthatches
- Wrens
As you can see, there’s a lot of birds that enjoy nuts. Just make sure to get the fresh unsalted variety and to keep the bird feed as natural as possible.
The Other Best Bird Feeder Foods
Birds like almonds, peanuts, pecans, walnuts, and the like. Aside from nuts, what are some great additions for a nutritious bird feed station? Here are some all-time favorites.
Seeds
Some of the best seeds to feed birds are the following:
- Sunflower seeds, both striped and black. Black oil sunflower is especially popular due to its oil content and easy-to-break thin shells. Bigger birds with sharp beaks are better suited for the thick-shelled striped sunflower seeds.
- Safflower seeds are similar in look to the sunflower seed, except they are white. You will notice that safflower is a bit pricier than sunflower seeds. It can have a bitter taste, which works for birds but not for other small animals like squirrels or raccoons.
- Millet is very small seeds that are perfect for smaller birds. They are chockfull of nutrients and are a great filler for your bird feeders. All kinds of birds love this seed, especially among ground-feeding birds, so you can scatter this on the floor as well.
- Sorghum, a reddish grain, also provides some nutrition, but less than millet. Still, it acts as a decent filler for your bird feeder and is generally well-liked by a variety of birds.
- Nyjer or thistle seed is another favorite snack of small birds. They are typically black in color and elongated like rice grain, down to how lightweight the seed can be. They have a lot of oil, fat, and protein, making them a nutritious feast for birds.
- Rapeseed or canola is another seed that is oil-rich since this is the seed that is used to produce the popular cooking oil. The black round seeds are also good for small birds.
- Canary seed is a brown seed that looks similar to grains of rice. When the hulls are removed, the seed is a darker brown. They are typically sold for pet birds, so they are also good for wild birds and your feeders.
Many larger birds have the capability to crack open seeds with their sharp beaks or talons. However, some small garden birds will not be able to partake in this meal. If you have an idea of which birds you want to invite to your feeder, take this into account when shopping for bird feed.
Corn
Cracked corn or whole corn kernels are a great addition to the bird’s diet. You can choose to leave the entire corn cob, removed from the husk into the feeder. Birds are known to peck the kernels off the cob itself, so it’s no issue for them, and you don’t need to make the extra effort.
Be wary about the corn that you buy, because some corn is dyed to indicate it’s meant for planting, which means they have been treated with special chemicals that are not good for bird consumption. Aflatoxins in corn, caused by fungi, should also be avoided.
Mealworms
Mealworms are a great source of protein. They are larvae of beetles, and a lot of them can be bought and stored away. You do need to make sure they don’t escape their container, or you might find yourself in the middle of a mealworm infestation!
These worms don’t just offer fat and protein, but they provide hydration. This is especially important for baby birds who cannot drink water.
Suet
Do birds eat almonds for the fat content? Well, you can complement that with suet!
Suet is animal fat that is found around the kidneys and loins. Beef and mutton are their typical source. This is an excellent food to put out during the winter season, where the birds appreciate that extra energy to burn throughout the colder climate. It is an excellent source of energy.
Suet feeders are usually made of a simple mesh box with accessible holes. This contraption defends food from other animals like squirrels but is safe for birds to land on and hang around.
Conclusion – Do Birds Eat Eat Almonds And Other Nuts?
Can birds eat almonds? Yes, and almonds are great inclusions to your bird feeder. They are high in nutritious fat, which will help birds in the colder seasons.
What kinds of bird food do you like to fill your bird feeder with? What other methods and feeders have you tried to use? Let us know in the comments below!
