Fifteen Prohibited Items That Should Never Be Incorporated into Bird Feeders
Landscapes become more lively with the presence of birds—they're entertaining to observe, assist in pollinating flowers, and contribute vibrant hues to the garden. Encouraging birds to your yard can be accomplished through bird feeders, but it's crucial to understand suitable fillings to maintain and nourish these avian visitors. Certain foods incorporate harmful additives and components harmful to birds, while others provide them with unbeneficial calories. According to birding specialists, it's wise to steer clear of these common foods and ingredients during feeder refills.
Specialist consultants from the American Bird Protection SocietyJulie Zickefoose, ornithologist, writer, and DIY WarblerFall bird bath inventor
Bread
Regardless of popularity, bread is not an ideal snack for avians and may draw unwanted rodents to your feeders. "Feeding bread to water birds has resulted in angel wing disability, a condition where ducklings and goslings are born with deformed, ineffective wings," explains Julie Zickefoose, ornithologist and WarblerFall bird bath DIY inventor. "Bread is a magnet for starlings and house sparrows, invasive species imported from other countries, which compete with native birds like chickadees, bluebirds, and woodpeckers for nesting sites."
Raw Meat
While providing raw meat for birds that consume meat in the wild, such as hawks, eagles, and owls, may seem advantageous, it's advisable to avoid offering uncooked meat in backyard feeders. "The dilemma with raw meat is the risk of spoilage and attracting undesired guests," the specialists at the American Bird Protection Society (ABPS) mention.
Seeds and Nuts marketed for
Forget using seeds and nuts from the supermarket for bird feeders. "These sorts of food typically possess an excessive amount of salt or other additives and flavors, detrimental to wild birds, the specialists at ABPS say. "Salt can result in excessive thirst, dehydration, kidney failure, even death. It's best to offer birdseed intended for wild birds and to cultivate and grow native plants providing beneficial food sources, such as seeds, fruits, berries, etc."
Potato Chips
Similar to seeds and nut packages, potato chips contain salt, additives, preservatives, and ample oil, leaving birds undernourished.
Honey
Raw honey may induce botulism in birds—a hazardous toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, as the specialists at ABPS reveal. This can lead to severe sickness, weakness, and even paralysis. In addition, honey is rich in sugar, and its acidity can wreak havoc on a bird's digestive system. "It can also get messy, sticking to their beaks and feathers, making it difficult to fly," the specialists at ABPS point out.
Old Birdseed
Refrain from providing outdated or spoiled seed mixes to birds, as they can spoil and produce toxic mold potentially lethal to birds. "Birds should not be presumed capable of digesting seed when the bag storage or seal was improperly maintained or left unsealed for an extended period," the specialists at ABPS suggest.
Fruit Seeds and Pits
Although specific fruits are safe for avian consumption, it's crucial to remove seeds and pits first. Some fruit pits and seeds, like those in apples and pears, contain traces of cyanide, harmful to birds. "It's best to remove seeds from the fruit you offer to birds—for instance, apples, pears, cherries, oranges, peaches," the specialists at ABPS emphasize.
Chocolate
Chocolate is notoriously toxic to birds and can cause convulsions, heart arrhythmia, vomiting, and even death. "Birds lack the enzymes required to digest theobromine, a compound in cocoa beans—the fundamental ingredient in chocolate," the specialists at ABPS explain.
Pet Food
Internet rumors advocate using cat or dog food in place of bird feed when supplies are limited. However, the dietary needs of cats and dogs differ greatly from birds.
Dry Beans
Providing dried beans is not advisable due to the existence of phytohemagglutinin, a toxic substance present in some uncooked beans, the ABPS experts mention. Cooking beans neutralizes this substance.
Dairy Products
Avoid placing dairy products like cheese in bird feeders. "Birds lack the enzyme needed to break down lactose, present in milk and other dairy products," the specialists at ABPS explain.
Avocados
Although they're a good source of fat, avocados contain persin, toxic to several bird species. "The most common symptoms of persin toxicity in birds are collapse, lethargy, heavy breathing, and sudden death," the specialists at ABPS stress.
Red Dyes
Sometimes, red dye is added to hummingbird nectar due to its recognition as an attractor. However, this can be detrimental to birds. “Instant nectars often contain red dyes with artificial chemicals that can cause suffering in hummingbirds," the specialists at ABPS elaborate. "Their sole purpose is to attract hummingbirds, who easily locate red flowers.”
Soybeans are generally advised against due to their common coating with harmful neonicotinoid pesticides, commonly referred to as neonics. According to the professionals at ABC, neonics can weaken and harm birds, even when consumed in lower quantities. Birds that ingest seeds treated with this neurotoxin may experience seizures, motor function loss, and navigational difficulties, all of which can be fatal. Similarly, corn, which also contains neonics, should never be used in bird feeders.
fruit preserve
Grape jelly is often provided to orioles, but jellies containing high fructose corn syrup or other highly processed substances should be avoided, as suggested by the experts at ABC. Natural grape jelly is safe for orioles. However, it's crucial to keep hummingbirds away from the jelly, as there have been instances of hummingbirds being harmed by jelly stuck to their feathers. Using an oriole feeder specifically for jelly can help prevent this.
Did this information assist you? We appreciate your feedback! Share your reasons.
After understanding the harmful effects of certain foods on birds, Martha Stewart's Living magazine could advocate for alternative snacks that are safe and beneficial for avian visitors. For instance, promoting native plants in gardening articles that offer seeds, fruits, and berries for birds.
Considering the risk of attracting unwanted rodents, it's crucial for bird enthusiasts to steer clear of placing bread around feeders, as suggested by ornithologist and WarblerFall bird bath inventor Julie Zickefoose.
