While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service advises against feeding many types of wild animals, birds are generally excluded from these guidelines. Unlike some other wild animals, feeding birds with safe foods does not alter their behavior or threaten their health. While many types of people food are not considered safe, there are a few “weird” items that are safe to share with your backyard bird visitors in moderation. Read on to learn more about some of these food items.
I’ve always loved watching the birds in my backyard, and experimenting with different foods has been a fun way to attract new species. Offering these unusual treats not only helps the birds but also makes my yard a lively spot for birdwatching. Just be sure to follow the guidelines below to keep your feathered friends safe.
Cheese
Certain types of cheese can be fed to birds, but only occasionally and only in moderation. Birds love the taste of cheese, and it can provide them with protein and fat to help them survive when food isn’t as abundant. Some birds that might enjoy a cheese snack include wrens, robins, blackbirds, starlings, and thrushes. You can also try sprinkling some cheese to attract birds to your birdfeeder. However, not all cheeses are considered safe for birds. Some cheeses, like ricotta or cottage cheese, have too much salt and can be dangerous to birds. These and other soft cheese, such as brie, can also get stuck on the birds’ beaks or feathers, putting their health at risk. If you want to feed the birds in your backyard some cheese on occasion, stick with harder varieties, such as cheddar, Swiss, or Monterey jack. Grate the cheese to make it easier for the birds to safely eat, and avoid putting too much out. Not only will this prevent the birds from eating more than they should, but cheese also goes bad quickly, especially in the heat.
Offering cheese can be a great way to draw in birds, especially during colder months when natural food sources are scarce. In my experience, robins go wild for tiny bits of grated cheddar! But here’s a tip: only put out what the birds can eat in a day to avoid spoilage. A study from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology suggests that high-fat foods like cheese can make up about 10% of a bird’s diet without causing harm, so keep portions small. Also, consider the cost—hard cheeses like cheddar are affordable, with a pound costing around $4-$6, making this a budget-friendly treat. To ensure safety, I always check that the cheese is free of additives like herbs or spices, which can upset a bird’s stomach.
Melon Seeds
“After you enjoy a refreshing watermelon or cantaloupe this summer, don’t toss the seeds,” says Bill Freimuth, the Vice President of Sales with Centurion Brands, a gardening and outdoor living company. Freimuth explains that dried melon seeds are a tasty source of energy and are a favorite of many birds, including cardinals, blue jays, and chickadees. “Just be sure to rinse the seeds first to remove any leftover fruit flesh, then dry them thoroughly on a paper towel before placing them in a feeder or on a bird-feeding tray,” he explains. You could even roast the watermelon or cantaloupe seeds in the oven—without any salt or other seasonings—before sharing them with your feathered friends.
I started saving melon seeds last summer, and it’s been a game-changer for attracting cardinals to my feeder. The process is simple, but don’t skip rinsing the seeds—leftover fruit can attract ants or mold. Roasting them at 300°F for 10-15 minutes gives them a nice crunch that birds seem to love. According to the National Audubon Society, seeds like these provide essential oils and proteins, which are critical for birds during migration seasons. Best of all, this is basically free since you’re using seeds you’d otherwise throw away. Just be patient; it might take a few days for birds to discover this new treat in your yard.
Cooked, Unsalted Popcorn
If you want to be a good neighbor to backyard wildlife, the birds will be thrilled if you share some plain, unsalted, and unflavored popcorn with them. According to Freimuth, popcorn kernels “are a good source of carbohydrates for birds, especially ground-feeding birds like doves, sparrows, and juncos.” He explains, “You can offer them whole or break them up into smaller pieces.” If you want to share this treat with the birds in your yard, just make sure that you are only feeding them fully popped kernels. The kernels should be air-popped; they should not come from a bag of microwave popcorn, because, as Freimuth notes, “the buttery flavorings and coatings can be extremely harmful to birds.”
Popcorn is such a fun treat to share with birds, and it’s super easy to prepare. I pop a small batch in my air-popper—about a quarter cup of kernels makes plenty for a day. Sparrows in my yard gobble it up, especially when I scatter it on the ground. A 2019 study on bird nutrition found that carbohydrates from grains like popcorn help birds maintain energy levels, particularly in winter. The cost is minimal; a bag of popping corn runs about $2 and lasts for months. One trick I’ve learned is to crush the popcorn slightly for smaller birds like juncos, as it makes it easier for them to eat. Just double-check that no unpopped kernels sneak in, as they’re too hard for birds to digest.
Shredded Coconut
“Not just for piña coladas, shredded coconut can be a surprising treat for some bird species like woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches,” Freimuth shares. Shredded coconut is more than just tasty; it is also nutritious. According to Freimuth, the fruit has a high fat content that “provides much-needed energy, particularly during cold weather.” If you are going to feed your birds this fruit, it is important to choose plain, unsweetened shredded—not desiccated—coconut. Desiccated coconut can be potentially fatal for birds. The coconut is ground, not shredded, and has a much lower moisture content. When birds swallow it, it may end up swelling in their stomach, blocking the absorption of important nutrients their bodies need to stay alive.
I was skeptical about coconut at first, but after trying it, I noticed chickadees flocking to my feeder more often. The high fat content—about 33 grams per 100 grams of coconut—makes it a powerhouse for birds in winter, as it helps them maintain body heat. A small bag of unsweetened shredded coconut costs around $3 and goes a long way since you only need a tablespoon or two at a time. To avoid any risks, I always double-check the label to ensure it’s not desiccated. A handy tip: mix a little coconut with suet for a DIY bird treat that woodpeckers can’t resist. Just don’t overdo it, as too much fat can be hard on their systems.
Eggshells
While eggshells are technically food for birds, they more importantly play a critical role by aiding digestion. Freimuth recommends finely crushing the shells with a rolling pin or a mortar and pestle. Then, he says, “Sprinkle them on a bird feeder tray or near a natural feeding area.” The birds will consume the tiny pieces of egg shell as they munch on the other food in the feeder. In addition to serving as a digestive aid, Freimuth explains, “Birds like robins, finches, and sparrows use the calcium in crushed eggshells to help form their eggs and strengthen their bones.” He also notes the importance of trying to keep squirrels and other wildlife from eating the crushed eggshells. The added calcium the eggshells deliver isn’t as important to these other critters as it is to birds.
Crushing eggshells has become a routine in my kitchen, and it’s rewarding to see finches pecking at them in my feeder. Calcium is vital for birds, especially during nesting season—research shows that female birds need up to 10 times more calcium when laying eggs. I bake the shells at 250°F for 10 minutes to sterilize them, then crush them into a fine powder. This is another free resource, assuming you eat eggs regularly. To keep squirrels at bay, I sprinkle the shells in a hanging feeder rather than on the ground. A quick tip: don’t use shells from raw eggs, as they can carry bacteria like salmonella that could harm birds.