Having a bird table in your garden is a great way to encourage wildlife, but there are certain foods you should avoid that could cause more harm than good. Bad food choices can lead to malnutrition, disease, kidney failure and even death. Seeds and nuts are often the staple of bird mix, however, there’s one you should avoid at all costs.
That’s according to experts at Ivel Valley Bird Food, who say that salty peanuts should never be on offer to your garden birds. When birds eat salt, including salty peanuts, it can lead to kidney failure — and even death. “While many wild birds can process small amounts of salt without difficulty, large quantities are dangerous,” the experts stated.
“You should avoid putting out salty foods, including crisps, salty peanuts, and bacon. Too much salt can affect the electrolyte and fluid balance of the bird’s body, leading to excessive thirst, dehydration, kidney failure, and in the worst cases, death.”
Symptoms of too much salt in birds can also include weakness, diarrhea, fluid discharge from the beak, muscle tremors, and even seizures.
Other foods you should avoid putting on a bird table are fruit pips and seeds, which can contain cyanide that can cause death in birds.
The experts said: “For humans, it would take many fruit seeds and pips to feel the effects of the poison. The smaller-sized garden birds will be affected much more quickly with a lower dose, causing them sickness and eventually death.”
Foods to avoid on a bird feederSpoiled seedsCrispsFruit pips and seedsMilkAvocadoRaw meatSalty nuts and foodChocolate
There are plenty of foods that birds can eat, but it’s important to ensure food is fresh and not mouldy or contaminated to prevent the spread of diseases and to avoid attracting unwanted pests.
Safe foods for bird feedersSeeds (sunflower, nyjer, millet)Nuts (peanuts)SuetInsect-based foods such as mealwormsFruitKitchen scraps such as pasta and rice (in moderation)