Blueberries are entirely safe for birds. But you have to serve the berries to birds in a proper way. They contain many healthy antioxidants and vitamins that maintain the healthy physique of the birds. This tasty and juicy fruit is a perfect treat for birds. But don’t be in a hurry to provide the Blueberries to birds. Let’s know more about serving the Blueberries to birds.

Nutritional values of Blueberries for birds

Blueberries are a great source of vitamins with low calories at the same time. That’s why they are often labeled as a superfood. Following are the nutritional values of blueberries for birds.

• Blueberries are a great source of vitamin C, which is essential for birds’ overall health. Vitamin C boosts the immune system of birds and prevents them from self-destructive behavior.
• Blueberries contain vitamin B6, which is good for quickly turning the food into energy. It’s equally good for brain and heart health.
• Blueberries contain vitamin A, which promotes the growth and development of birds. It promotes their vision and boosts their eye pigmentation.
• Blueberries contain potassium and magnesium, which both reduce the risk of heart disease and promote muscle mass.
• Free radicals are one of the main issues for many problems for birds and humans as well. Blueberries contain antioxidants, which prevent free radicals.

Birds that like the Blueberries 

Many garden birds eat the Blueberries to maintain their energy level. But some birds especially like to eat this fruit. The garden birds that love to eat the Blueberries include the bluebirds, robins, waxwings, tanagers, orioles, jays, woodpeckers, catbirds, and thrashers.

How do you feed the Blueberries to birds?

You can feed the blueberries to birds in different ways.

• You can plant some Blueberry bushes in your backyard as this is the best way to offer fresh Blueberries to birds. The birds will enjoy the fresh fruit year-round, and it also allows the migrating birds to prepare themselves before starting their migration.
• Make sure to add plenty of bushes so that the birds share them.
• Offer the blueberries to birds in addition to their other regular foods. Most of the birds enjoy the mixture of blueberries along with their other diet. Moreover, too many Blueberries can also cause digestive issues for birds.
• If you don’t want to plant the Blueberries in your garden, you can take a dish and offer the fresh blueberries in this dish. At the time of the migration, you can put some extra Blueberry dishes for migrating birds.
• If you have any storage issues, you can buy the frozen Blueberries for easy storage.

Can birds eat dried Blueberries?

Yes, birds can eat dried Blueberries. Fresh Blueberries are a good choice to offer the birds, but in case you don’t have fresh Blueberries, you can also serve the dried Blueberries to birds. Usually, birds eat more Blueberries in dried form as they shrink after drying. It means they are taking more sugar and calories. So make sure to offer the dried Blueberries to birds in limitation.

Can birds have Blueberry juice?

Yes, birds can have Blueberry juice, especially parrots. Juices are loaded with extra sugar, so make sure to use the organic Blueberries to make the juice. You can make a perfect Blueberry juice at home. After making the juice, you can give it stand-alone to birds or mix it in their meal as a decent flavor.

How often should you feed the Blueberries to birds?

Birds can eat fresh vegetables and fruits for 20 to 25 percent of their daily diet. So, you can mix the Blueberries with the bird’s diet daily to ensure that they are taking the nutrients from different diets. As a general rule, you can feed the Blueberries to birds once a day or 2 to 3 times a week. In between, you can try out other healthy fruits such as bananas, apples, and oranges.

How to serve the Blueberries to birds without mess?

Follow the below points to serve the Blueberries to birds without creating any mess.

• Only feed the organic Blueberries to birds as there is no need to peel the organic Blueberries before serving them to birds.
• Make sure to wash them thoroughly before offering them to birds. They can contain the pesticides as they travel much before reaching to store. You don’t know what type of bacteria and germs they carry.

Do you need to cut the Blueberries?

No, you don’t need to cut the Blueberries as these are very small, and most of the birds eat them as it is. But if you think some small birds in your garden can’t eat them, you can cut them in two half and serve them in a bowl. If you are serving the Blueberries to baby birds, make sure to chop them to prevent any choking hazards. Even baby birds can die in some worst cases. To prevent the baby birds from any hazards, you can serve the Blueberries in the claws of baby birds.

Conclusion 

Birds can eat the blueberries. In fact, it’s very healthy and nutritious for them. You can serve this fruit to birds in your garden. But make sure to offer it in moderation as it’s a sugary fruit and can cause some health compilations for birds. You can serve the Blueberries to birds in many ways, but the fresh whole blueberries are one the best way to serve them.

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You will definitely enjoy feeding the dates to wild birds in your garden. But don’t be in a hurry to scatter the dates in your yard. You have to know a few things before offering the dates to birds. Let’s know in detail about offering the dates to birds.

Benefits of Dates for Birds 

Dates are packed with many health benefits for humans and birds as well. Following are the health benefits of dates for birds.

1. Great source of antioxidants 

Dates are a great source of antioxidants. They protect the body against free radicals, which are responsible for cancer, heart diseases, and many other chronic conditions. Dates also protect the immune system of the birds.

2. Source of healthy nutrients 

Dates are well-rounded with healthy nutrients. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients. A small amount of protein is also present in dates, such as potassium, magnesium, manganese, copper, and iron. But make sure to feed in moderation as too much of these contents is also bad for birds.

3. Brain support 

Dates support the brain in many ways, which are associated with the prevention of many neurodegenerative diseases. They lower the inflammatory marker, which is associated with many diseases.

4. Natural sweetener 

Dates are a great source of natural sweetness, which makes them one of the best sugary snacks for birds. When the birds eat processed sugar, they are exposed to different health conditions. But in the case of natural sweeteners such as dates, birds prevent these types of health issues.

How to prepare the dates for birds?

It’s not too time-consuming to prepare birds’ dates like many other bird foods. You just need to remove the seeds before offering the dates to birds. Many large birds can swallow the whole dates with the seeds, which can cause choking hazards for them. Once you remove the date’s seeds, the remaining part is perfectly safe for birds. You can offer the different types of dates to birds, which include the khalal, Rutob, and Tamar.

The Khalal type of the dates is mostly like the apple and can be served in halved or diced forms. Don’t mix it with the other dry fruit as the moisture in the dates can cause mold and rot to dry fruits. The Rutob type of dates can be served whole after removing the seeds or served in a ball size pieces. You can also mesh it with the bird’s favorite seeds to make the seed balls. The last type is the dried dates, which are the sweetest among all the data types. These can be served alone, or you can mix them with the dry fruits of the birds as they don’t contain much moisture, making them the best choice for birds.

Are there any risks for birds in eating dates?

Dates are completely healthy and safe for birds. But it can cause some issues for them, especially when they eat too much. Birds can have the following health risks when they eat the dates too much.

• Too much amount of any bird food can lead them to allergies. The same thing can happen when the birds eat dates. Make sure to keep an eye on the birds, especially your pet bird, when they eat dates.
• Dates are calorie-dense and filling. When the birds eat the dates too much, it can spoil their appetite overall. So make sure the birds are eating the dates along with their other well-balanced meal.
• Dates are a great source of fiber and natural sugar. But it’s, too much amount can cause the digestive upset for birds. So, make sure to introduce the dates to birds slowly, especially to your pet bird.

Can birds eat date seeds?

No, birds can’t eat the date seeds. These are very hard for them and can cause digestive upset. You should remove the date seeds before offering them to birds, as many large birds can eat the seeds accidentally, which can cause choking hazards for them. Even some small birds can crack and break their beak when they try to pick the date seeds.

How to feed the dates to the parrot?

If you are especially looking to feed the dates to your pet bird, you can offer it in multiple ways. You can simply offer the date pieces after removing the seeds or cut the dates into small pieces. You can also crush the pieces and make a paste as it’s another option to serve the dates to parrots. A homemade date bar is also a good option, which includes seeds and nuts. But make sure to don’t offer fried dates as these contain a lot of fat content, which is not good for the parrot’s health. The high-fat content of the fried fruits can lead the parrots to obesity and fatty liver diseases.

Conclusion 

Birds can eat dates as these are completely safe for them. They contain many healthy nutrients for birds. Birds also get the natural healthy sugar from dates. But make sure to remove the date seed to prevent the birds from digestion and other health issues. You can make the date paste or date balls to offer the dates to birds.

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All the food items that contain chocolate should be avoided to offer the birds. So, if you have any chocolate pieces left from your night party, don’t think to offer them to birds in your garden. Let’s know more about the birds and chocolate cake.

Chocolate cake ingredients that birds don’t eat 

The chocolate cake contains many ingredients that birds don’t eat in their natural wild environment. Below are some of the ingredients that birds don’t eat.

Sugar 

The chocolate cake contains a lot of sugar, which is not required by the birds. It’s nutritious less food for birds as it consists of refined sugar as compared to the enzymes which exist in the whole plant food. Birds can only eat sucrose as it doesn’t affect their health and balances their diet naturally. Many organic fruits contain sucrose but don’t excessively feed the fruits to birds.

Chocolate 

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to birds. They may have a hard to resist the chocolate, but it’s harmful to them. Even the small quantities of chocolate can lead the birds to vomit and have diarrhea. In some serious cases, it can increase their heart rate and potentially cause their death. The darker and bitter chocolates are more toxic to birds than the lighter chocolates.

Dairy 

The chocolate cake contains dairy, which is not toxic to birds, but birds can’t digest it. The dairy contains lactose, which is not digestible for birds. Even if your pet bird accidentally eats dairy, make sure to monitor it for some time. It can cause a lot of digestive upsets for birds.

What if my pet bird accidentally ate the chocolate cake?

First, you have to monitor your bird. Chocolate can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and increased heart rate. If you think their condition is getting worse with time, immediately contact the nearest Animal Poison Control Center in your area. In worse cases, it can lead the birds to hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, and in some cases death as well.

How much chocolate can kill the birds?

A very small amount of chocolate is enough to kill the birds. Even less than 2mg of chocolate can put the bird’s life in danger. But it somehow depends upon what type of chocolate you fed to the bird. Usually, milk chocolates are dangerous for birds as compared to dark and cocoa chocolate. So, generally, it’s a bad choice for birds, and you should prevent offering it to birds. Don’t give the chocolate and any chocolate product to birds.

Which type of birds can eat chocolate?

Any type of bird can’t eat chocolate. It’s very toxic for them. It doesn’t matter whichever species of the bird; chocolate is not good for their health. So, make sure chocolate is not given to any bird in any case.

Why is my bird still good after eating the chocolate?

If your bird eats the chocolate and still fine, it’s doesn’t mean that chocolate is good for it. Maybe it’s due to your luck that your bird does not get sick after eating the chocolate. You have to ensure that you don’t offer any more chocolate to your bird.

Conclusion 

Anything that contains the chocolate, including the chocolate cake, is not good for birds. Chocolate contains cocoa, which can cause health problems for birds. It can also cause the bird’s death in some serious cases. If your bird feels good even after eating the chocolate, it can be due to your luck. Make sure not to offer chocolate and chocolate items to birds as these are serious health risks for birds.

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In this article, we will help you understand about feeding oranges to birds. It will not help if you simply put an orange in the feeder or throw it on the lawn. Birds don’t like the hard outer peel of the oranges. Although birds have strong beaks, they can find it hard to start with a whole orange, which eventually discourages them from eating oranges. So, whether you are going to offer the whole orange to birds or a leftover from your meal, follow the below guide and we will also look at some of the benefits of oranges for birds.

Benefits of Oranges for birds 

Oranges have a lot of health benefits for birds, just like humans, which include the following.

1. Oranges are packed with many healthy vitamins, especially vitamin C. Vitamin C boosts the immune system of the birds. So, it’s a great decision to let your feather friend chow some citrus fruits.
2. It’s a great fruit to relieve stress. So, if you think that bird is experiencing any stress, you can offer them oranges.
3. Oranges act as a natural resistance against illnesses.
4. Oranges provide essential energy to birds, which they use throughout the day.
5. They also contain a small quantity of essential fiber and calories for birds.

Points to keep in mind while offering oranges to birds 

Keep in mind the following points while offering the oranges to birds as some parts of the oranges can be toxic to birds.

• Make sure to offer the oranges in moderation as the citrus present in the oranges can be dangerous to birds. The best you can do is to only offer the oranges once a week. The maximum limit is to offer the oranges two or three times a week.
• Don’t encourage the birds to eat oranges peel. Although these are not toxic to birds but peels are a little tough for birds, especially for smaller birds. Big birds can try orange peels, but it’s better not to provide peels to birds.
• You don’t have to remove the orange seeds as these are not harmless for birds. Moreover, orange seeds are also too small, so they don’t cause any choking hazards for birds.
• You can feed oranges to birds at any time of the year. But spring is the best time to feed the oranges to birds during their mating season. They can attract a lot of nesting birds to your garden.
• It’s tougher to attract the birds to oranges during winter. But if you are offering any juicy fruit in winter, make sure to place it anywhere in the sun to prevent it from freezing.
• Don’t remove the pitch as the birds also like to eat it with orange flesh. Unlike many other fruit pitches, the orange pitch is tasteless.
• Don’t offer orange leaves as the leaves can contain some harmful chemicals for birds.
• If you have an orange tree in your garden, birds will attract to orange buds and blossoms. Blossom contains many healthy nutrients for them.
• Keep the bird feeders clean, as juicy fruits can spoil quickly and can create a mess, especially during the spring and summer seasons. Clean the feeders every few days to remove any mold.
• Be careful while you are using anything to hang the oranges in your garden, as the sharp edges can cause injuries to bird beaks. To avoid this, you can prefer the narrow flat surfaces rather than the nails.
• The other animals, such as squirrels and raccoons, can also be attracted to the oranges, so the best thing you can do is to use the baffle around any type of feeder.

7 Different Ways to offer the Oranges to Birds 

You can serve the oranges to birds in different ways. Look at these 7 ways and pick the best one that suits you.

1. Make orange slices about 4 to 6mm in size and place them on the platform so the birds can easily pick them.
2. Cut the orange into two equal parts and let it on the platform for birds to eat it in their own way.
3. You can also make the orange juice and provide it to birds in your garden or simply put some orange pieces in water and serve the birds.
4. Use the specially designed oriole feeders to offer oranges to birds. These feeders have a special area for oranges to give easy access to birds. Their extra jelly cup can also provide jelly or mealworms to birds. Its bright orange color can also attract the bird’s eyes from long distances.
5. You can also find any spike on a tree branch or metal fence to hang the orange slices or halves. The nails and bird poles can also help you to hang the oranges for birds.
6. The simple homemade hangers can also be used to hand the oranges in the yard.
7. Put the oranges in the square suet feeders, and hang them in the garden. These feeders give the access to birds to eat the oranges from both sides.

Is it safe to offer the orange to birds?

The simple answer is yes, orange is safe for birds to eat. It contains vitamins A, B, and C, which provide many health benefits to birds.

How do birds eat the orange?

Fortunately, if you get a bird in your garden, they will start from the fleshy middle as it’s the softest part of the oranges. They enjoy the endocarp part of the oranges most. Their main goal is to eat from the flesh or only sip the orange juice.

What birds like to eat the orange?

Almost all the wild birds can eat the oranges, but some birds like them the most. The birds that like the oranges most include the orioles, catbirds, woodpeckers, tanagers, towhees, waxwings, thrashers, mockingbirds, and robins. But the list is not only limited to these birds; you can attract many uncommon birds with oranges. Cardinals and finches don’t like the oranges at all.

What type of oranges do birds eat?

You can offer all types of oranges to birds, which include the Valencia, navel oranges, and blood oranges. You can also offer them mandarin oranges such as Satsuma, Tangerine, and Clementine. These oranges have thinner peels as compared to other oranges.

Can birds eat dried oranges?

Yes, birds can eat dried oranges. But most of the dried fruits contain sulfur dioxide, which is not good for birds. If you are offering the dried orange to birds, make sure it’s free from sulfur dioxide as it’s not good for birds’ health.

Conclusion

The birds can eat oranges, and these are very beneficial for them due to their nutritional values. But make sure to only offer in moderation with their usual diet. You can offer the oranges in different ways as discussed above to enjoy watching birds in your garden. Different bird species, especially the orioles love to eat the oranges.

The post Can Birds Eat Oranges? by BirdFeederist appeared first on BIRDFEEDERIST.

Birds usually prefer to eat seeds first and then move to the fruit part of the watermelon, especially the seed lover birds. No matter if you have a pet bird or looking to feed the wild birds in your garden. You can offer the Watermelon to them.

Watermelon has many health benefits for birds, especially for their heart. You can provide the Watermelon to all the garden birds, which include blue jays, cardinals, finches, sparrows, and many other garden bird species. This delicious and juicy fruit can attract a variety of birds into your garden. Let’s see the benefits of Watermelon for birds.

Benefits of Watermelon for birds

Watermelon provides many health benefits to birds, from their heart health to digestive health. Below are some of these benefits.

1. Boost Energy 

Watermelon is a perfect source of many healthy nutrients, which boost the energy level of birds, strengthen their immunity, and act as a natural remedy for inflammation. It contains lycopene and citrulline, which boost the energy level by maintaining the blood flow in the bird’s body.

2. Provide essential vitamins 

Watermelon is also rich in vitamins A, B, B6, and C, which protect the bird cells from damage that can cause heart issues. Vitamin A helps to maintain the eye health of birds, vitamin B boost the energy level, and vitamin C boosts the immune system of birds.

3. Good for digestion

Watermelon is a great source of water as it contains 90% water along with healthy fibers that are beneficial for digestion. It also contains some electrolytes and amino acids, which can play an important role in a bird’s digestive health.

4. Great source of Calories 

Watermelon is also a great source of essential calories, which provide the essential energy to birds to their life.

Do birds like to eat Watermelon?

Yes, this delicious and tasty fruit is loved by many birds. They love to consume their seeds and fruit part. In fact, it contains many essential nutrients and minerals for birds. But don’t rely on Watermelon only. Make sure to offer Watermelon periodically to birds along with their usual diet. Make sure to remove the watermelon rind before serving it to birds as it can be harmful to them.

Some birds, such as finches, will eat watermelon whole while other birds, such as crows and ravens, will peck at the seeds and pulp. Birds that like to eat watermelon often have a sweet tooth and enjoy the sweetness of the fruit.

Can birds eat watermelon skin?

No, birds can’t eat the watermelon skin (Rind) as it contains many harmful substances, which can be toxic to birds. It’s also too hard for birds to eat. So make sure to remove the watermelon rind before offering them to birds.

However, some birds may be able to digest the skin of watermelon, if you are sure about your bird, wash it properly to remove any pesticides and toxic chemicals.

Can birds eat watermelon seeds?

Yes, birds can eat watermelon seeds. In fact, they like to eat the seeds first when you offer the Watermelon to them. It’s optional; you can offer the Watermelon to birds in multiple ways, with or without the seeds. If you are going to offer separate dried seeds to birds, make sure to soak them in water.

Can Parrots Eat Watermelon?

Yes, just like the other garden birds, you can also feed the Watermelon to parrots. In fact, it’s a favorite fruit of many parrot species. All parts of the Watermelon are safe for parrots, including the fruit and seeds. It contains many nutritional benefits for parrots.

How much Watermelon is safe for birds?

A well-balanced diet is always good for birds, just like for humans. As a general rule, the bird’s overall diet can consist of 15-30% percent of fruits and vegetables. It’s safe for them. So, you can offer the Watermelon to birds as a snack, and make sure to mix it with other fruits.

Can parrots have watermelon juice?

Yes, you can offer the watermelon juice to parrots. It’s super easy to make the watermelon juice. Simply remove the watermelon rind, and put the Watermelon in the blender to make delicious juice. Make sure to strain it before offering it to birds, as the leftover seeds can cause hazards for parrots.

Can Watermelon cause any problem for birds?

Watermelon is normally safe for birds. But excess of anything is bad, too much amount can cause certain health issues for them, which can include bloating, gas, and other stomach problems. It’s mainly due to the sorbitol present in the Watermelon.

How can we offer the Watermelon to birds?

You can offer the Watermelon to birds in different ways. Keep in mind the following points while offering the Watermelon to birds.

• The chopped tiny pieces of the Watermelon are perfect for preventing the birds from creating any mess. So, make sure to do the small pieces of Watermelon first before offering them to birds. They will eat the small pieces easily without creating any mess.
• Mix the watermelon pieces with some other fruits as the birds like the variety of fruits. You can mix the Watermelon with berries, vegetables, seeds, mealworms, and corn.
• Don’t remove the seeds, leave the watermelon seeds for birds, as many birds like to eat seeds. In fact, birds first eat seeds before moving to juicy parts. but it’s up to you if you leave the seeds or not. It’s ok in both cases. If you want to remove seeds, do it!
• If you think the watermelon seeds can cause choking hazards for any specific bird, please remove the seeds.
• You have to clean the place quickly where you offer the Watermelon to birds as it can attract the other unwanted audiences. Make sure not to offer the Watermelon near your walls or carpet.
• Please make sure they don’t over-eat it as it can be harmful to them. Maintain a balanced diet to prevent any negative effects.

Conclusion 

Birds can eat many fruits, including Watermelon. These are safe for them. In fact, they have many health benefits for the birds. Watermelon boosts their energy level, improves their digestion, and provides them with essential calories and vitamins. You can provide watermelon as a snack along with their usual diet. The watermelon seeds and juice is also safe for birds. So, don’t hesitate to provide the Watermelon to birds, but as a snack.

The post Can Birds Eat Watermelon? by Birdfeederist appeared first on BIRDFEEDERIST.

In addition, they also enjoy the large seeds, including crushed peanuts, cracked corn, and berries. Even the small chunks of suet are another great choice to attract the cardinals, especially in the winter. You have to regularly check your feeders and ensure that they are filled during the early morning and late evening. Cardinals love to visit the feeders in the morning and evening. According to us, all the listed seeds are best for cardinals but at the top of the list, we choose “Meadow Ridge bird seeds” to be the best among all.

Quick Pick

DREAM BUY

 Meadow Ridge Bird Seeds

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BUDGET FRIENDLY

Audubon Park Cardinal Blend

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Once cardinals realize that you are offering them a year-round, reliable food source, they will permanently visit your backyard. They are non-migratory birds and can stay in your yard year-round. But as mentioned earlier, the important thing is their best food choice. We have made it easier for you by listing the best bird seeds for cardinals. All the below seeds are listed after proper research and reading the buyer reviews. Let’s get started with the best bird seeds for cardinals.

List of Best Bird Seeds for Cardinals 2022

1. Meadow Ridge Black Oil Sunflower Bird Seed 

Meadow Ridge black oil sunflower is one of the best bird seed blends to attract the cardinals. These freshest and locally blended seeds can attract a variety of birds, including the house sparrows, black-capped chickadees, house finches, purple finches, dark-eyed junco, northern cardinals, blue jay, white-breasted nuthatch, common redpoll, rose-breasted grosbeak, pine grosbeak, evening grosbeak, mourning dove, downy woodpecker, and white-crowned sparrow. You can use these seeds for all breed sizes.

100% black oil sunflower 

It’s a 100% black oil sunflower pack, ideal for attracting the cardinals. They love to eat the sunflower seeds with their strong and thick beak. These are all unshelled sunflower seeds without any trash, and the cardinals love to open them.

Age range 

You don’t need to worry about the cardinal’s health after providing these black sunflower seeds, as they are good for all of their life stages.

Weight 

It’s a 10 pounds bag. You can also purchase the 20 pounds or 40 pounds bag.

                                  Here are some Pros & Cons of this Product

PROS

• 100% black sunflower seeds
• For all life stages
• 10 pounds

CONS

• A little high in price

2. Wagner’s 62006 Midwest Regional Blend for Cardinals

This is another good blend to attract the beautiful perching and ground-feeding Midwestern birds. It contains the seeds of sunflower and safflower to fulfill the desires of Midwest songbirds. You can feed this blend in tube, hopper, or platform feeders. All the highest quality grains are used in the blend to make it perfect for the birds. You will be surprised to see the different wild birds on your feeder by using this perfect blend, including the cardinals, chickadees, finches, and blue jays. The blend contains 25% sunflower plus safflowers along with some other grains. Ensure to store it in a cool and dry place to prevent any damage.

Age range

You can use it for all ages without worrying about the bird’s health. You can also use them with different seeds to attract a variety of birds.

Ingredients 

The main ingredients are sunflower and safflower seeds. The other grains include white millet, cracked corn, milo, black oil sunflower seeds, and striped safflower seeds.

Weight

It’s a 20 pounds bag.

                                  Here are some Pros & Cons of this Product

PROS

• Variety of seeds
• For all life stages
• 20 pounds

CONS

• Doesn’t stay for long

3. Pennington Pride Red Bird Blend For Cardinals

Pennington Pride bird’s seed blend is ideal for attracting red birds, especially cardinals. It can also attract other songbirds such as juncos, grosbeaks, and nuthatches. It contains a special blend of black oil sunflower and safflower seeds, which is a cardinal’s favorite food. You can offer this blend in the hopper, gazebo, and tube-style bird feeders. It’s a perfect advanced nutritious formula for birds’ health. It is enriched with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, making it a perfect diet for bird health. You can use this blend year-round to attract colorful songbirds.

Breed type 

It’s recommended for small breed types, but you can also use it to attract medium-sized breeds.

Added vitamins and minerals 

Added vitamins and minerals make it the perfect blend to fulfill the bird’s dietary needs. The blend is rich in minerals, vitamins, and nutrients.

Weight 

It is a 10 pounds bag.

                                    Here are some Pros & Cons of this Product

PROS

• Added vitamins and minerals
• High-quality mix
• 10 pounds

CONS

• Attracts a limited range of birds

4. Kaytee Wild Bird Food Nut & Fruit Blend for Cardinals      

Kaytee wild bird food is a high-energy food for year-round feedings such as cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, and other colorful songbirds. It contains nut and fruit pieces along with seeds and grains to meet the high-energy demands of the birds. This mix is specially blended for woodpeckers, cardinals, nuthatches, grosbeaks, and juncos. Make sure to store it in a cool and dry place, especially in a sealed container.

Breed type

It’s recommended for small breeds, but you can also offer it to medium size breeds as they love to enjoy this blend with nuts and fruit.

Ingredients 

The blend contains oil sunflower, peanuts, hulled sunflower chips, mixed feed nuts, safflower, raisins, striped sunflower, hulled pumpkin seed, direct cherries, and artificial flavor.

Weight 

It’s 10 pounds bag. You can also purchase 5 pounds and 20 pounds packs.

                                  Here are some Pros & Cons of this Product

PROS

• Contains nut and fruit
• High-energy food
• 10 pounds

CONS

• Not suitable for some feeders

5. Audubon Park 13189 Cardinal Blend Seed

This is the cheapest bird blend on our list to attract cardinals. Audubon Park 13189 is a blend of white proso millet, black oil sunflower seed, safflower seed, chipped sunflower seed, and gelatin. All of these ingredients are making it cardinal’s favorite treat. You can also attract chickadees, purple finches, titmice, and grosbeaks with this blend of seeds. You can offer this blend in a large-sized hanging basket feeder for the perfect results.

Breed type

It’s recommended for large breeds, but you can also use it to attract small and medium-sized breeds.

Safflower and sunflower

The blend contains more portions of safflower and sunflower seeds, which are the two favorite seeds of the cardinals.

Weight 

It’s a 2 pounds blend. You can also buy a pack of 4 or 6.

                                  Here are some Pros & Cons of this Product

PROS

• Cheapest
• 2 pounds

CONS

• Dropped shells can create the mess

What are the Best foods for Cardinals?

It’s easy to find the favorite food for cardinals as they live in suburban areas, small towns, woodlands, swamps, or farmlands. They don’t travel far for food and usually live in an area year-round. They love to eat the fruits such as cranberries, raisins, and cherries. So, any blend containing these fruits can be perfect for the cardinals. They like to enjoy the variety of seeds and fruit pieces as they can get tired of the same food over a long time. But the seed blends that contain the seeds that are too hard to bite won’t be appreciated. The ideal red cardinal food can be a combination of black oil sunflower seed along with safflower seeds and their favorite fruit pieces.

However, they can eat squash seeds and 39 other types of weed seeds. The thin shells of the oil sunflower seeds make them easy to crack for cardinals with their beaks. You can feed the safflower seeds to cardinals as it’s safe for them. One advantage of safflower seeds is that they discourage squirrels and house sparrows. So, the cardinals have less competition for these seeds at feeders.

How to choose the best seeds for cardinals?

• It’s a good idea to choose the seeds which can attract multiple wild bird species.
• You have to make sure the ingredients that cardinals like are not overshadowed by the ingredients they don’t care about.
• The additives such as millet, milo, and cracked corn only provide the flavor, not necessarily healthy benefits.
• Spicy bird seeds can attract cardinals. Birds don’t react to spicy seeds the way mammals do so it does no harm to them.
• It’s a good thing if the blend also contains minerals and vitamins as the birds need the energy to take their flight for the day.

5 Tips for attracting Cardinals to your Backyard

After buying the right seeds for cardinals make sure you are not doing any common mistakes. Read these tips to have maximum cardinals in your garden.

1. Choose the Right Location

The best place to attract cardinals is to place your feeder in a sunny location. Cardinals like to stay warm so they will spend most of their time basking in the sun.

2. Create a Nook for Cardinals to Rest In

Cardinals need someplace to rest so create a small nook in your garden where they can curl up and relax. Cardinals also like areas with plenty of leafy vegetation so provide them with plenty of shade and brush.

3. Add Plants and Flowers to your Garden

Cardinals love flowers that are bright, colorful, and have a strong scent. Some of the best flowers for cardinals include lilies, roses, and geraniums. Cardinals are attracted to things that are new and different so add some plants and flowers to your garden that even you haven’t seen before. This will give the cardinals something to explore and hopefully make them stay around longer.

4. Regularly refill your feeders

Suppose you are a bird, would you visit any place where you find empty feeders most of the time? obviously not! So make sure to regularly check and set a pattern to keep your feeders filled with seeds.

5. Place multiple feeders in your garden

place multiple feeders because it will attract more cardinals. Birds love to stay in places where they find plenty of food. If you place one feeder in your garden and expect birds to visit you, you are daydreaming. Wake up and buy multiple feeders for your backyard.

Conclusion

Attracting cardinals is easy if you follow the right strategy of choosing the best seeds and avoiding any common feeder mistakes that people do in their gardens. Add multiple feeders and plant colorful flowers in your garden. As mentioned before all the listed seeds are best for cardinals, you can choose any but “Meadow Ridge bird seeds” is our top choice.

The post The 5 Best Bird Seeds for Cardinals 2022 by BirdFeederist appeared first on BIRDFEEDERIST.

Rice is a cereal grain that is widely consumed in the world. It is made into flour, rice cakes, breakfast cereals, and other foods. However, there are some people who believe that rice should not be eaten by birds. This article will discuss whether or not rice can be eaten by birds.

How to prepare rice for birds?

• First of all, you have to choose the type of rice. You can buy short or long rice, white or brown rice, dry rice, seasoned rice, plain rice, rice pudding, rice crackers, and Rice Krispies.
• The shorter rice is good for short birds, and long rice is good for the bigger birds.
• Brown rice usually have greater nutrient than white rice and is the objectively healthier choice.
• Dry rice is ideal for the larger ground-feeding birds. Other birds may nibble a piece here and there and can’t digest it efficiently.
• The pre-cooked, unsalted, and unseasoned rice is a convenient option for the birds. Plain rice is always preferred as compared to salted, sugary, and other preservatives as they can have negative effects on avian physiology.
• You can simply boil or steam the rice without adding any salt or other seasonings. Don’t think about frying the rice as oils and other seasonings are not good for the birds.
• After boiling, you can add the other seeds or chopped fruit that is healthy for the birds.
• You can also prepare the puffed rice for your lovely feather friends. Simply take already cooked rice and dry them on a cloth or paper towel, and spread them onto a baking sheet. Place it in the oven for 2 hours at 50 degrees Celsius. Take it out, and the lovely crispy treat is ready for the birds.

Can baby birds choke on uncooked rice?

If you are doing it yourself, It’s better to avoid giving uncooked rice to baby birds. Naturally the chocking of baby birds on uncooked rice is highly unlikely. The baby birds usually eat the uncooked rice that their parents bring for them. Their parents usually crush the rice grains and mixed them with other food items before offering them to their chicks in the nest. So rice couldn’t cause any problem for the baby birds. Even the dove and pigeon babies eat the rice as a whole grain due to their large esophagus. Parent birds usually switch to a high-protein diet when they are raising the young in the nest. At this time, the majority of the food that parents bring for their chicks consists of insects and small vertebrates. Baby birds usually do not feed much on rice.

Is it better to soak or cook rice before feeding to the birds?

Whether you soak or cook rice before feeding to the birds, it’s your personal choice. Larger birds and other birds whose beaks allow them to crush the grain don’t have any problem with either type of rice. They don’t have any problem handling raw rice grains. You can offer the soaked or boiled rice to the birds when it is the kitchen leftover. The birds with a general diet such as grackles, blue jays, blackbirds, and starling like to eat soaked or boiled rice. So, you can feed rice to birds on any farm, as long as it’s not fried in fat or seasoned oil; even lightly salted rice can also be bad for small birds.

Which backyard birds like the uncooked rice?

Some birds especially like to eat uncooked rice, such as sparrows and finches. Even the cardinals can also crush the rice with their strong beaks. Many larger species such as pigeons, blue jays, grackles, blackbirds, crows, and woodpeckers can swallow the whole uncooked rice grains. Moreover, the quails, wild turkeys, and pheasants also like to eat a lot of rice. If you want to keep these large birds away from your selected feeder, you can provide them with a separate platform feeder with a lot of uncooked rice.

What vitamins and minerals can birds get from rice?

Birds can get many essential vitamins from rice, such as vitamin B1, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B9, and vitamin E. All these vitamins are beneficial for forming and maintaining their cells and DNA. They also get calcium, iron, magnesium, and selenium from rice. All these minerals work together to ensure the proper bone and beak formation of the birds.

Conclusion

Rice is healthy food for birds. Birds can eat it raw or cooked. In fact, it is one of the best foods you can offer to birds. The only confusion most people have is whether they should offer cooked or uncooked rice. As in the discussion, we cleared this point that both types of rice are ok for most birds. They can handle both cooked and uncooked rice on their own.

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No doubt that many birds have a sweet beak, and they often love fruit, sweet potatoes, and baked goodies. Once you start sharing random sweets things with them, they will start begging for everything you nibbling. But you have to think twice while you are sharing chocolate with your feather friends. Chocolate has many toxic ingredients, which may not immediately lead your bird to death, but many long-term and short-term health issues can arise.

Why is chocolate toxic for birds?

Chocolate contains many toxic ingredients for birds, including caffeine, and theobromine, which can increase the birds’ heart rate and cause hyperactivity, seizures, or tremors, and lead them to cardiac arrest. Some birds can also face vomiting and diarrhea due to chocolate. The darker chocolates are more toxic to birds as they contain more cocoa, which increases the toxicity of caffeine and theobromine.

Can birds eat chocolate cake?

No, don’t offer the chocolate cake to birds regardless of how tasty it is. It’s very harmful to the bird’s health. It contains many ingredients that are harmful to the birds, such as milk and sugar. Although sugar is good to enhance the bird’s metabolic process. Still, such a huge amount of sugar is not good for birds. Items that contain a huge amount of dairy can result in health problems for birds, especially digestive system issues.

Can nestling eat chocolate? 

No, you can’t feed the chocolate to nestlings as their resistance power is even lower than the grown birds. We should extremely take care when choosing the food for young birds. So, make sure not to provide chocolate or any chocolate products to nestlings. A small piece of chocolate can be the reason for their death.

Which bird can eat chocolate? 

Some wild bird species can eat chocolate but overall chocolate is not good for birds. It’s even quite toxic for many animals like canines and cats and additionally hazardous for birds. So, don’t provide chocolate to any type of bird if you care about their health and wellness.

What if your birds like the delicious chocolate?

Your pet may also fall for chocolate just like the dogs, but you have to understand that it’s very hazardous for them. You can buy any alternative food, like their favorite seeds. Don’t put their health at risk by offering them chocolate. If you love chocolate, keep it yourself.

Is white chocolate good for birds?

White chocolate doesn’t contain any cocoa powder as compared to darker chocolates. Dark chocolate is made from cacao beans that have been roasted and ground, while white chocolate is made from milk and sugar that is why white chocolate is sweeter and less bitter in taste. These chocolates actually contain cocoa butter, which is not called chocolate at all. However, it’s doesn’t mean that white chocolate is completely safe for birds. You have to know that it still contains milk and sugar, which is unhealthy for birds.

Can wild birds consume chocolate?

No, chocolate is toxic to them as well. Wild birds are also birds and can develop digestive issues due to chocolate. Yes, wild birds have a stronger digestive system as they eat different things in the wild. But still, they are not all set for milk and chocolate. However, research has shown that some species of wild birds can consume chocolate without any ill effects. It’s better to avoid as you are actually doing more bad than good by offering them chocolate.

What if your bird mistakenly eats chocolate?

If your bird mistakenly eats chocolate and seems ill, it is best to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. Take a closer look at your bird if it shows any signs of illness. Especially for the next hour if your bird shows any added behavior or symptoms. Don’t waste any more time and visit an avian vet near you.

If the chocolate was high in cocoa or your bird ate it more than a nibble, you should take your bird to the avian vet or at least give them a call so they can advise you better. If you notice any serious symptoms, do an emergency visit to your avian vet.

What if my bird eats chocolate and is fine?

If your bird consumes chocolate and appears to be fine, Maybe your bird can handle some amount of chocolate. There is no harm in giving them a little bit of chocolate. However, it is important to monitor your bird closely if they consume large amounts of chocolate because it could potentially cause health problems.

People usually give a lick of their chocolate ice cream or a nibble of their candy bar to birds and didn’t notice any ill effects. After that, they assume that their bird doesn’t have any issue with the chocolate. It’s a wrong assumption as many birds face the increased heart rate without showing any sign. Even repeated exposure to these types of toxin foods can lead your bird to death. You have to understand that you are putting your bird at risk every time you feed chocolate to your bird.

What if chocolate is a minor ingredient? 

Even if chocolate is found to be a minor ingredient. The small amount of chocolate in the food doesn’t mean that it’s good for birds. It’s still human food and shouldn’t be offered to birds. Bird’s digestive system can’t handle the same type of food that we eat. They have a very small size, and small amounts of sugar, caffeine, artificial flavoring, and coloring can have a big impact on their health.

How much chocolate can eliminate the bird?

A small amount of chocolate can kill a bird; even a 2gm of delicious chocolate is dangerous for birds. A couple of delightful chocolate bites can put your bird’s life at risk. It also depends upon the type of chocolate you are feeding to your bird. The ordinary percent of the Choco is less harmful to the birds. However, dark chocolate is an extremely bad option for the birds as it contains high cocoa.

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the specific bird and its diet. However, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, “chocolate contains a high level of caffeine which can be harmful to some birds.” Thus, it is recommended that small birds avoid eating chocolate altogether. Larger birds may be able to digest some of the chocolate, but should still avoid ingesting large amounts.

What to do when the birds beg for chocolate?

When the birds beg for chocolate, it can be hard to say no. But what do you do when they keep coming back? The people who share their snacks with birds find it difficult to stop themselves from sharing the chocolate. But you have to stop yourself even when your bird begs for chocolate, no matter how charming and insistent they act. The best thing you can do is not to consume the chocolate in front of them. Instead of chocolate, you can offer them their favorite seeds such as sunflower seed, almond, or apple slices.

Conclusion 

Chocolate is a delicious treat for humans but can be dangerous for birds. Birds can become ill or even die from eating chocolate. Chocolate contains high levels of sugar and other chemicals which can be harmful to birds’ health. Whether we are pet bird owners or feeding the wild birds in our garden, we should learn about their food. They are not smart enough to know which food is good for their health. We have to put some effort into providing them with their essential and healthy food. Chocolate is one of the most harmful food for the birds as it contains toxic caffeine and theobromine, which are detrimental to their health.

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You may have also noticed that many bird food mixes contain corn kernels. In fact, many birds love to eat popcorn. However, one warning is that many microwave popcorn brands come with additional coated unhealthy ingredients, which are not good for the birds at all. So, make sure to only give plain popcorn to birds. Let’s know more about the bird’s popcorn eating.

Can parrots eat popped popcorn?

Absolutely yes, parrots can eat popcorn. There is no reason that you can’t offer popcorn to parrots. Just make sure they don’t have any sweeteners, butter, salt, or other sprinkled-on flavors. So, if you are planning to offer the popcorn to parrots, use a separate bowl, which doesn’t have any flavor enhancers.

Can birds eat popcorn kernels? 

No, you can’t offer kernels directly. Many people think that corn kernels can be offered to birds. But they have to understand that popcorn kernels are extremely dangerous for birds to eat. These kernels can cause choking hazards and can lead the birds to serious health issues, especially baby birds.

However, you can boil the kernels, before offering them to birds. There are no dietary reasons that your birds can’t eat them if you soften them up. Just make sure that these are soft enough to provide to the birds. Soft kernels are easy to eat and will not cause any choking hazards.

Can birds eat microwave popcorn?

If you have bought a popcorn bag from a store, there are plenty of chances that your bird can’t eat it. Yes, they can eat the popcorn itself, but not the plenty of additional stuff that is applied to popcorn for the enchantment of taste. So, the best option is to buy the kernels and pop them yourself, and keep them plain.

Can birds eat butter popcorn? 

No, they will eat it but it’s not good for them. As a bird owner, you can feed popcorn to your lovely friends, but not the buttered popcorn and other popcorn with additives. Unfortunately, the tiny and delicate digestive system of the birds can’t withstand the rich lactose content and high-fat butter. Butter popcorns can cause digestive issues such as stomach upset, constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lethargy. In addition, they also increase cholesterol deposits and promote obesity and a high risk of heart diseases. Obesity can lead the bird to death as it prevents them from doing their regular functions and flying activities.

Can outdoor birds eat popcorn?

Yes, outdoors birds both small and large birds can eat popcorn, but it’s not recommended. Especially commercially available flavored Popcorn is high in sugar and salt, which can be harmful to birds. Additionally, popcorn kernels can be a choking hazard for small birds. The best way to offer is to offer a small amount of plain popcorn. If you want to offer kernels, boil them before placing them in front of birds. As soft kernels will not cause any problem for birds.

Is plain popcorn OK for birds?

Yes, plain popcorns are best for birds. As we have already discussed salted or buttered popcorn is not good for birds at all. Humans can consume such popcorn but birds’ tiny digest systems can’t handle such a high amount of sugar or salt.

Benefits of Popcorn for birds

You might be thinking about how beneficial is popcorn for birds. It actually has many health benefits for them. They contain tons of antioxidants, fiber, iron, calcium, and carbohydrates. All of these things are perfect for birds to stay healthy. Moreover, popcorn is low in calories and fat, making them a healthy snack for your feathered friends. So, don’t hesitate about giving them this tasty snack.

Conclusion 

You can share the popcorn with pet or garden birds while sitting for an afternoon snack or a movie. But make sure that they are free from salt, sweeteners, and other additives. Pain popcorn may not be the best food for your bird, it can be eaten with caution. It is important to make sure that your bird does not eat too much of it or else it could become sick. Simply, don’t overdo it, and keep the popcorn as a treat as it’s doesn’t meet any of their nutritional needs.

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Is it safe for birds to eat grapes?

Grapes are completely safe for birds as they are neither poisonous nor dangerous to birds. This delicious fruit contains a significant amount of fructose. Make sure you don’t overfeed grapes to birds as they can gain weight due to fruit sugar. Pesticides are also found in grapes, which can lead them to certain health risks. So make sure to wash them before offering them to birds to ensure that they are free from pesticides. The waxy covering of the grapes has more chances of containing pesticides.

Can wild birds eat grapes? 

Yes, wild birds can eat grapes. These are completely safe for wild birds to eat. However, make sure to provide them in moderation as they contain high sugar content. You can only add the grapes as a treat to the bird’s diet to prevent them from any side effects. They can improve the vigor of the birds. But make sure to don’t give them daily, especially to small birds.

What types of birds consume grapes?

Many birds love to eat sweet grapes. Especially, the blackbirds adore grapes and love to eat the ripe grapes. They enjoyed the grapes by both blue and coal tits. However, if peanuts are available, they prefer peanuts instead of grapes. Birds that love to eat the grapes include the woodpeckers, bluebirds, catbirds, grosbeaks, tanagers, and robins. Moreover, many common British birds also like to eat the grapes, such as blackbirds, thrushes, and tits.

What are the benefits of grapes for birds?  

Grapes are high in healthy minerals and vitamins and offer many advantages to birds. They contain many beneficial antioxidants, which improve immunity and boost gene activity. The high potassium level of the grapes aids in decreasing blood pressure and avoiding heart diseases in birds. They eliminate the extra toxins from the body and maintain a healthy electrolyte balance. You don’t have to peel grapes as their skin and seeds contain a bulk of antioxidants. Grapes lower the quantity of inflammatory protein and higher the number of protective proteins, which aids in the good health of the bird’s retina.

How do you choose grapes for birds? 

You can choose the variety of grapes for birds as the birds are not picky about them. Both red and white grapes are edible to them. It’s a favorite food for birds. You can also split the grapes in half, but the difficulty is that these can decay rapidly. Make sure to detach the grapes from the stem, especially in the summer season, and don’t put them all in your feeder at once. Once the birds have eaten the first batch, you can add more.

How do you feed the grapes to birds? 

Birds don’t care about the color of grapes; they can be either red or white. The juicy and refreshing flavor of the grapes is very attractive to birds. The half-cut grape is more attractive to birds, but it will decay fast. Make sure to wash the grapes after removing them from the stalk, and offer them only a handful at a time, especially in hot summer, as they can rapidly be spoiled in these conditions. You can offer the grapes to birds in the feeder or sprinkle some grapes on the ground for ground-feeding birds. Make sure your canine member doesn’t have access to grapes as these are poisonous to them. Many birds leave the grapes if seed feeders are available nearby. So, make sure you don’t have any well stocked seed feeder nearby while offering the grapes to birds.

Conclusion 

Grapes are one of the acceptable soft and nutritious fruit for birds. You can offer grapes to birds as a nutritional treat to introduce the new flavors to the bird’s diet. Birds love to eat this tasty fruit. Usually, they avoid eating grapes in the presence of seed feeders. You can offer the grapes to birds in a variety of ways. However, you should be aware as small birds can’t digest the grape seeds.

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