LIFESTYLE NEWS - The sound of birds chirping in the garden has always been synonymous with warm, sunny days for me. 

And now that spring is (finally!) here, it’s all the more reason to put those food scraps to good use by feeding them to birds.

Offering kitchen scraps to garden birds is not only a great way to minimise waste but also to save on bird food costs. However, it’s essential to know which scraps are safe.

Safe kitchen scraps for garden birds

Fruit: Many birds, like finches and starlings, love fruit. Bruised apples, pears, and bananas are perfect; just chop them into small pieces or skewer them on branches. Dried fruit, like raisins or currants, can also be soaked in water and offered.

Vegetables: Birds such as sparrows and finches enjoy peas, sweetcorn, and even cooked potatoes. These vegetables provide essential nutrients and can be a tasty supplement to their diet.

Nuts: While we often think of peanuts for birds, many species will also eat other nuts like pecans, walnuts, and almonds. Ensure these are unsalted and crushed into small pieces to avoid choking hazards. 

Cheese: Mild cheddar is a fantastic source of fat. Grate it to make it easy for birds to eat. Avoid stronger, saltier cheeses, as salt can be harmful to birds.

Cooked pasta and rice: These are great for grain-eating birds like sparrows. Just ensure they’re plain and unsalted, and chop them into bite-sized pieces.

Cereal: Plain cereals like raw oats are a good option. Avoid those with added sugar or chocolate, and offer them dry.

Meat: Fat trimmings from unsalted bacon or leftover cooked meat can be a valuable protein source. Just be cautious, as these can attract other wildlife (i.e. the neighbour’s curious cat), so it’s best to place them in a bird feeder.

Cooked eggs and eggshells: Eggs are packed with nutrients, and their shells provide much-needed calcium, especially during nesting season. Crush the shells finely and offer them alongside other scraps.

Pet food: Wet cat or dog food can be a good protein source, especially for birds that eat insects. If using dry food, crush it and moisten it with water to make it easier for birds to eat.

Photo: Pexels

What to avoid

While many kitchen scraps are safe, some can be harmful:

• Salt: Birds cannot process salt, and it can be toxic to them. Avoid offering any salty foods.
• Milk: Birds are lactose intolerant, so never offer milk or dairy-heavy foods.
• Chocolate: Toxic to birds, never leave chocolate or foods containing cocoa outside.
• Avocado: Contains persin, which can be harmful to birds.
• Mouldy or rancid food: Just like humans, birds can get sick from spoiled food. Only offer fresh, safe scraps.

Photo: Pexels

"It says that you can feed birds cheese. This is quite controversial because birds are known to be lactose-intolerant – see https://birdsittingtoronto.ca/cheese-ingestion-not-okay-for-birds/ and other sources. Other sources say its okay as long as the cheese has low levels of lactose in it. Not sure where the answer lies but it seems to be unanimous that cheeses with lots of lactose can be dangerous for birds. So, suggesting that birds can be fed cheese is a little risky, unless it is stated clearly that birds are lactose-intolerant and that lactose-free cheese or cheeses with very low lactose levels should be okay, according to the experts. - Arne Witt

Read more on Caxton publication, Garden & Home

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