If you are a bird lover, you may have witnessed birds in and around a local strawberry patch or foraging in an area of wild strawberry bushes. Is this activity random or coincidental, or can birds eat strawberries?
Can birds eat Strawberries?
Yes, birds can eat strawberries. Birds will eat wild strawberries from your garden and even strawberries offered at bird feeders. Strawberries are packed with loads of nutrients that are essential to a bird’s health. Birds that eat strawberries include most fruit-eating birds, such as Orioles, Finches, Woodpeckers, Blackbirds, Parrots, and Cockatoos.
Some people need clarification about offering strawberries as food to pets and backyard birds. Food for humans is only sometimes good for birds and other animals, so understandably, some people hesitate to offer strawberries to their birds.
Let’s dive into the facts about birds eating strawberries.
Are Strawberries Good For Birds To Eat?
Strawberries contain many healthy nutrients, but not all birds will eat strawberries.
Strawberries have nothing in them that is harmful to birds, but for some birds, this is not a tempting meal.
A general rule of thumb regarding berries for birds is that if the berries are good for people, they are also suitable for birds. Strawberries fall into this category, along with mulberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
Strawberries are rich in the following:
- Vitamin C
- Antioxidants
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Folic acid
- Fiber
All these nutrients are great for a bird’s health and are also beneficial for its eyesight, heart, and vascular health. Strawberries also contain good water volumes, which helps keep birds hydrated.
Can Birds Eat Too Many Strawberries?
There is a phrase that I am sure we have all heard our parents say; “too much of something good is bad for you!” This phrase is valid for birds and strawberries as well.
Because birds enjoy the taste of these fruits, they can easily over-indulge and eat too many. This situation is not particularly harmful to the birds, but they can develop diarrhea from eating too many strawberries.
To prevent this possibility, you should put out only a few strawberries at a time for your birds, and they should be included with other food items to give the birds variety.
Can All Birds Eat Strawberries?
Strawberries are good for birds, but not all birds will eat this fruit. Grain and fruit-eating backyard birds will be attracted to strawberries offered at a bird feeder or on the strawberry plants in your garden or wild.
Most insectivorous birds will not be interested in strawberries and will not visit your garden to eat the strawberry fruit. Cardinals and flycatchers are two examples of birds that are not interested in eating strawberries.
Can Pet Birds Eat Strawberries?
Pet birds can eat strawberries, and certain birds, such as parrots, cockatoos, and cockatiels, will consider this a special treat.
What Wild Birds eat Strawberries?
Most grain and fruit-eating birds will eat strawberries in the wild, in your garden, or at a bird feeder. Here is a list of the most common wild birds that eat strawberries:
- Orioles
- Blackbirds
- Robins
- Grackles
- Chickadees
- Thrushes
- Mockingbirds
- Grosbeaks
- Woodpeckers
- Wrens
- Hummingbirds
The hummingbirds are not big enough to eat the actual fruit but are attracted to the sweet strawberry juice that runs out of the fruit.
How To Feed Strawberries To Backyard Birds
We know that wild birds can eat strawberries, but how can you offer strawberries to your feathered friends?
There are two main methods of offering strawberries to your neighborhood birds.
You can grow a strawberry plant and allow the birds to help themselves to the fruit when it appears, or you can offer fresh strawberries in a feeder.
Free access to strawberry crops may be convenient, but depending on where you live, you won’t get fruit all year round, or you may not get any fruit at all.
Strawberries in bird feeders are a great option, but you must take care that the strawberries are all eaten within a day to prevent the development of mold on the fruit. The type of feeder you use is also essential.
Platform feeders, fruit feeders, and suet cages are all great options but take care of where you place them. Larger animals, such as squirrels and raccoons, will be tempted to raid your feeder if they can reach them.
It’s also a good idea to wash your feeder after feeding strawberries because the strawberry juice will attract ants.
Tip:
Mold can be deadly to birds, so if you have old strawberries in your kitchen that are starting to develop mold, do not give them to wild birds or pet birds. The best way to dispose of these old strawberries is to compost them or throw them in the trash.
What Pet Birds eat Strawberries
Most, if not all, common pet birds will eat strawberries if offered. Here is a list of pet birds that eat strawberries:
- Parrots
- Parrotlets (pocket parrots)
- Cockatoos
- Cockatiels
- Lovebirds
- Finches
- Canaries
- Budgies
- Parakeets
- Conures
How to Serve Strawberries to Pet birds
There are different methods for preparing strawberries and serving strawberries. Giving your pet birds fresh organic strawberries is vital to avoid pesticides and mold.
We know from experience that organic strawberries can be pretty expensive, so you can always opt for non-organic ones to save some money, but be sure to give them a good wash before serving.
Large pet birds such as parrots and cockatoos can be given a whole strawberry since they have the skill to hold the fruit and bite off pieces as they eat.
Fresh strawberries can also be cut into quarters to offer to small birds and then cut again into even smaller pieces for tiny birds such as finches.
If you give your birds fresh strawberries, be sure to clean up any chunks of leftover strawberries from the bottom of the cage. You don’t want these pieces to sit in the cage and develop mold, which can harm your bird.
Another method of feeding strawberries to your birds is to offer them dried strawberries. The dried versions provide the same nutritional value as other fruits but with less mess to clean up afterward in your bird’s cage.
Giving your bird a couple of strawberries as an occasional treat 3 or 4 times a week is best instead of part of the daily meal. Giving them too much strawberry may disrupt their digestion and cause diarrhea.
What parts of the strawberry can birds eat?
All parts of the strawberry are edible for birds. Wild and pet birds can eat the seeds, leaves, and fruit. But we suggest taking off the leaves before feeding them to your bird as they can contain hidden toxins.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can birds eat strawberry seeds?
Yes, birds can eat strawberry seeds. The seeds are a great source of fiber and protein for your feathered friends.
Can birds eat strawberry leaves?
Yes, birds can eat strawberry leaves, but we suggest washing the fruit first or taking off the leaves before feeding them to your bird, as they contain hidden toxins.
Can birds eat strawberry flowers?
Yes, birds can eat strawberry flowers. Strawberry flowers are a great source of vitamins and minerals for your feathered friends.
Do baby birds eat strawberries?
Yes, baby birds can eat strawberries but usually only when the parents regurgitate them.
Do birds eat Strawberry Jam?
No, birds should not eat strawberry jam or any other jam. Jam is usually full of sugar and other preservatives that can harm your feathered friends. Instead, you can offer your birds fresh or dried strawberries for a healthy treat.
Do birds eat Dried Strawberries?
Yes, birds can eat dried strawberries. Dried strawberries provide the same nutritional value as fresh ones but with less mess to clean up afterward in your bird’s cage. Just ensure they don’t contain added sugars or preservatives that could harm your feathered friends.
So, Can birds eat strawberries?
Birds can eat strawberries, which can be a very healthy treat. They offer good nutrients and can help maintain a bird’s healthy diet.
Nothing in any part of the strawberry plant can be harmful to birds, and you can offer fresh strawberries to many pet birds and wild birds without worry.
It is vital to ensure your birds have access to fresh strawberries free from pesticides and mold.
If you grow strawberries or feed strawberries to your birds, let us know! We would love to hear from you and share your experience with our readers.
Remember to check our other blog posts for more information about birds and nature. Also, remember to share this article with your friends, family, and fellow bird lovers!
