Many garden and balcony owners ask themselves the question in winter or during the breeding season: Can I feed birds oatmeal? The answer is yes, but with caution. Oatmeal can be a valuable part of bird feeding—provided it is offered correctly.
Do birds eat oatmeal: How to feed birds properly
Don’t worry – you can continue to feed the feathered visitors to your garden or balcony with oatmeal. Many species of birds love to eat oatmeal. It is not indigestible or even dangerous to mix oatmeal into bird feed.
- However, only use unsweetened, natural oatmeal.
Sweetened varieties or those with salt, spices, or additives such as raisins or chocolate are unsuitable and can be harmful to the health of birds.
- Place the oatmeal in a dry place protected from the weather, e.g., in a bird feeder or on a sheltered balcony. Moisture promotes mold growth and makes the food inedible.
- Mix the oatmeal with a little vegetable oil (e.g., sunflower oil). This prevents it from clumping and keeps it loose. This prevents the flakes from sticking to the beak or throat.
Birds eat oatmeal – but not all of them like it equally
Wild birds such as blackbirds, titmice, sparrows, robins, and nuthatches enjoy oatmeal, especially during the cold season when energy-rich food is scarce. However, different bird species have different eating habits:
- Soft food eaters such as blackbirds or robins prefer oatmeal and fruit. But garden birds such as wrens, titmice, nuthatches, and woodpeckers will also enjoy oatmeal.
- Grain eaters such as finches and sparrows prefer sunflower seeds, millet, and other seeds—they are more likely to accept oatmeal as a supplementary food.
- Therefore, a mixture of oatmeal, grains, and chopped nuts is recommended in order to appeal to as many species as possible.
