Can birds eat strawberries? This is a question that many bird enthusiasts have. The answer is yes, wild birds can eat strawberries. They benefit from the nutrition found in this tasty fruit, and will eat them straight from the plant or presented to them by nice birders like you!
In this blog post, we will discuss what kinds of birds will eat fresh strawberries, are strawberries good for wild birds, how to put out strawberries for birds, and what portion of the strawberry will birds eat.
So if you’re interested in offering strawberries to your feathered friends, read on!
By the way, if you click on a link and then make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
- Are Strawberries Safe for Wild Birds?
- What Part of the Strawberry will Birds Eat?
- What Types of Wild Birds will Eat Strawberries?
- How Should Strawberries be Cleaned Before Feeding to the Birds?
- Do Baby Birds Eat Strawberries?
- What is the Best Way to Offer Strawberries to Birds?
- Other Fruits That Wild Birds will Eat
- Will Birds Harm Strawberry Crops?
- FAQ
- Conclusion: Can Birds Eat Strawberries?
Are Strawberries Safe for Wild Birds?
You might be surprised to know that strawberries are actually good for wild birds. One of the main reasons why birds like strawberries are because they are a good source of food.
Strawberries are not only a good source of food, but they are also a good source of water. The water content in strawberries helps to keep birds hydrated, which is especially important during the hot summer months.
In addition to being a good source of food and water, strawberries also contain vitamins and minerals that are essential for bird health. For example, strawberries are a good source of vitamin C, which is important for immune system health, and they also contain potassium, which is important for proper nerve function.
What Part of the Strawberry will Birds Eat?
When you look at a strawberry, it’s easy to see why birds would be interested in eating it. The soft flesh is a tempting treat, and the tiny strawberry seeds are a perfect snack.
But what about the green stem? It turns out that birds eat strawberry leaves, too. They are just as likely to eat the stem as the fruit. In fact, the stem is an important part of the strawberry for many birds. The green stem is full of nutrients that help the bird to grow and stay healthy.
So, when you see a bird eating strawberries, don’t be surprised if it eats the whole thing – flesh, tiny seeds, stem, and all!
What Types of Wild Birds will Eat Strawberries?
Many species of birds in the U.S. will eat strawberries, including these wild birds:
- Blue jay
- Robin
- Baltimore Oriole
- Starling
- House finch
- House wren
- Northern cardinal
- Scarlet tanager
- Brown thrasher
- Tufted titmouse
How Should Strawberries be Cleaned Before Feeding to the Birds?
You should always clean strawberries before feeding them to the birds, especially if you do not have organic strawberries. The easiest way to do this is to rinse them in cool water.
You can also soak them in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water for about 15 minutes. This will help to remove any harmful bacteria that may be present on the fruit.
After cleaning the berries, you might want to cut them in half so they’ll go further. You certainly can put out the whole strawberry if you wish, but that’s up to you.
Remember to leave the stem intact as there are nutrients in it that are beneficial to the birds.
Do Baby Birds Eat Strawberries?
Baby birds will eat strawberries, as well as whatever else their parents bring back to the nest for them. Baby birds have very small stomachs, so they need to eat frequently. Their diet consists mostly of insects and other small invertebrates.
However, their parents will also regurgitate partially digested food for them. This regurgitated food is called “crop milk” and it is full of nutrients that help the baby birds grow.
What is the Best Way to Offer Strawberries to Birds?
You may be wondering what the best way is to offer fresh strawberries to your feathered friends. Should you put them on a platform bird feeder, in a suet feeder, or on the ground? The answer may surprise you: all of these options can work well, depending on the type of bird you are trying to attract.
Platform bird feeders are great for attracting perching birds, such as bluebirds and woodpeckers. It’s simple and easy to add the sliced strawberries to the feeder.
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Suet feeders are ideal for attracting insect-eating birds, such as nuthatches and chickadees. Keep the chunks of strawberries a bit larger so they’ll stay in the feeder.
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Fruit feeders can be used to attract a variety of birds, including robins and orioles. And if you’re feeling generous, you can always put them out on the ground for any bird that happens by.
Ultimately, the best way to offer strawberries to birds is whichever way will get them eaten!
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Other Fruits That Wild Birds will Eat
Wild birds are often found near fruit trees and bushes, as they enjoy eating the fruits that these plants produce. There are many different types of fresh fruits that wild birds will eat, including berries, cherries, grapes, and oranges.
In addition to being a source of food, fresh fruit can also provide wild birds with water. Wild birds usually eat small fruits whole, but larger fruits may be broken into smaller pieces before being eaten.
While some wild birds are very selective about the types of fruits they eat, others will eat almost any type of fruit. As a result, providing a variety of different types of fruits is the best way to attract a wide variety of wild birds to your yard.
Will Birds Harm Strawberry Crops?
You may have noticed that birds love to eat strawberries, and we’ve discussed why that is throughout this article. And you may have also wondered if this means they will harm your strawberry crops.
In general, birds don’t destroy strawberry plants, particularly in larger commercial fields. Sometimes they can actually help to improve the health of the plants. Birds eat insects that can damage the fruit, and their droppings add nutrients to the soil.
However, there are a few things you can do to discourage backyard birds from eating the fruit from your garden strawberry plants. Netting is one option, but you can also try hanging shiny objects or playing sounds that scare birds away.
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FAQ
What kind of birds will eat strawberries?
A variety of birds will eat strawberries, including bluebirds, woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, robins, and orioles.
Are strawberries good for wild birds?
Yes! You can feed strawberries to wild birds. They provide nutrients that help the birds grow and stay healthy.
How should I put out strawberries for birds?
You can put out sliced or whole strawberries on a platform bird feeder, in a suet feeder, or on the ground. Ultimately, the best way to offer strawberries to birds is whichever way will get them eaten!
What portion of the strawberry will birds eat?
Birds will eat all parts of the strawberry: the stem, the leaves, the fruit, and the seeds. They often eat small fruits whole, but larger fruits may be broken into smaller pieces before being eaten.
Conclusion: Can Birds Eat Strawberries?
Strawberries are a popular fruit for people and wild birds alike. As we’ve learned, many species of our feathered friends enjoy them. So, feel free to offer this luscious fruit when it’s available to you!