Many birds naturally forage for fruits and berries. Offering fruit at feeders can attract a wider array of species, providing supplementary nutrition, especially when natural food sources are scarce.
Fruits Birds Prefer
Many bird species readily consume a variety of fruits. Robins, orioles, waxwings, and thrushes are among the more familiar fruit-eating birds that commonly visit feeders. Gray catbirds, woodpeckers, tanagers, grosbeaks, jays, and finches also frequently enjoy fruit offerings.
Apples are a popular choice, attracting birds such as bluebirds, cardinals, and cedar waxwings. Oranges are particularly favored by orioles and tanagers, especially during spring and summer, and can also draw bluebirds, robins, and thrashers. Berries, including blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, are a top choice for many birds due to their small size and sweet taste.
Grapes offer a quick energy boost due to their natural sugars, appealing to species like bluebirds, catbirds, and woodpeckers. Bananas, with their soft texture and energy-boosting sugars, are another suitable option for many birds. Cherries, plums, peaches, and apricots can also be offered, provided their pits are removed. Papaya and cantaloupe are tropical fruits that offer different flavors and textures. Dried fruits, such as raisins and currants, are convenient options; however, they should be soaked in water before being offered to rehydrate them and make them easier for birds to consume.
How to Offer Fruit Safely
Always wash fresh fruit thoroughly to remove any pesticides or chemicals that could be harmful. Cutting fruit into small, bite-sized pieces is important to minimize choking hazards and make consumption easier for birds of various sizes. For larger fruits like apples or oranges, removing seeds and pits is a necessary step before offering.
Fruit can be placed on platform or tray feeders, which allow birds easy access. Suet cages can also be repurposed to hold larger fruit chunks, while halved oranges can be impaled on special feeders or branches. It is generally advised to avoid placing fruit directly on the ground, as this can attract rodents and other unwanted wildlife. Offering fruit in a washable bowl helps contain it and makes cleaning simpler.
Fruit can spoil quickly, especially in warm weather, leading to mold and bacterial growth. Uneaten fruit should be removed after a few hours, ideally within 24-48 hours, to prevent spoilage and discourage pests. Regular cleaning of fruit feeders is important, ideally every two weeks or when visibly dirty, using a solution of nine parts water to one part bleach, followed by a thorough rinse and air drying.
Fruits to Avoid
Certain types or parts of fruits can be harmful or toxic to birds and should be avoided. Avocado is highly toxic to most bird species due to a fungicidal toxin called persin. This substance is present in all parts of the avocado plant, including the flesh, skin, and pit, and can cause respiratory distress, heart failure, and even death in birds.
Apple seeds, along with the pits of stone fruits like cherries, peaches, plums, and apricots, contain trace amounts of cyanide. While the fruit flesh itself is safe, these seeds and pits must be removed before offering the fruit to birds to prevent poisoning. Tomato leaves and stems contain solanine, a substance that can cause digestive upset and weakness, so only the ripe fruit pulp should be offered. Onions and garlic, in any form, can lead to digestive problems and anemia in birds. Chocolate is also toxic to birds and should never be given to them.
Nutritional Value of Fruit for Birds
Fruit provides birds with beneficial nutrients for their overall health and energy levels. They are a source of natural sugars, offering a quick and accessible form of energy, which is particularly useful for active birds or during periods of high demand like migration. Fruit also contains various vitamins, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K, which support functions such as eyesight, immune system strength, and overall vitality.
Beyond vitamins, fruit offers minerals and antioxidants that help protect bird cells from damage. The water content in many fruits also contributes to hydration, especially during warmer weather or in dry environments. While fruit is a beneficial supplement, it should be offered as part of a varied diet, complementing other natural food sources like insects, seeds, and nectar.