Peanuts are a highly valued food source for many wild bird species, offering a concentrated boost of energy and fat that is particularly beneficial during colder months or the intensive breeding season. These legumes contain approximately 45% fat and 24% protein, providing the necessary calories to sustain birds when natural food sources are scarce. Successfully feeding peanuts requires understanding which birds are attracted to them and how to present them safely and effectively.
Identifying the Main Bird Species Attracted to Peanuts
Peanuts appeal to a wide spectrum of birds, from small clinging species to larger foragers, depending on the form in which the peanuts are offered. Woodpeckers, such as the Downy and Hairy species, utilize their strong bills and clinging ability to extract pieces from mesh feeders. Nuthatches, including the Red-breasted and White-breasted varieties, also favor shelled peanut kernels, often grabbing a piece to wedge into tree bark for later consumption.
Tits and Chickadees, like the Black-capped and Carolina species, are smaller birds that frequently visit peanut feeders, taking small fragments to process elsewhere. Their size allows them to feed quickly, conserving energy in the process. For these smaller birds, pre-shelled peanut pieces or granules are easier to manage.
Larger corvids, such as Blue Jays, Steller’s Jays, and Crows, are strongly attracted to peanuts, particularly those still in the shell. Their robust bills are perfectly suited for cracking the hard outer layer to access the nutmeat inside. Jays are well-known for their caching behavior, often carrying multiple whole, unshelled peanuts away to bury or hide. Ground-feeding birds like finches, sparrows, and robins can also benefit, provided the nuts are finely chopped or crushed.
Optimal Presentation: Peanuts in Different Forms and Feeders
Shelled peanut kernels, which are the most common form sold for birds, are best served in specialized wire mesh feeders. This design forces the birds to peck at the nuts through the mesh, preventing them from carrying off large, whole pieces, which is safer for smaller species.
Unshelled, whole peanuts are better suited for larger birds like Jays and Crows, who can handle the shell. These are typically offered in tray or platform feeders where the birds can easily select and manipulate the nuts. Offering whole peanuts on a stable surface also encourages the caching behavior natural to corvids.
Peanut granules or finely chopped pieces are excellent for smaller birds, including Wrens and Finches, who struggle with larger nuts. These can be mixed into a seed blend or scattered on a platform feeder. Peanut butter should be unsalted and smeared into the crevices of a log feeder, or mixed with cornmeal to reduce stickiness, as thick, raw peanut butter can pose a risk to their beaks and throats.
Essential Safety Guidelines for Feeding Peanuts
The primary safety concern when feeding peanuts is the potential presence of Aflatoxin, a highly toxic compound produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus that contaminates peanuts grown and stored improperly. This potent liver toxin can be fatal to birds, even at low concentrations. To mitigate this risk, always purchase “aflatoxin-tested” or “human-grade” peanuts specifically intended for bird feeding from a reputable supplier.
It is important to ensure peanuts remain completely dry, as moisture promotes the growth of this dangerous mold. Feeders should be placed under cover and only filled with a quantity of peanuts that birds can consume within a few days to prevent spoilage. Never offer peanuts that appear discolored, dark, or dusty, as these are signs of possible mold contamination.
Birds should never be given salted, seasoned, or roasted peanuts intended for human consumption. High levels of sodium are harmful to a bird’s physiology and can lead to dehydration or kidney failure. Whole peanuts should not be fed directly to small birds during nesting season, as large pieces pose a potential choking hazard to nestlings.