How to Feed Backyard Birds? Top 7 Foods They Love.
- mktpromeal
- Sep 23
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 25
Birds are among the most delightful guests you can invite into your backyard. Their chirping wakes you up with joy, their fluttering wings bring energy to dull mornings, and their presence connects us with nature in our busy lives. But attracting them takes more than just putting out random food scraps.
Birds have specific dietary needs depending on their size, beak shape, and natural behavior. Some prefer grains, others fruits, while insect-eaters look for protein-rich meals. By offering the right mix of foods, you not only attract them but also support their health, nesting, and breeding cycles.
Below is a detailed guide to the top 7 foods birds love and why adding them to your backyard will make it a buzzing paradise of feathers and songs.
1. Grains and Seeds
Grains and seeds are the most common and widely accepted food for backyard birds. Millet, sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and rice are especially loved by sparrows, finches, pigeons, and doves. These small foods are rich in carbohydrates, providing birds with instant energy for their active days. You can serve them in clay bowls, wooden trays, or hanging feeders. Ground-feeding birds like pigeons enjoy scattered seeds, while sparrows prefer small millet in feeders. Always keep seeds dry and fresh, as dampness can lead to fungal growth that harms birds.
2. Fresh Fruits
Fruits are a natural treat for many bird species. Bananas, papayas, apples, and mangoes provide quick energy through natural sugars and also keep birds hydrated. Bulbuls, mynas, parakeets, and crows are especially fond of them. Cut fruits into small pieces and place them in tray feeders or hang slices on skewers for easy pecking. During hot summer days, soft fruits like papaya and mango are ideal to refresh and energize birds. However, avoid citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges, since most backyard birds dislike their sourness.
3. Green Leafy Vegetables
Leafy greens may not be as common as seeds and fruits, but many birds enjoy them. Spinach, lettuce, mustard leaves, and fenugreek greens are highly beneficial, offering vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Parakeets, finches, and lovebirds find them especially appealing. Wash the leaves thoroughly to remove chemicals and pesticides, then hang them in small bunches or place them in shallow dishes. Greens are best offered in winter when natural foliage is less available. They also help improve digestion and feather quality.
4. Insects and Worms
Insects and worms are the most natural and protein-rich diet for birds. Mealworms, crickets, and grasshoppers are highly attractive, especially during breeding season when parent birds need to feed their chicks. Sparrows, robins, wagtails, bulbuls, and mynas thrive on them. You can offer live mealworms in smooth bowls so they don’t crawl out, or provide dried mealworms for easier handling. This high-protein food supports growth, immunity, and energy. Using safe, farm-raised options like Promeal’s live and dried insects ensures clean and healthy feeding.
5. Nuts and Peanuts
Nuts are rich in healthy fats and proteins, making them excellent energy boosters. Birds like parakeets, jays, and crows love cracking and eating nuts. Offer plain, unsalted peanuts, crushed almonds, or soaked cashews. Whole nuts work for bigger birds, while crushed ones suit smaller beak sizes. Nuts are especially helpful in winter when birds need extra calories to maintain body warmth. However, avoid salted, roasted, or flavored nuts, as these can be harmful to bird health.
6. Cooked Rice
Cooked rice is a simple and safe food for many urban birds. Plain boiled rice, without any oil, salt, or spices, is enjoyed by sparrows, crows, pigeons, and wagtails. Rice is easy to digest and provides instant energy, making it an everyday favorite. Serve it in flat trays or sprinkle it on the ground for easy access. This is especially helpful during winters and rainy days when natural food sources become scarce. Remember to remove leftovers quickly, as stale rice can attract insects and spoil.
7. Nectar and Flowers
Nectar-rich flowers and sugar-water feeders attract sunbirds and other flower-loving birds. Flowers like hibiscus, bottlebrush, and trumpet vine are natural nectar sources. You can also make a homemade nectar by mixing one part sugar with four parts water. Place it in special nectar feeders with small holes to mimic flower tubes. Nectar provides quick energy, which is important for fast-flying birds like sunbirds. Replace the nectar daily to keep it fresh, and never use honey, as it ferments and harms birds.
Don’t Forget Water
Food alone is not enough—fresh water is equally important for birds. They need it not only for drinking but also for bathing to keep their feathers clean. Place shallow bowls or stone bird baths in shaded corners of your backyard. Add small pebbles inside the water bowl to give smaller birds a safe perch. Change the water daily to avoid mosquito breeding. In summer, water can attract more birds than food itself, making it the most essential part of your bird-friendly backyard.
The Food Birds Love the Most
While birds enjoy a wide variety of foods, the one that truly excites them the most is insects and mealworms. Unlike seeds or grains, insects are a natural part of a bird’s wild diet and provide the protein and energy they need to stay active and healthy.
Why They Are Special:
High in Protein: Perfect for muscle growth, feather strength, and daily energy needs.
Chick Feeding: Parent birds like sparrows and mynas prefer mealworms for their chicks, as they are soft, easy to digest, and packed with nutrients.
Natural Instincts: Birds such as bulbuls and robins quickly recognize wriggling worms as food and get excited, often swooping down immediately.
Boosted Health: Regular access to insects helps improve immunity, stamina, and overall well-being in both small and large birds.
Common Birds That Love Insects & Mealworms:
House Sparrows: Often feed mealworms to their young during breeding season.
Mynas: Actively hunt insects and quickly gather around mealworm trays.
Bulbuls: Enjoy a mix of fruits and insects but show extra enthusiasm for mealworms.
Robins & Wagtails: Naturally insect-eating birds, they thrive on worms.
Crows: Larger backyard birds that also enjoy insects as a protein boost.
How to Offer Them:
Place live mealworms in shallow dishes so they can’t crawl away.
Mix dried mealworms with grains or fruits to attract more bird species.
Offer them especially in spring and summer, when birds are nesting and need extra nutrition for their chicks.
Attracting birds is simple if you provide them with the right food and a safe environment. Grains, fruits, greens, insects, nuts, rice, and nectar create a balanced diet that appeals to different species. Add a clean water source, and soon you will notice sparrows chirping, bulbuls hopping, and mynas calling in your backyard every day. By feeding birds responsibly, you create not only a peaceful home for them but also a joyful, natural space for yourself.
At Promeal, we know how important it is to give your pets a healthy and varied diet. That’s why we create high-quality, natural pet food to keep them happy and healthy.
Our specialty is premium live and dried insect-based feeds like mealworms, superworms, crickets, roaches, waxworms, and hornworms. These insects are grown on an organic diet, making them a nutritious and tasty treat for your pets.
Check out our "Shop" section to find the perfect food for your pets!
Comments