Quick Answers
Walnuts can be an excellent source of nutrition for wild birds, but they need to be provided carefully and properly to avoid potential issues. Some key points:
– Crush or break open the walnut shells at least partially before setting them out, as birds cannot open the hard shells themselves. Do not crush completely as birds enjoy working them open.
– Offer walnut pieces rather than whole nuts, ideally about the size of a pea or smaller. This allows more birds access without choking risks.
– Avoid feeding moldy or rotten walnuts, as these can make birds sick. Discard any with signs of moisture, mold, etc.
– Offer walnuts in moderation as part of a balanced diet. They are high in fat so too many can lead to obesity issues.
– Set walnuts out in a feeder or on a platform, sprinkled on the ground, or wedged into trees. Avoid putting directly on the ground where they may rot or grow mold.
– Watch out for squirrels! They also love walnuts and may monopolize feeders. Use squirrel-proof feeders or baffles to restrict access.
Why Offer Walnuts to Wild Birds
Walnuts can provide some excellent nutritional benefits to wild birds that make them worth offering as a supplemental food:
High in Fat and Calories
Walnuts are very high in fat and calories, providing lots of concentrated energy in a small package. This makes them ideal for migratory birds that need to build up fat reserves for long flights, as well as for chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers and other birds that cache food supplies. The high fat content helps birds maintain body heat and energy levels in cold winter conditions when food is scarce.
Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
In addition to being high in fat, walnuts also contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. These are considered “healthy fats” that provide birds with many benefits. Omega-3s help strengthen the nervous and cardiovascular systems, boost immune function, improve feather condition, and support reproductive health.
High in Protein
Though walnuts are best known for their fat content, they also provide a good source of protein. The amino acids in walnut protein help build strong muscles and tissues and replenish energy stores. This protein is especially important for birds during breeding season, chick rearing, and molting.
Source of Vitamins and Minerals
Walnuts contain a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals that birds need to stay healthy. These include vitamin E, B vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, selenium, and iron. Vitamin E is a valuable antioxidant that protects cells.
What Birds Like to Eat Walnuts
Many different bird species are attracted to walnuts as a supplemental food source:
Crows
American crows and other corvid species like jays, ravens, magpies, and nutcrackers are experts at cracking open walnut shells with their strong beaks. They thrive on the fat and protein inside.
Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers like downy, hairy, red-bellied, and northern flickers wedge walnuts into crevices of tree bark or poles and hammer away at the shells. The fat and calories help sustain their high-energy lifestyle.
Chickadees
Black-capped chickadees and other small songbirds can handle smaller pieces of crushed walnuts. Chickadees are known to cache hundreds of individual walnuts and seeds to stock winter food stores.
Nuthatches
White-breasted nuthatches, red-breasted nuthatches, and brown-headed nuthatches also cache walnut pieces in bark crevices for later feeding. Their agility allows them to find the hidden morsels.
Titmice
Tufted titmice sometimes work in teams with chickadees and nuthatches to locate cached walnuts scattered across their territory and extract the nutritious bits.
Jays
Resourceful jays like blue jays, gray jays, Steller’s jays, and scrub jays are eager walnut feeders. Their strong beaks and smarts allow them to monopolize feeders stocked with walnuts.
Wood Ducks
Wood ducks, especially in winter, will eagerly feed on crushed walnuts floated in water dishes. The high fat and calories provides needed energy when other foods are scarce.
How to Offer Shelled Walnuts to Birds
To safely offer shelled walnut pieces to wild birds:
Crush and Break Shells
Use a nutcracker, pliers, or hammer to carefully crack open the hard outer shell of unshelled walnuts. Break the shell into a few larger shards without crushing the inner nut completely.
Remove Walnut Pieces
Pick the shelled walnut pieces out of the broken shards of shell. Try to extract chunks about the size of a pea for small birds or up to marble size for larger birds. Discard any pieces with mold or rot.
Avoid Choking Hazards
Do not offer whole walnut halves or pieces larger than a marble, as these large chunks could potentially choke birds if swallowed. Stick to bite-sized bits.
Set Out in Feeders
Place the shelled walnut pieces into mesh feeders, platform feeders, or suet cages. This prevents them from being scattered on the ground. Limit quantities to discourage gorging.
Sprinkle on Ground or Platforms
Alternatively, you can sprinkle the walnut chunks directly onto a raised platform, large flat rock, or roofed feeding station to minimize wetness and rotting. Do not put directly on soil.
Offer in Trees
Wedging or stuffing shelled walnuts into the crevices and holes of tree bark and branches provides a more natural feeding opportunity that some birds favor.
Preventing Problems When Feeding Walnuts
While walnuts offer many benefits, there are a few precautions to keep in mind:
Avoid Spoiled Walnuts
Discard any walnuts showing even small spots of mold, fungus, darkening, or other signs of moisture or rot. Consuming these could make birds sick. Store walnuts in a cool, dry area.
Beware of Allergies
Rarely, birds may have individual allergies to walnuts that could cause illness. Discontinue feeding if any signs of allergy appear.
Prevent Obesity
Offer walnuts in moderation as part of a varied diet. The high fat content could lead to obesity and liver issues if birds eat too many. Mix with other foods.
Deter Squirrels
Aggressive squirrels often dominate walnut feeders. Use weight-sensitive or baffled feeders that restrict squirrel access to preserve some for the birds.
Avoid Choking Hazard
Crush shells thoroughly and break walnuts into small pieces to prevent potential choking hazards for smaller birds. Whole walnut halves can get stuck in throats.
Wash Hands After Handling
Bird handlers should wash hands after preparing walnuts to prevent potential spread of bacteria from contaminated shells or spoiled nuts.
FAQs About Feeding Walnuts to Birds
Are walnuts healthy for birds?
Yes, walnuts can be a very healthy supplemental food for birds in moderate quantities. They provide fat, protein, and vitamins needed for energy, immunity, feathers, and reproduction. Just avoid spoiled or moldy nuts.
Do I need to roast or cook walnuts before feeding birds?
No, it is not necessary to roast or cook raw walnuts before feeding to birds. They do not need any preparation beyond cracking the hard outer shell before serving.
Should walnuts be shelled or unshelled?
Offering shelled walnuts is safest, as most birds cannot open the extremely hard, thick shells themselves. Just be sure to break the shelled pieces into small, bite-size chunks before feeding out.
Can birds choke on walnut pieces?
Birds can potentially choke on walnut pieces that are too large and become lodged in their throats. Always break shelled walnuts into small crumbs or pieces no bigger than a marble to minimize any choking risk.
Will walnuts attract squirrels to my bird feeders?
Yes, squirrels are extremely attracted to walnuts and will likely dominate any bird feeder stocked with them. Use specially designed squirrel-proof feeders or other deterrents to try preserving some for the birds.
Should I offer walnuts year-round or only in winter?
The high fat content of walnuts makes them ideal for winter supplemental feeding when food is scarce. You can offer them year-round but in limited quantities, mixing with other foods to prevent obesity.
Can I feed black walnuts or just English walnuts?
Both black walnuts native to North America and English walnuts can be fed to wild birds safely in the same manner. Just be sure to crack the extremely hard black walnut shells before feeding.
Conclusion
Offering shelled walnuts to wild birds can provide them with beneficial fats, calories, protein and nutrients. To maximize the value while avoiding potential issues, walnuts should be shelled and crushed into small pieces before feeding. Feed in moderation along with other foods as part of a balanced diet. With some precautions, walnuts can be an excellent addition to supplemental feeding for many birds. Proper preparation and presentation will allow birds to enjoy the nutritional benefits safely.
