Robins are common songbirds found throughout much of North America. They are easily recognized by their reddish-orange breast and face. Robins have adapted well to living near humans and frequently visit yards and gardens in search of food. While robins aren’t picky eaters and will consume a wide variety of natural foods, there are some human foods that should be avoided when feeding robins. Knowing what not to feed robins can help prevent any harm from coming to these beloved birds.
What do robins eat in the wild?
Robins are omnivores and eat a diverse diet of both plant and animal matter. Their natural diet consists of:
- Earthworms
- Insects like beetles, caterpillars, ants, grasshoppers, and flies
- Spiders
- Snails
- Millipedes
- Small frogs and lizards
- Seeds and berries from trees and shrubs
- Fruits like cherries, raspberries, currants, and juniper berries
Robins forage primarily on the ground, using their eyesight to locate prey items like earthworms and insects. They also frequently probe the soil with their bills to uncover hidden food. Fruits and berries are plucked directly from trees and shrubs.
Why is it important not to feed robins certain foods?
While robins are omnivorous and can eat a wide range of foods, their digestive systems are adapted for their natural diet. Feeding robins inappropriate foods that they wouldn’t normally eat in the wild runs the risk of causing:
- Nutritional imbalances
- Digestive issues
- Bloating
- Food impactions
- Intoxication
- Delayed development in nestlings
Some human foods simply provide little nutritional value for robins or can cause problems if eaten in excess. Even foods that seem similar to a robin’s natural diet, like mealworms, aren’t ideal due to differences in nutrient composition.
Additionally, robins that become accustomed to relying on human food sources may lose their natural foraging behaviors over time. This can cause malnutrition if supplemental feeding stops, especially during critical life stages like chick rearing when nutritional needs are very high.
Foods to avoid feeding robins
Here are some specific foods that should be avoided when feeding robins:
Bread, crackers, and similar baked goods
Bread has very little nutritional value for birds like robins. It lacks the protein, fat, and essential vitamins and minerals that robins need. Birds can easily fill up on bread, leaving little room for more nutritious foods. Excessive bread consumption can lead to malnutrition. The simple carbohydrates in bread are also quickly converted to sugar, which may contribute to obesity and other health issues in birds.
Crackers, chips, pretzels, muffins, and other processed baked goods should also be avoided for the same reasons. They provide empty calories and displace healthier foods.
Seed and grain mixtures
While seeds and grains provide useful calories, they are typically too high in carbohydrates and too low in protein to form the mainstay of a robin’s diet. Since robins do consume some seeds naturally, a small amount of mixed bird seed or unsalted popcorn is okay as an occasional snack. Just don’t overdo it.
Mealworms and other insect larvae
Live mealworms are sometimes fed to wild birds. However, they have lower calcium levels than the wild insects robins naturally eat. They also have lower protein and fat levels when comparing dry weights. Mealworms are better than seed and grain mixes, but should not become a staple food item. Dried mealworms have even less nutritional value. Other insect larvae like waxworms and maggots are also best avoided, despite being soft-bodied like worms and caterpillars.
Unsalted nuts and shelled sunflower seeds
While robins will readily eat shelled sunflower seeds and nut pieces, these foods are high in fat. They can quickly lead to obesity and other health issues if over-consumed. Salted nuts are especially problematic due to added sodium. Offer just a few pieces at a time, and always provide healthier alternatives too.
Oily and greasy foods
French fries, potato chips, donuts, and other oily, greasy, and fried human foods are unhealthy for robins and can cause stomach upsets, digestive issues, pancreatitis, and obesity-related disease. The high fat content is difficult for birds to properly digest.
Sugary foods
Foods like sugar-sweetened cereals, jelly donuts, cake, and candy are too high in sugar to be healthy food choices for robins. Excess sugar is quickly converted to fat by a robin’s liver, potentially leading to fatty liver disease and obesity.
Salt and seasonings
Foods seasoned with salt, spices, or other flavorings like hot sauce can be dangerous for robins. Excess sodium can cause kidney damage. Spicy seasonings may also irritate a robin’s digestive tract. Avoid potato chips, pretzels, salted nuts, flavored crackers, and other foods with added salt or spices.
Dairy products
Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy foods are not healthy choices for robins. Wild birds lack the digestive enzymes needed to properly digest lactose, the sugar in milk. This can lead to diarrhea. The fat content in cheese and some yogurts is also problematic. Even lactose-free dairy products still pose issues due to their nutritional makeup.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains two substances toxic to birds: theobromine and caffeine. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the higher the levels of these harmful compounds. Even just a few bites of chocolate can poison a small bird like a robin.
Alcohol
Alcohol rapidly intoxicates birds and should never be given to robins or any wild birds. Ingestion of alcohol can lead to liver and kidney damage, respiratory failure, improper balance and coordination, and even death in severe cases.
Avocados
While avocados are a healthy fruit for humans, they can be toxic to birds. They contain a toxin called persin that can damage cardiac muscle tissue and cause heart failure in birds. The pits, skin, and leaves are especially hazardous.
Apple seeds
The seeds inside apples contain trace amounts of cyanogenic glycosides, compounds that release cyanide when metabolized. While a few apple seeds likely won’t cause acute poisoning, repeatedly feeding them over time may lead to toxic accumulation. Use care when offering cut apples to robins.
Safe foods to feed robins
Here are some examples of healthy food items that are perfectly fine to offer robins:
Mealworms
While dried mealworms lack nutrition, live mealworms are a great source of natural protein and fat. They make an acceptable supplemental food in moderation. Just be sure to also provide other foods so mealworms don’t become the sole food source.
Earthworms
Fresh, naturally-occurring earthworms are one of the best foods to offer robins. They closely mimic a robin’s wild diet and provide complete nutrition. Collect earthworms from safe areas not treated with pesticides.
Chopped fruits
Chopped apple without seeds, blueberries, strawberries, oranges, watermelon, grapes, bananas, and other fruits are all healthy choices. Be sure to remove any peel, skin, or pits first. Just don’t overdo it on sugary fruits like grapes.
Suet cakes
Nutritious suet cakes offer protein and fat from rendered meat sources or insect larvae. Look for products designed specifically for insect-eating songbirds. Avoid suet with added seed or grain fillers.
Canned cat or dog food
Look for grain-free varieties with meat as the main ingredient. Avoid any food containing onion or garlic powder, which are toxic to robins. Only provide small amounts, as the high protein content may pose issues if over-consumed.
Chopped cooked eggs
Small pieces of cooked egg are an excellent source of protein for robins. Hard boil eggs and then chop the cooked egg whites and yolks into tiny pieces to reduce any risk of choking. Avoid adding salt or spices.
Live insects
Capture live insects like crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, or flies in your yard and offer them to robins. This mimics their natural diet better than dried mealworms. Just avoid any insects or spiders that can deliver painful stings or bites!
How to feed robins safely
Follow these tips to safely offer supplemental food to robins:
- Place food in a flat platform feeder or birdbath, not directly on the ground. This reduces contamination.
- Clean feeders daily with hot water and a mild bleach solution. Rinse thoroughly.
- Site feeders in a sheltered spot to protect food from rain and provide roosting spots nearby.
- Use separate feeders for human food scraps to avoid cross-contamination.
- Remove any wet, soiled, or stale food right away.
- Adjust amounts to only what birds will eat in a day to prevent waste.
- Wash hands before and after handling bird feeders and food.
Only prepare food in small batches. Don’t leave perishable foods sitting out for prolonged periods. And be sure to clean up any leftover food each evening to avoid attracting unwanted pests like rats.
With some basic precautions, you can provide safe, nutritious supplementary food for robins visiting your yard. This gives them a little extra help, especially during harsh weather, seasonal shortages, and breeding times when food needs peak. Just be sure to offer a variety of foods and focus on healthy, natural food items while avoiding junk food. Your local robins will thank you!
Conclusion
Robins have adapted well to taking advantage of bird feeders and other food sources provided by humans. However, caution is required when feeding robins to avoid potentially harmful foods. Sticking to a robin’s natural diet as closely as possible is the healthiest approach. Offer live insects when possible, along with chopped fruits, cooked eggs, mealworms, and suet specifically made for insect-eating birds. Avoid excess bread, oily foods, salty snacks, sugary treats, and other junk foods that could lead to nutritional imbalances or obesity. Follow basic hygiene and food safety precautions too. With some mindfulness when choosing foods, you can successfully supplement a robin’s natural diet and enjoy many visits from these charismatic songbirds. Just be sure to avoid anything on the list of foods robins should never eat.
