6 Surprising Foods You Should Never Feed Backyard Birds

There's something very relaxing about sitting inside a warm, cozy home with a hot cup of coffee in your hands and watching the wildlife right outside your window. Seeing the birds fly around and chirp at each other can feel like your very own television show, and each day is different than the previous one. Whether you keep a bird feeder stocked year-round or you like to toss out a few treats you know they love, it's always enjoyable to see which colorful visitors pop in each day and spot how many of the same birds become regulars.

However, while people have good intentions when feeding backyard birds, not every snack that seems harmless is safe for them. In reality, some common household foods can potentially cause serious health issues for wild birds. Though a bird's diet can be quite varied, some foods can be toxic. With this in mind, it's important for all bird lovers to know which foods belong in a feeder and the ones you need to totally steer clear of.

6 Foods You Should Never Feed Backyard Birds

One of the easiest ways to attract birds to your backyard and view them from the window is to put out bird feeders. The food right there attracts birds to come and grab a snack, and according to the BCSPCA, backyard bird feeding is one of the most popular forms of "human-wildlife interaction" worldwide, but feeders are among the most common places for a bird to get sick. Knowing that, it's essential to know which foods to keep out of the feeders you have at home.

Apples and Fruit Pits

Apples and fruit pits seem like they should be good for birds, since they're natural after all, but Avian Report warns that these can have a natural chemical in them that can do great harm to wild birds. Seeds and pits of cherries, mangoes, peaches, plums, pears, and apples contain cyanide, which is at levels not harmful for people but can be for birds.

Animal Meats or Fats

Even if you were to have birds of prey outside your home, offering animal meat or fats for birds is considered unsafe, Birds & Blooms shares. Since these products spoil quickly when they're no longer refrigerated and start to "transform" in the sun, it's not a good idea to leave them for your feathered friends.

Chocolate

Chocolate isn't a food that most birds are going to pay any attention to, Avian Report explains, but some birds might, like pigeons, blue jays, and crows. But just as this food is toxic to other animals, like dogs and cats, even a small amount of chocolate can be very toxic to backyard birds.

Bread

We see it on TV and in movies all the time: people sharing pieces of bread with the birds outside, but Birds & Blooms warns that this isn't safe for backyard birds or waterfowl. There's no nutritional value in bread for birds, and since it's so starchy, a bird feeding on bread might skip actual meals that are essential for their health. Also, any mold on bread can pose several health risks for them.

Nuts and Seeds Sold for Humans

A lot of traditional birdseed looks like bland trail or nut mix we like to eat as snacks, too, but there's a big difference. Nuts and seeds that are made and sold for human consumption often contain salt levels that are potentially dangerous for birds, Birds & Blooms explains.

Old Birdseed

Just as it's not safe for us to eat expired foods, it's also not good for wild birds to eat birdseed that's expired. Doing so can expose them to moldy or rancid foods, which can make birds sick with salmonella, according to BCSCPA.

Related: Woman Casually Getting Groceries with Enormous Raven Is Making Everyone Rethink Life Plans

How To Clean Your Bird Feeder

If you're going to have bird feeders outside the home, it's important to keep them clean, so wild birds can be as safe as possible.

According to BCSPCA, you should clean your feeders regularly, once every two weeks or so, and this should include discarding any remaining seeds, washing the feeder with soap and water, washing again with 10% bleach solution, rinsing, and air-drying before refilling and hanging back up outside.

SIGN UP to get "pawsitivity" delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends

Helping backyard birds thrive so you can enjoy their presence and the relaxation that brings you starts with providing foods that support their health and natural dietary needs. While it can be tempting to share leftovers or kitchen scraps, or toss out a handful of foods you think are safe for them to eat, sticking to known bird-safe foods is one of the best ways to protect your feathered visitors.

By avoiding these surprising foods and educating yourself on how to enrich their diets with safe foods they like, you can create a backyard habitat that birds will enjoy returning to again and again.

Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 3:10 AM.