Can Birds Eat Oats, they are just one of the best bird feeds around! Oats contain fiber, protein, and fat and are a healthy snacking option for a wide variety of birds, especially for sparrows, finches, pigeons, and doves. However, it is important to give them only uncooked oats since the cooked variety of oats hardens and hence becomes indigestible to the birds.
Read the complete guide “What can I feed birds?“.
Types of Oats and How to Feed Them
Rolled Oats: The best form of oats for the birds is that of rolled oats. These can be spread on feeding platforms or combined with other birdseed in an overall mix. They basically contain a good content of oils, which help keep birds warm and energetic, especially during colder months.
Steel-cut Oats: You can also offer them steel-cut oats, but it is better if you cut these into smaller pieces so that the birds can easily manage to eat them.
Instant Oats: These are not recommended to give to birds, as most of them contain added preservatives, sugars, and chemicals that can be detrimental to the birds.
Benefits of Oats for Birds
- High in fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
- A good source of many key vitamins and minerals, including zinc, phosphorus, and magnesium.
- An excellent energy source, especially during winter months or during migration periods.
Caution: Cooked Oats. It is important to note that cooked oatmeal becomes sticky and solidifies quickly, making it difficult for birds to consume. Always offer uncooked oats when feeding birds.
Which Birds Can Eat Oats?
Several bird species can safely eat oats as part of their diet, including:
Sparrows: Birds with a natural diet of grains and seeds.
Finches: Both wild and domesticated finches love oats, especially when mixed with seeds.
Pigeons and Doves: Many grain-loving birds, such as pigeons and doves, do well on oats as a nutritious food source.
Blackbirds: Especially during the colder winter months, oats provide the energy blackbirds need.
Crows and Ravens: Larger birds like crows and ravens won’t hesitate to eat oats, especially when food is scarce.
Robins: While primarily insectivorous, robins may eat oats, particularly if they are mixed into suet balls.
How to Add Oats to a Feeder:
Incorporating oats into your bird feeder is easy and provides a nutritious meal for your feathered friends:
On Platform Feeders: Sprinkle a thin layer of oats on a platform feeder. Since oats can become mushy if exposed to moisture for too long, put out only a small amount at a time.
With Other Seeds: Mixing oats with other seeds, such as sunflower and millet, will attract a wide range of birds and prevent birds from gorging on just one type of food.
Add to Suet Mixes: Adding oats to homemade suet provides extra nutrition. Woodpeckers and chickadees especially enjoy pecking at the mixture.
Sprinkle on the Ground: Ground-feeding birds like sparrows and doves will appreciate oats scattered on the ground. Make sure the area is safe from predators.
Use Dry, Whole Oats: Oats should be offered raw, plain, and without any flavorings or additives, such as instant oats, which could harm birds.
Final Thoughts
Oats are among the healthiest and most versatile foods for a variety of bird species. From sparrows to pigeons, offering oats supplies birds with fiber, fats, and proteins, along with other crucial nutrients. Always use uncooked oats and mix them with seeds or add them to suet for a more varied diet for your feathered friends. By feeding oats in moderation, you will support birds through colder weather and when natural food sources are scarce.
