Updated: Feb. 06, 2023
Our bird experts explain if peanut butter is safe for birds and what kind of peanut butter to offer at bird feeders. Plus learn the birds that eat peanut butter.
Courtesy Kim Dishong
Is Peanut Butter Safe for Birds to Eat?
“What type of peanut butter should I feed to birds?” asks Beth Mucci of Swanzey, New Hampshire.
Peanut butter is a good high-protein food for birds, and they can eat any of the same types humans do. If you’re buying it specifically for birds, look for natural or organic types with the fewest additives. Try offering crunchy peanut butter for an extra nutty treat. It’s best to avoid low-fat varieties, which may not have as much nutritional value for the birds.
If you offer peanut butter stuffed into holes in a log-type feeder, be sure to clean it out thoroughly before refilling it so mold won’t grow on the remains of older contents. Learn how to clean bird feeders.
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Did you know it’s a myth that birds will choke on peanut butter? Go ahead and keep it in your homemade suet mix. You can also smear peanut butter on tree bark, or slather pine cones in peanut butter and dip them in bird seed. Woodpeckers, nuthatches and blue jays love to eat peanut butter.
Next, check out 10 foods you aren’t feeding birds yet.
Originally Published: October 01, 2020
Author
Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman
As a teenager in the 1970s, Kenn Kaufman hitch-hiked all over North America in pursuit of birds, an adventure later chronicled in his cult-classic book Kingbird Highway. After several years as a professional nature tour leader, taking groups to all seven continents, he transitioned to a career as a writer, editor, and illustrator. His 14 books incl...
Author
Kirsten Schrader
Now Birds & Blooms' content director, Kirsten has been writing about birding and gardening for 17 years. Her writing and editing roles have spanned the print and digital landscape. Although she has traveled to see amazing birds throughout the U.S., Kirsten has one dream bucket list bird—the male painted bunting.
