Question for the Birds
February 16, 2022 10:32 AM Subscribe
Can wild birds eat human cocktail peanuts? Can they eat these peanuts if the salt is removed? We have a large bag of these peanuts that mice had gotten into.
The UK's RSPB says:
This page also says no to salted peanuts, human-edible peanuts can contain toxins harmful to birds.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 10:57 AM on February 16, 2022
Can I put out salted peanuts for the birds?
No - most garden birds cannot process salt and will die if they are given too much
This page also says no to salted peanuts, human-edible peanuts can contain toxins harmful to birds.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 10:57 AM on February 16, 2022
There is no scientific evidence that salted peanuts cause birds harm, having said that large amounts of salt can kill smaller birds and it is usually recommended you feed unsalted nuts to birds. I personally wouldn't do it. If you do decide to wash the nuts first. Dry them well so they don't go moldy as that can also cause issues for birds but be aware some of the salt will have soaked into the nut. Also if squirrels get them their kidneys aren't great at filtering out salt and it can give them kidney disease.
posted by wwax at 11:01 AM on February 16, 2022
posted by wwax at 11:01 AM on February 16, 2022
I guess you could shake/ brush off a fair bit of salt or even rinse and dry the peanuts. crows are said to love them, and are interesting birds to befriend.
posted by theora55 at 11:27 AM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by theora55 at 11:27 AM on February 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
Wildlifeful says no salt, and any roasted nuts are sure to have salt, esp. peanuts.
A Georgia advisory, however, doubts the "common wisdom" about no salt for wild birds.
posted by kschang at 11:40 AM on February 16, 2022
A Georgia advisory, however, doubts the "common wisdom" about no salt for wild birds.
posted by kschang at 11:40 AM on February 16, 2022
As a fellow backyard birder, I would say no. That's the advice from our local chapter of the Audubon Society. Peanuts for humans are loaded with all kinds of things that are potentially harmful for wild birds.
The Audubon website states: "Bird lovers quickly realized that Florida Scrub-Jays will come readily to the hand for peanuts. Unfortunately, studies have shown that jays fed by humans reproduce earlier in the year than those that are not. As a result, their fledglings hatch before the caterpillars they rely on for nutrition are available, leading to malnourishment and starvation. People also feed jays near roads, and collision with vehicles is a major cause of their death. Thus, it’s now illegal to feed Florida Scrub-Jays unless you have a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."
(Link here.)
I know you want to get rid of that bag of peanuts, but if it were me, I'd just consign it to the rubbish bin. If you want to spoil your backyard birds, then try black oil sunflower seeds or nyjer thistle. They'll love it! Best of luck-
posted by chatelaine at 11:58 AM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
The Audubon website states: "Bird lovers quickly realized that Florida Scrub-Jays will come readily to the hand for peanuts. Unfortunately, studies have shown that jays fed by humans reproduce earlier in the year than those that are not. As a result, their fledglings hatch before the caterpillars they rely on for nutrition are available, leading to malnourishment and starvation. People also feed jays near roads, and collision with vehicles is a major cause of their death. Thus, it’s now illegal to feed Florida Scrub-Jays unless you have a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."
(Link here.)
I know you want to get rid of that bag of peanuts, but if it were me, I'd just consign it to the rubbish bin. If you want to spoil your backyard birds, then try black oil sunflower seeds or nyjer thistle. They'll love it! Best of luck-
posted by chatelaine at 11:58 AM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
I'd just consign it to the rubbish bin.
Compost it!
posted by SPrintF at 1:36 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Compost it!
posted by SPrintF at 1:36 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Crows do like peanuts. Squirrels not so much. The best nut for getting squirrels or birds to eat out of your hand is walnuts. I wouldn't make a habit of giving little things salted human food, but once in a while it's probably good. Most things need some salt from somewhere on occasion. I'd at least wash/dry them before just dumping them into a bird feeder or something. Sprinkle them in with other stuff so they're a treat.
posted by zengargoyle at 2:06 PM on February 16, 2022
posted by zengargoyle at 2:06 PM on February 16, 2022
My parents are dedicated bird-feeders. They even put out oranges and grape jelly for Baltimore Orioles. They get an astounding variety of birds in their yard in Chicago's North Side. They even have a heated (freeze-proof) bird bath for the critters, which is very popular.
They buy their foods from a bird-food supply store. One of the things they provide in winter is shelled peanuts. The ones the store sells are "factory seconds" which are roasted, unsalted nuts that were meant for human consumption but got rejected one way or another. Almost every bird goes crazy for peanuts (especially cardinals, but many others, too), which are loaded with fats, oil and nutrition. And again, this is a specialty store run by bird enthusiasts selling a hundred kinds of different wild bird foods and birding gear. I say if this store in suburban Chicago (Wild Birds Unlimited) says it's OK, I'd say it's OK. I'd rinse the hell out of the salted nuts and maybe even soak them in clean water for a few hours before putting them out.
(shelled peanuts because the shells are discarded by the birds and make a giant mess. I'll also say I have put these peanuts out for the birds and they smell absolutely delicious)
posted by SoberHighland at 2:24 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
They buy their foods from a bird-food supply store. One of the things they provide in winter is shelled peanuts. The ones the store sells are "factory seconds" which are roasted, unsalted nuts that were meant for human consumption but got rejected one way or another. Almost every bird goes crazy for peanuts (especially cardinals, but many others, too), which are loaded with fats, oil and nutrition. And again, this is a specialty store run by bird enthusiasts selling a hundred kinds of different wild bird foods and birding gear. I say if this store in suburban Chicago (Wild Birds Unlimited) says it's OK, I'd say it's OK. I'd rinse the hell out of the salted nuts and maybe even soak them in clean water for a few hours before putting them out.
(shelled peanuts because the shells are discarded by the birds and make a giant mess. I'll also say I have put these peanuts out for the birds and they smell absolutely delicious)
posted by SoberHighland at 2:24 PM on February 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Put the nuts out at night when the possums, raccoons, foxes and coyotes are more likely to find them. They will love them.
posted by Ostara at 2:03 PM on February 17, 2022
posted by Ostara at 2:03 PM on February 17, 2022
« Older Geologists! Hikers! Tell me about the Grand Canyon... | Craft cocktails in Miami & Miami Beach Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by blnkfrnk at 10:39 AM on February 16, 2022