The Pantry Ingredient You Should Start Adding To Your Bird Feeder (& One To Avoid)

Plenty of people love birds and go to great lengths to make their spaces bird-friendly and attract birds to their gardens, adding birdbaths, birdhouses, and, of course, feeders. But the real question is, what should you add to your feeders? Sure, you can always buy birdseed straight from the store — or you can DIY your own birdseed mix. Customizing what you put in your bird feeder can attract specific birds and provide nutritional benefits that generic birdseed might not match. One terrific ingredient — and pantry staple — you can add to your bird feeder is chia seeds!

At first glance, chia seeds might seem like a tool of health nuts and Instagram influencers, but they're also a fantastic treat for our avian friends. These tiny seeds are packed with nutrients that benefit not just us, but birds too. Imagine adding a healthy superfood to your bird feeder that makes your yard the hottest spot for birdwatching. Sounds like a total win-win, right?

Why are chia seeds so healthy when it comes to attracting birds to your yard? Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and fiber, chia seeds provide excellent nutritional value for your backyard visitors. Birds need a balanced diet to maintain their energy levels, especially during harsh weather conditions or breeding seasons. By putting chia seeds into your feeder, you're treating them to a feast that is as healthy as it is tasty. Chia seeds help birds' heart health, digestion, energy levels, and bone strength.

Another great reason to add chia seeds to your bird feeder is their versatility. These seeds are incredibly easy to mix with other types of bird feed. Whether you prefer sunflower seeds, millet, or suet, chia seeds can seamlessly blend into any mix. They're also lightweight and small, making them easy for birds of all sizes to eat. Unlike some larger seeds that can be cumbersome for smaller birds, chia seeds can be enjoyed by everyone, from tiny finches to larger jays. This means you'll likely see a wider variety of birds visiting your feeder, each benefiting from the nutritional boost that chia seeds provide. A few North American species you might expect to feed on your chia seeds are sparrows, cardinals, doves, chickadees, and blue jays — though blue jays might terrorize all the other birds out of your yard, so be careful.

While chia seeds are a hit, there's one pantry staple you should avoid putting into your bird feeder at all costs: salted snacks. While we love munching on salty chips and pretzels, birds don't have the same palate or tolerance for salt that humans do. Salt can be quite harmful to them — it's one reason you shouldn't put salt in your birdbath — so salty snacks are some of the worst foods to feed birds. Birds' kidneys are not designed to handle high amounts of sodium, which can lead to serious health issues such as dehydration and kidney failure. Even a small amount of salt can tip the balance and put your bird friends in danger.

Birds are tiny creatures, especially the ones that will visit your bird feeder. What seems like a small amount to us can be quite substantial for them. For example, a single chip or pretzel can contain more salt than a bird's body can safely process. This isn't just a hypothetical concern — cases have been reported where birds have suffered from salt toxicity after consuming salty human snacks.

Additionally, salted snacks often come with added preservatives and artificial flavors, which are also problematic. These additives can interfere with birds' digestive systems and overall health. Natural, unsalted food items are always a better choice. Think seeds, fruits, and nuts in their purest form. These options provide the necessary nutrients without the risk of sodium overload or chemical exposure.