The Nutritional Value of Store-Bought Bird Seed: What Makes it Healthy?

Just like humans need food to survive, so do animals. However, much like in the case of people, not all kinds of foods are good or suitable for our pets. Oftentimes, people feed their birds food that, although perfectly fine for humans, would have a negative impact on the bird’s health.

A store-bought bird seed, on the other hand, has been specifically formulated in order to meet the nutritional values required by our flying companions and do so without inflicting any internal or external harm on the pet. Read more to find out why investing in high-quality store-bought bird food for your pet is the optimal choice.

Why You Should Avoid Feeding Your Pet Human Food:

People often feed their animals foods that they eat on the daily basis – avocados, pretzels, cheese, bacon, or onion. But, did you know that all of these common foods are actually harmful for your bird?

Avocado contains enzymes which can cause heart failure, salty foods such as pretzels or chips can cause dehydration and even sodium poisoning, in large quantities. Moreover, did you know that birds are lactose-intolerant?

You should not feed your bird any type of foods that contain lactose. And while you might be inclined to introduce your pet to the joys of bacon, fried foods are too difficult for your tiny bird’s stomach to digest and can lead to obesity and liver problems.

These are just some of the most commonly consumed aliments, yet your bird can’t have any of them. This is why it is important to feed your pet specifically-formulated foods. This will not only ensure that they get the right amount of nutrients, but you avoid the risk of exposing your pet to health hazards.

Wild Animals Australia documented a case in December of 2024, where several magpies have died as a result of human food. The birds were fed bread, cheese and other table scraps which led to various digestive and bone illnesses.

Their beaks were twisted out of shape and their legs were bowed, making it impossible for them to walk. All of the birds suffered from bone metabolic disease, as a result of improper alimentation that was fostered by people feeding them human foods.

According to Wild Animals Australia, nutritional imbalances and deficiencies caused by human intervention in the bird’s alimentation is the first reason of euthanasia of black and white baby birds in their care.

What’s all the more saddening is that this is preventable, as the main cause attributed to bone metabolic disease is humans feeding birds bread, sausage, cheese or other food scraps.

What Makes Store-Bought Bird Seed Healthy?

Not only do you avoid the risk of intoxicating your pet, but by using the right bird seed supplements, you ensure that your little flying companion will benefit from all of the necessary nutrients. This is extremely important in the long run, as you want your pet to live a long and healthy life. Food is probably one of, if not the, most important aspect to consider in achieving that.

Choosing the right bird food for your pet can be a difficult task at times. It is all the more confusing if you are just getting started with your first bird. But even an experienced aviculturist can encounter issues with this task.

In order to mediate this issue, store-bought bird seed often comes in variations that have been specifically tailored according to a bird’s needs. This ensures that your bird gets a balanced nutrition and is not missing any of the species-specific dietary requirements.

Different birds have different needs, after all. For example, a parrot’s diet often includes nuts and high-protein pellets, while finches should avoid large seeds and consume slammer seeds. Hummingbirds, on the other hand, enjoy nectars, as it fuels their energy levels. This too, should be specifically formulated, as artificial sweeteners might inflict harm on the bird.

The more birds you have, the more complicated it can get to keep track of all of their specific needs. Store-bought bird seed already comes in specifically formulated packages, making it not only more convenient, but a lot safer to use than home-made alternatives.

Did You Know? Interesting Facts About Bird Food

• Birds are very active pets. Some of them need to consume calories up to twice their body size to sustain their metabolism.
• Birds have special needs according to the season. During the winter, they are more likely to need a high-fat based diet, while in the spring high protein diets should be prioritized.
• Colour attracts birds, even when it comes to foods. Due to this particularity, producers often include colourful seeds in their mix to stimulate the bird.
• Birds are lactose-intolerant, but they are immune to capsaicin, the spicy compound in peppers. This means that, generally, birds can eat spicy foods. Bird food is often infused with chili powder to deter animals such as squirrels and other rodents from their food. Disclaimer: always consult with a specialist before feeding your bird any amount of spice.
• Bread is a no-no. While common and pop culture promotes feeding bread to birds of all kinds, it is not safe for them to ingest bread. Not only is the nutritional value close to zero, but large amounts of bread can interfere with their tiny digestive systems and cause health problems.

Conclusion

Feeding your feathery friend the right type of bird food is not a matter of preference. More often than not, it can be a life-or-death matter.

Their tiny bodies are not built to support and thrive on the types of foods that we, humans, consume. Do what is right and invest in a suitable option of bird seed for your flying companion.