Because of its mild consistency and nutty flavor, flaxseed is a popular food among humans; as long as it doesn’t contain any additives, it’s also fine to offer to wild birds.
One of the most prevalent ingredients in wild bird seed blends is flaxseed, which also occurs naturally in the wild. While flaxseed is only a little seed, it is a popular food source for many different types of birds in the wild. Birds can take use of this ready-to-eat food supply because it is also prepared for human consumption.
This delicious seed with a nutty flavor was last found in the multigrain bread of my Subway sandwich.
Despite the tiny size of the seed, I found that eating a large quantity at once enhanced the flavor. Then I started wondering if wild birds can consume flaxseed, and if so, if there are any negative effects or reasons why they shouldn’t.
In my investigation, I discovered that flaxseed, a tasty seed typically included in commercially available wild bird seed mixes, is completely safe to serve to the wild birds in your yard.
Moreover, in addition to having a nut-like flavor, it is also a relatively soft seed, which may make it easier for any seed-eating birds to take to.
Hemp seeds, Chia seeds, and the native U.S. seed Flaxseed have all been observed in the diets of wild birds, and of course the more common sunflower, safflower, and Nyjer seeds are still widely used as bird food.
In a bird-rich backyard, you shouldn’t have any trouble using up the seed because the birds will recognize it.
While it is generally safe to feed birds flaxseed purchased in stores, picking flaxseed out of bread, which it is often baked into, can be dangerous.
Contents
Can be fed to wild birds
It’s not what you’d expect to find in wild bird seed mixes sold in stores, but flaxseed is a great source of nutrition for the feathered friends you want to attract to your yard.
Another fact about flaxseed that you might not know is that wild birds eat it.
Seed-eating birds like sparrows frequent blooming flowers for their supply of flaxseed.
Since flaxseeds contain no harmful chemicals or other components, they are perfectly safe for birds to consume. As far as the ingredients in a wild bird seed mix go, flaxseed is the most similar to what the birds would consume in the wild.
The last time I had a Subway Multi Grain sandwich, which also contained pumpkin seeds that are safe to feed to birds, the flaxseed was baked into the bread.
Small seed ready to eat by all
This little, light-brown bird seed is best fed in a small mound rather than doled out individually.
Flaxseed, not to be mistaken with the darker Chia seed, can be safely fed to wild birds without fear of them choking.
Even before swallowing, a bird will use its bill to smash larger seeds like flaxseed.
Although the birds in your yard may be skeptical of this novel food source, they will nevertheless eat the little seeds you feed them. Since I’ve already established that wild birds would eat flaxseed, I know that this variety of bird seed will likely be well-liked by those species.
Smaller birds like finches and orioles shouldn’t be afraid to give this seed a try because larger birds like cardinals and blue jays enjoy it, too.
For the same reason that nut-eating birds enjoy flaxseed, which has a pleasant nutty flavor and a mild texture, all the ordinary backyard birds will gladly eat this high-fiber seed.
Flax a source of fiber
As part of their diet, why do wild birds choose to eat seeds? Keep in mind that feeding birds seed of any kind helps to supplement their diet with the protein, fiber, and even vitamins they so desperately require.
Seed-eating birds obtain the most vital elements they need from flaxseed, and the seed can supply much more besides.
In the winter, when natural food sources become short due to the weather, wild birds can benefit the most from flaxseeds because they are less likely to starve to death while foraging.
Restoring lost fat through a high-fat diet is facilitated by feeding birds flaxseed or any other type of safe wild bird seed.
Seeds are a good source of energy for birds all year round, although they tend to rely on them more heavily in the winter.
If you want to make sure the birds in your area have plenty of the fiber-rich seed, you should replace the old with fresh every few days or whenever it runs out.
Fed to wild birds normal way
The method of feeding flaxseed to birds need not be too different from how you would offer wild bird seeds to your backyard birds.
You may either place them in a bird feeder or just dump them on the ground.
To prevent your flaxseed from getting wet, store a tiny bit in a bird feeder; alternatively, you can scatter some flaxseed on the ground, but only if it is dry.
Flaxseed should be scattered inside a small patch on the lawn, placed on railings or garden furniture, and made accessible to passing or returning birds rather than scattered all over the yard.
Popular bird seed, like sunflower seeds, is usually sold with shells, although the unshelled variety can still withstand the weather for a while.
It’s a new sort of seed, so I don’t know how long it will take before your wild birds start eating it. That’s why I wouldn’t keep flaxseed in storage for more than a week outside, and even then I’d probably replace it.
Sunflower seeds, a common type of wild bird food, can be offered to birds in a variety of ways. They can be placed in an open dish, on top of a platform bird feeder, or in a wire mesh bird feeder.
Due to the size of the flaxseed and the potential size of the gaps in the wire, a seed feeder may not be the best choice. You may put them in a peanut bird feeder, or you can just put them out in the open and let the birds eat them.
Summary
My multi-grain Subway sandwich has flaxseed, so I know it’s okay to give the birds.
Feeding birds flaxseed poses no threat to their health.
While flaxseeds are small, they are not a choking concern and are not restricted to birds with small beaks; even birds with bigger beaks enjoy the nutty flavor and soft texture of flaxseed.
There is no salt or other potentially harmful components, but I would still be careful to remove any flaxseeds from any baked dishes.
Flaxseeds, thanks to their high fat and protein content, can help wild birds make it through the winter. Because they have to expend more energy to find food, birds tend to lose weight during the winter.
Although the effects of flaxseed consumption won’t be obvious until the colder months, trying them out now won’t hurt.
There’s no need to take any additional precautions while offering this small brown seed to birds in your yard, however storing it in a spot that’s not on the ground will help it last longer.
