Do Birds Eat Oats?

Oats are a nutritious and versatile grain that can be a beneficial addition to the diet of wild birds. They are rich in carbohydrates and fiber, providing a good energy source for birds. However, you’ll need to be careful of the type of oats you serve because some types can be hazardous to birds. Let’s look at the best way to feed oat at the bird feeder–and just which birds you might attract!

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The Best Way to Feed Oats to Birds

Uncooked, plain oats are safe for birds. These can be either whole or rolled oats.

Instant oats are a more processed form of oatmeal, often pre-cooked and dried for quick preparation. If you only have instant oats, make sure they are the plain variety with no added ingredients.

It’s important to avoid oats that have added flavors, sugars, or other additives, as these can be harmful to birds.

Can Birds Eat Porridge Oats?

You can serve uncooked porridge oats to birds but not cooked porridge oats. Why? The cooking process makes the oats gelatinous–and that sticky mess can become hazardous when it gets on beaks and feathers.

Birds can also eat cooked oats, but they should be plain, without any added salt, sugar, or milk.

How to Serve Oats at the Feeder

You can spread oats on a tray feeder, where birds can easily access them. Also, try serving it on a ground feeder (or just sprinkled on the ground) where birds like doves like to eat.

Mixing oats with other birdseed can make your feeder more appealing to a wider variety of birds.

Always ensure that the oats are fresh and not moldy, as spoiled food of any type can be harmful to birds. Regularly clean the feeder to prevent the buildup of uneaten or damp oats which can spoil and mold quickly.

Which Birds Eat Oats?

Many birds enjoy eating oats, including:

Sparrows – Species like house sparrows and American tree sparrows readily eat oats. Oats are a good source of energy and fat for these small seed-eating birds.
Doves – Mourning doves and rock pigeons/rock doves will enjoy oats mixed in with their regular seed diet.
Juncos – Dark-eyed juncos, a small gray bird, are often seen at backyard feeders. Oats are one of their preferred foods.
Finches – American goldfinches, house finches, and other small seed-eating finches love oats. Finches have specialized beaks for cracking and eating small seeds.
Blackbirds and Starlings – Red-winged blackbirds and other blackbird species will come to feeders with oats scattered on the ground or platform.
Grosbeaks – Blue grosbeaks and other large seed-eating birds in the grosbeak family enjoy oats.
Quail – Bobwhite and other quail species eat oats, especially if the oats are scattered on the ground where they can forage naturally.
Wild turkeys – Oats provide energy and nutrients for wild turkeys, especially during winter when natural foods are scarce.