Can Birds Eat Rice Cakes?

For bird enthusiasts looking to add variety to their backyard bird feeders, a common household snack like rice cakes might come to mind. Rice cakes, known for being a low-calorie human snack, can actually be a suitable treat for birds when offered correctly. Let’s look at the type of rice cake that’s best for birds and the best ways to serve these tasty treats to wild birds!

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Nutritional Value of Rice Cakes for Birds

Rice cakes are primarily made of puffed rice, which means they are mostly carbohydrates. While they don’t offer a high nutritional value, they can serve as an energy source for birds.

However, it’s important to remember that rice cakes should be given as a supplementary treat and not as a main part of a bird’s diet.

Birds That Might Enjoy Rice Cakes

Several bird species that are accustomed to eating grains and seeds might be interested in rice cakes:

Sparrows and Finches: These small birds, often seen at bird feeders, might peck at rice cakes for their seeds and grains.
Pigeons and Doves: Known for their adaptable diets, they might also sample rice cake pieces.
Jays and Crows: These intelligent birds are likely to investigate and try new food sources, including rice cakes.

Which Cakes to Serve and How to Serve

Choose plain rice cakes –ones that are unflavored and unsweetened. Look for rice cakes without added salt, sugar, or flavorings, as these additives are not suitable for birds.

And if you have leftover rice cakes around the house, ensure they they’re fresh and not moldy, as mold can be toxic to birds. Stale rice cakes that just aren’t appealing to you are fine–but be sure to trash the ones that are moldy!

Once you have your rice cakes, crumble them into small, manageable pieces to make it easier for birds to eat and to prevent choking.

You can combine the rice cake pieces at the feeder with birdseed or other bird-friendly foods to provide a more balanced offering.

Remember: due to their low nutritional content, rice cakes should only be a small part of the birds’ diet.

And, as with any bird foods, be sure to keep an eye on leftovers and clean them out before they attract pests or get moldy. Also, foods like rice cakes can attract mice, rats, raccoons and other wildlife. When we put out food other than just plain seed, we make sure to only put out enough for that day, so it’s all gone by nightfall with animals come to check out the meal offerings!