Do Birds Eat Tomatoes?

Whether you are eyeing your leftovers as possible bird food or worrying about the tomatoes you’re trying to grow in your garden, you just might be wondering if birds eat tomatoes. It’s a common sight in gardens to find birds pecking away at various fruits and vegetables, but what about tomatoes? Are they safe for birds, and which birds are most likely to indulge in this common garden staple?

Are Tomatoes Safe for Birds?

Generally, ripe tomatoes are safe for birds to eat.

However, the green parts of the tomato plant, including the leaves and stems, contain solanine, a substance that can be toxic to birds. The unripe, green tomatoes also have higher solanine levels compared to the ripe ones.

Birds aren’t particularly fussy about tomato varieties. They are likely to peck at any ripe tomato accessible to them. Smaller varieties like cherry or grape tomatoes might be more manageable for smaller birds. However, larger tomatoes are also attractive to birds, especially if they are cut open or have soft spots.

Which Birds Eat Tomatoes?

Several bird species are known to eat tomatoes, including:

Mockingbirds – Mockingbirds love tomatoes and will peck at ripe ones on the vine.
Cardinals – Male cardinals have a particular liking for tomatoes. They’ll eat them off the vine or from a bird feeder.
Blue Jays – These colorful birds will eat tomato pieces, either from your hand or left out on a platform feeder.
Finches – American goldfinches, house finches, and other seed-eating finches enjoy tomato bits or pieces of ripe fruit.
Orioles – Baltimore and orchard orioles love fruit such as grapes and tomatoes. Cut-up pieces work well for feeders.
Crows: While they eat almost anything, ripe tomatoes can attract crows.
Robins – Robins will happily eat tomatoes, either plucked off the vine or pieces left out for them.
Cedar Waxwings – These gregarious birds have a strong preference for fruits like tomatoes, berries and apples.
Sparrows – House and other sparrows will eat tomato pieces along with other foods left in yards.
Doves – Mourning doves enjoy tomatoes as a supplement to their normal seed diet.

How to Protect Tomato Plants from Birds

While birds primarily target the fruit, they might occasionally cause damage to the plants, especially when searching for insects or nesting materials. However, the main concern for gardeners is usually the ripe fruit.

Here are some bird-friendly methods to protect your tomato plants:

Netting: Covering your tomato plants with bird netting is one of the most effective methods. Ensure the net is secured so birds can’t get trapped inside. Multi-strand netting is the safest for birds.

Reflective Objects: Hanging reflective objects like old CDs, aluminum foil, or even specially designed bird deterrents can scare birds away.

Decoys: Fake predators like owl or snake decoys can deter birds. However, these need to be moved regularly to maintain their effectiveness.

Feeding Stations: Make sure your bird feeder contains preferred foods away from your tomato plants to distract birds.

Garden Layout: Planting certain herbs or flowers that birds don’t like near your tomatoes can act as a natural deterrent.

Here are some plants that can be planted near tomato plants to help deter birds:

Marigolds – Birds dislike the smell of marigolds, so planting them around the perimeter of tomato plants can help repel birds.
Peppermint or Mint – The strong scent of peppermint deters many birds. Grow peppermint plants as a border around tomatoes.
Lavender – The fragrant flowers and foliage of lavender are not appealing to birds. Plant lavender bushes near tomatoes.
Garlic – Birds avoid the pungent smell of garlic. Grow garlic among or near your tomato plants.
Hot peppers – Birds won’t go near hot peppers like cayenne or jalapeño. Intersperse some pepper plants in the tomato patch.
Basil – The smell of basil is off-putting to birds. Plant basil around the edges of the tomato garden.
Sage – The aromatic leaves of sage deter birds. Use sage as an edging plant for tomatoes.