What do birds eat?

Birds eat different foods depending on the species, season, and habitat, but common foods include seeds, fruit, insects, nectar, nuts, and sometimes fish or small animals.

Quick scoop

Most birds are not limited to just one food type. Some are seed-eaters, some mostly eat insects, and others are omnivores that mix plant and animal foods.

Common bird foods

• Seeds and grains: very common for finches, sparrows, and many garden birds.
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• Insects and spiders: especially important in spring and summer, and for growing chicks.
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• Fruit and berries: eaten by many birds, especially when insects are scarce.
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• Nectar: important for hummingbirds and some other species.
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• Fish, small animals, and carrion: eaten by carnivorous birds like hawks, eagles, owls, and vultures.
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Seasonal changes

Bird diets often change with the time of year. In spring and summer, many songbirds rely on insects, while in fall and winter, birds that stay put often shift toward fruits and seeds.

For backyard birds

If you are feeding birds near home, popular options include sunflower hearts, peanuts, suet, mealworms, and a variety of seeds.

TL;DR: Birds eat a wide mix of seeds, insects, fruit, nectar, and sometimes meat, depending on the species and season.[1][3]