Nov 18, 2025

My Kitchen Guide: What I'm Feeding My Backyard Birds This Winter

The other morning, I looked out my window and saw a little chickadee, feathers all puffed up, clinging to the empty feeder. It’s tough out there! When the ground is frozen and insect is buried, berries are gone, our local birds are burning massive energy just to stay warm.

I used to think "bird food" was just that seed mix from the store. But it turns out, what to feed birds in winter from the kitchen can be a total game-changer. Our pantries are often full of safe, high-energy snacks.

But before you toss out your leftovers, let's talk about what works and what’s dangerous.

The Good Stuff: My Birds' Favorite Kitchen Scraps

Birds need fat, protein, and carbs. Here are the kitchen leftovers that work wonders at my feeder.

Protein Options for Strength: I get asked all the time, "can bird eat cooked lentils?" Yes! They're a fantastic, cheap protein source. Just make sure they're plain (no salt!). Other hits include plain scrambled or hard-boiled eggs and even a little grated, mild cheese.
Healthy Grains from the Kitchen: Forget the bread (more on that in a second). Healthy grains from the kitchen are what they really need. Uncooked rolled oats are a huge hit. Leftover plain cooked rice or pasta (chopped small) and even unsweetened, crushed cereal (like plain cornflakes or bran) are great carbs.
Fruits for a Quick Energy Hit: For fruits to add natural sweetness and a quick sugar boost, you can't go wrong with apple or pear chunks. I just make sure to pull out the seeds. Raisins (soaked in a little warm water first so they're soft) and berries are also devoured instantly.
The Ultimate Winter Fuel (Fats): The best kitchen leftovers that work are fats. Plain, unsalted suet or fat trimmings from the butcher are pure gold. Even a little plain, unsalted bacon grease (in moderation!) smeared on a log will be a lifesaver for them.

But Wait! A Quick Word of Warning

Learning how to safely feed birds from the kitchen in winter is the most important part. Giving them the wrong thing can be deadly.

My "Never-Ever" List:

Bread or Crackers: I know it's tempting, but bread is junk food. It fills birds up without giving them the fat and protein they need to survive the cold.
Salt: Birds can't process salt like we do. Avoid anything salty—no salted nuts, no chips, no seasoned leftovers.
Avocado, Onions, Garlic: These are all toxic to most birds.
Moldy or Rancid Food: If you wouldn't eat it, don't feed it to them.
Chocolate or Caffeine: Obvious, but worth saying!

My Top Tip for Feeding Small Birds Safely

When I first started, I noticed the big blue jays would swoop in and take all the best stuff. For feeding small birds safely, the trick is to chop everything small.

Chickadees, finches, and nuthatches need bite-sized pieces. I'll crush nuts, chop fruit, and shred any leftover pasta. This gives the little guys a chance to grab a bite and go.

My Favorite Upgrade: The Smarter Way to Feed Birds in Garden

For years, we just enjoyed the view from my window. But last Christmas, I splurged on smarter bird feeding in winter with a smart bird feeder camera, and it's been the best thing ever.

I get notifications on my phone when a bird lands, and the camera's AI tells me what it is. I've identified four new species this winter alone! It's amazing to see close-ups of them enjoying the oats or lentils I put out. It turns your feeding station into a personal nature documentary.

It's a small effort for us, but sharing our kitchen scraps (safely!) is a critical lifeline for them.

Happy bird feeding!