Birds love mealworms! Not only is this food appealing to birds’ natural instincts, but it is also easy to feed and pretty inexpensive. The best way to feed mealworms to wild birds is by placing some in a shallow bow for them to easily pick out what they want. Or, you can spread mealworms onto some newspapers.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to feed mealworms to birds. Read on to find out more helpful tips.
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How to Feed Mealworms to Birds
Here are some ways for you to feed mealworms:
1. Put Mealworms in a Feeder Specifically Designed for Feeding Mealworms
You can make your starter kit or buy one at any store selling pet supplies. For best results, place feeders out of reach from cats and other predators as well as close enough so birds will notice them quickly.
Make sure there’s no moisture on both ends of the container before putting it outside too!
Pro tip: Put gravel at the bottom of containers if they’re hanging up high to make sure no one (especially cats) knocks them down.
If you’re using feeders with perches, birds will typically land on the perch to eat the worms. If there are no perches, they’ll usually peck at them from the ground.
2. Feed Mealworms Directly to Birds that are Feeder-Trained
This is probably the easiest way of feeding mealworms to birds! All you have to do is place a few mealworms on top of their feed, and they’ll gobble them right up.
You can also scatter them around their feeder for extra fun. Just be careful not to give too many at once, or the birds might choke on them!
Another way is to scatter them on the ground near where your bird feeders are located. This will attract birds that like to eat insects.
3. Feed Mealworms Inside bird Feeders with Large Holes
Birds that feed on feeders with large enough holes can pick up the mealworms one by one. This is an excellent option for smaller birds, like finches and sparrows, but it won’t work as well with larger species of bird or feeder-aggressive birds.
The best type of feeder to use are those made out of smooth plastic because they’ll hold onto the worms better than other types of feeders might.
4. Mealworm Farming
If you have your own food dish/feed area outside for them, many different kinds of wild birds will eat mealworms right off the ground!
Just be sure not to put too much in at once, so there’s not an excess amount left over after everyone has eaten their fill. You can also feed mealworms that have been frozen. This will help keep them fresh for a longer period.
5. Mix Mealworms in with other Bird Food
Another way to feed mealworms to birds is by mixing them in with their regular food. This way, they’ll get used to the taste and won’t be so hesitant to eat the food.
Just make sure not to add too many at once, or else it might throw off their diet!
Please keep in mind that some of these methods may not work well with certain types of birds – always do your research before trying something new out!
What Birds Eat Mealworms?
Many birds eat mealworms. Chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, and other ground-feeding birds will eat them.
Some songbirds, like the bluebird, also feed on mealworms. Furthermore, many raptors or birds of prey feed on mealworms, including hawks, owls, and eagles.
Falcons may also feed on live mealworms when training young falcons to hunt.
Mealworms can be an important food source for some bird species when other food is scarce during the winter months.
Are Dried Mealworms Good for Birds?
It is important that they feed the right type of mealworm and not just any worms. Dried mealworms are suitable for birds because they contain protein, calcium, and fats which help them grow strong bones.
Some people even feed live or frozen insects, but this can be dangerous if their bird doesn’t know how to eat it properly or if there’s something wrong with its nutritional value. When feeding your pet bird insects or worms, be sure to provide it the right size for its species.
Conclusion
Feeding mealworms to birds is a great way to help them get the protein and fat they need. Mealworms are also high in calcium, so feeding them to birds can be good for their health.
Be sure to place your feeders or scattering areas close to trees or another cover so the birds feel safe while they are eating.
You may also want to provide some water nearby so the birds can drink after they have eaten their mealworms. Enjoy watching the birds in your backyard feed on these delicious insects!