During the warm summer months, it’s common to see people eating juicy slices of watermelon outside. The sweet treat is not only refreshing for humans on a hot day, but you may notice birds eagerly eying the fruit as well.
If you’re wondering whether birds can or should eat watermelon, you’re not alone.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Most birds can and do eat watermelon when given the opportunity. Watermelon provides hydration and nutrients, making it a beneficial snack for many bird species.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore the details around birds and watermelons. We’ll look at what types of birds eat watermelon, which parts of the fruit they consume, nutrition information, and potential risks.
We’ll also provide tips on how to safely offer watermelon to feathered visitors in your yard or at your bird feeders.
What Types of Birds Eat Watermelon?
Small Songbirds
Many small songbirds, such as finches, sparrows, titmice, chickadees, nuthatches and orioles, will readily eat watermelon (Audubon). These birds have small beaks that allow them to pick away at watermelon flesh.
Their high metabolism means they need to eat frequently, so having access to watermelon can provide them with an excellent source of hydration and nutrition.
American goldfinches, for example, are particularly fond of watermelon. Their small size allows them to perch on a watermelon feeder and nibble on the fruit. Goldfinches will often return to the feeder multiple times a day once they discover it.
Other finches, like the house finch, will also feed on watermelon.
Smaller birds tend to prefer watermelon flesh over the rind. They will pick at the red flesh, consuming both the juicy parts as well as any small seeds they encounter. The flesh provides small birds with hydration from its high water content.
It also provides important nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and lycopene. The seeds offer protein and healthy fats.
Larger Birds
In addition to smaller birds, some larger bird species will take advantage of watermelon as a food source (The Spruce). For example, crows, jays, magpies, grackles and starlings will eat watermelon when given the opportunity.
Birds like American crows are omnivorous and make use of a wide variety of food sources, including fruit.
Larger birds are better equipped than smaller species to eat through a watermelon rind to access the flesh. Strong beaks allow them to carve out chunks of the melon. Some larger birds will consume both the flesh and any seeds, while others may spit out the seeds after scraping off the soft fruit.
In addition to flesh, bigger birds will also pick at and ingest the watermelon rinds. The rinds provide dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. Birds like European starlings often forage in groups, so a single watermelon can provide food for multiple birds at one time.
In general, any bird species attracted to fruit is likely to show interest in freshly cut watermelon put out in a yard or garden. The fruit provides abundant nutrition and hydration during warmer summer months when other water sources may be scarce.
Parts of the Watermelon Consumed by Birds
Flesh
The juicy red flesh of the watermelon is enjoyed by many species of birds as a hydrating, sweet treat. Birds such as robins, blue jays, sparrows, crows, and finches relish the flesh and will happily feast on any discarded watermelon rinds they discover.
According to the Audubon Society, the soft texture and high water content of 90-92% make watermelon an ideal food for birds to consume and digest easily.
Fruit-eating birds have specialized beaks and digestive systems to process the sugars and pulp in the watermelon’s flesh. Their ability to find ripe, sweet watermelons demonstrates a learned behavior passed between generations.
Multiple species flocking to the same watermelon shows that birds communicate food sources to each other.
Rind
In addition to the flesh, many birds also peck away at the outer green rind of watermelon. Though not as pulpy or hydrating as the interior flesh, the rind still contains moisture, fiber, and nutrients that birds seek out.
Birds have been observed nibbling the rind for moisture then tossing it aside to get to the flesh. This shows an intelligence about which watermelon parts provide the most food value. Some pest birds like starlings may also chew the rind to reach any leftover fruit still clinging to it.
Seeds
The small dark seeds scattered throughout a watermelon’s flesh are often swallowed whole by birds. Species with large gapes like crows easily down the hard seeds. And songbirds like goldfinches nimbly pick them from the discarded rinds.
As an adaption, some seeds pass intact through birds’ digestive systems, ready to sprout wherever the birds defecate. So birds that eat watermelon help disperse seeds and expand watermelons’ growing range.
Based on a Stanford University study, seeds that passed through birds germinated faster than normal unconsumed seeds.
| Bird species observed | Watermelon parts consumed |
| Robins | Flesh, rind |
| Crows | Flesh, rind, seeds |
| Sparrows | Flesh, seeds |
As the table shows, different birds use watermelons as a food source in different ways depending on their size, beaks, digestive systems, and nutritional needs. But almost all birds relish watermelon flesh as a sweet hydrating snack on hot summer days.
Nutritional Value of Watermelon for Birds
Water Content
Watermelons are comprised of over 90% water, making them an excellent way for birds to stay hydrated, especially during hot summer months. The high water content helps birds maintain proper fluid balance and prevents dehydration.
Many backyard bird species like mourning doves, blue jays, and robins can be seen eating watermelon to get their daily dose of fluids.
Vitamins and Minerals
Watermelons contain decent amounts of several vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for bird health. One cup of watermelon has over 15% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A and vitamin C for humans. Birds need these vitamins for immune system function and vision.
Watermelon is also a source of potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants like lycopene and citrulline.
Sugar Content
The natural sugars in watermelon can provide birds with a quick energy boost. However, the seeds and flesh nearest to the rind tend to be lower in sugar than the central red flesh. This allows birds to regulate their sugar intake.
While fruit sugar can be healthy in moderation, too much can lead to obesity and other health issues in birds if they overindulge.
Potential Risks of Feeding Watermelon to Birds
Choking Hazard
Watermelon has high water content and the flesh is quite soft and slippery. This means watermelon pieces can easily slide down a bird’s throat before being properly chewed and digested (Lafeber). Larger chunks risk getting lodged in a bird’s windpipe, blocking their airway and causing them to choke.
To reduce this risk, any watermelon given to birds should be diced into tiny, bite-sized pieces first.
Pesticides
Conventionally grown watermelons may contain traces of pesticides like chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin which are toxic to birds (Audubon Society). Make sure any watermelon offered to backyard birds is certified organic. Thoroughly washing the rind can also help remove surface chemical residues.
Artificial Sweeteners
Some farmers inject watermelons with artificial sweeteners to boost their flavor. However, sweeteners like saccharin and aspartame can be quite dangerous if ingested by birds. These substances may trigger digestive issues, sickness, or even death in avians (Wild Birds Unlimited).
It’s best not to allow pet birds to nibble store-bought watermelon as the safety of added ingredients is uncertain.
Tips for Safely Offering Watermelon to Birds
Cut into Bite-Sized Pieces
When feeding watermelon to birds, it’s important to cut the fruit into small, bite-sized pieces. Birds have tiny beaks, so large chunks of watermelon can be difficult for them to eat. Cutting the watermelon into 1/2″ or 1″ cubes makes it easy for birds like finches, chickadees, and cardinals to pick up and swallow the fruit comfortably.
Avoid Pesticide Residue
Always wash watermelon thoroughly before feeding it to birds. Watermelon rinds often have pesticide residue on them from the growth and harvesting process. Give them a good scrub under running water and pat dry before cutting up the flesh.
This removes any chemical residues that could be harmful to birds.
Monitor for Choking
Though watermelon flesh is soft, it can still pose a choking hazard for some birds. Keep an eye on birds as they eat to ensure the watermelon pieces are an appropriate size. If you notice a bird having difficulty swallowing a piece, remove any large chunks and cut the remaining watermelon into smaller bits before offering it again.
Provide Seeds Separately
Many birds enjoy eating the small black watermelon seeds along with the fruit. However, the seeds can be tricky for some species like hummingbirds to handle. It’s best to remove the seeds from the watermelon flesh and serve them in a separate shallow dish.
That way birds can enjoy both the juicy melon and the nutritious seeds easily.
Conclusion
Watermelon can be a tasty and nutritious snack for many species of birds when provided properly. The flesh provides hydration, while the seeds offer protein and healthy fats. However, birds should only be fed bite-sized, pesticide-free pieces to minimize any choking hazards.
If you want to share some of your watermelon bounty with local and visiting birds this summer, be sure to follow the tips covered in this article. The birds will likely appreciate the refreshing, sweet treat on a hot day.
Just be sure to monitor them while they eat and remove any uneaten pieces quickly to avoid attracting pests and insects.
