February marks a critical time for garden birds as natural food sources dwindle, and gardeners are being urged to help by filling feeders with a surprising leftover—rice. Contrary to a persistent myth, both cooked and uncooked rice is safe for birds, as long as it is unsalted and not instant.
Kayleigh Jacobs-Rutter from the Woodland Trust explained: "Both cooked and uncooked rice is a suitable snack for hungry birds, so long as it's unsalted. It's also a good idea to rinse your rice to get rid of excess starch before putting it out. And don't use instant rice - it's just not suitable."
The myth that rice expands in birds' stomachs and causes them to explode has no scientific basis and likely originated from efforts to discourage rice-throwing at weddings. Birds naturally eat grains and can digest rice easily, but they cannot tolerate salt, so any rice offered must be plain and free from seasoning, butter, or fats.
While rice provides a carbohydrate energy boost, it lacks protein and fat, which birds need to build reserves and stay warm. Therefore, rice should only form a small part of their diet. Gardeners are advised to offer a balanced mix of foods, including grated cheese, boiled eggs, unsalted peanuts, and finely chopped bacon rinds (rinsed to remove salt).
Leftover vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, cabbage, peas, and sweetcorn are also suitable, as are fruits like pears, grapes, melon, and berries—cut into bite-sized pieces. However, apple seeds must be removed, and citrus fruits and avocados should be avoided entirely as they contain persin, a compound toxic to birds that can cause heart damage or death.
