Why You Should Never Give Bread to Birds

Feeding birds—whether at the park, by a pond, or in your own backyard—is a popular way to connect with these beautiful creatures. Hand-feeding wild birds has even become a trend on social media. But it may be doing more harm than good.

While it can feel like a kind gesture, giving bread (in particular) to birds can cause serious long-term health problems and lead to malnutrition. When it comes to feeding birds, it's best to stick to appropriate foods—or simply admire them without feeding. Here, experts explain why bread is dangerous for birds and share healthier alternatives to support their well-being.

Why Bread Is Harmful to Birds

Birds may enjoy bread much like people do, but eating it can be harmful. To stay healthy and develop properly, birds need diets rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, says Tod Winston, birding guide and urban biodiversity specialist at the NYC Bird Alliance.

Bread doesn't have the same nutritional value as other foods, so when they consume too much of it, it causes them to become malnourished. "It's the equivalent of junk food—empty calories with no real nutritional benefit," says Erika Zambello, communications director at Audubon Florida. Not consuming the nutrients that they need affects the development of their wings, which can leave them flightless and dependent on humans.

In addition to having no nutritional value, bread can become moldy fast, especially if the birds don't eat it right away. Eating moldy bread can lead to fungal respiratory diseases and make the birds sick, says Winston.

Effects on Bird Health and the Environment

Birds that eat too much bread can develop a condition called angel wing syndrome, in which their wing bones don't form properly, leaving them unable to fly. The condition is most common in ducks and geese that are fed bread by well-meaning people, according to Winston.

Feeding young birds, like ducklings, can prevent them from learning how to find food on their own and rely on humans to feed them every day. Birds that become dependent on humans for food are at risk of being hit by a car, attacked by predators, or becoming aggressive when people fail to provide them with food. "Sadly, not everyone is kind to birds, so lacking fear of people can put them in danger from people directly, too," says Rachel Frank, animal care manager and rehabber at the Wild Bird Fund, NYC.

"At the Wild Bird Fund, we also definitely see young birds in the city with poor feather quality and issues of metabolic bone disease, where the lack of minerals and nutrients in their diet from eating bread has caused bones and feathers to become more brittle," says Frank.

A significant portion of the bread that humans feed to birds often ends up in nearby water habitats, such as ponds and lakes. Adding bread to the water can cause algae to proliferate, which disrupts the balance in the ecosystem, potentially suffocating fish or plants that birds rely on as a healthy food source, says Frank.

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What to Feed Birds Instead

It's best to admire birds from afar and let them find their own food. If you choose to feed them, use a bird feeder. This lets you enjoy their presence while keeping a safe distance. Different types of birdseed attract different species. For details on which seeds draw which birds, check out Audubon's guide here.

Planting native plants in your garden also provides birds with the best kind of food and shelter, and keeps them coming back to your property year-round.

If You See Someone Feeding Birds

It's important to remember that people who feed birds bread usually do so with good intentions. If you see it happening at a park, notify a park manager. Park staff can handle the situation and explain why it isn't safe for the animals to eat the bread.

For neighborhoods where duck feeding is common, Zambello suggests encouraging your HOA or park managers to post signs that prohibit feeding wildlife as a measure to keep the birds safe.