Do Pigeons Eat Peanuts? (All You Need To Know About Pigeons And Peanuts)

Are you curious about what pigeons eat? You may have seen them pecking at bread crumbs and seeds on the ground. 

But have you ever wondered if they also eat peanuts? Well, pigeons do indeed eat peanuts. In fact, they absolutely love it. Be it shelled or unshelled, peanuts are always a good food source for both wild and domesticated pigeons. 

But do peanuts make an ideal option as pigeon food? In this article, we will explore the depths of this question. From the nutritional value of peanuts to the preferences of these city-dwelling birds, we will uncover the truth about all these. So, keep reading!

Can You Feed Peanuts To Pigeons?

Yes. As we’ve already mentioned above, you can feed peanuts to pigeons. In fact, peanuts can be a good source of protein and fat for birds and can be a tasty treat for them. 

Peanuts are also high in monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and vitamins. These nutrients are beneficial for the overall health of pigeons.

Overall, we consider peanuts a good food source for the following reasons:

• Peanuts are a good source of plant-based protein, which is essential for the growth and repair of tissues in pigeons.
• They also contain healthy fats, which can help to keep pigeons’ feathers healthy and shiny.
• Peanuts are also a good source of antioxidants, which can help to protect pigeons against disease and infections.
• They are also a good source of vitamins B3, B6, E, and K, which are essential for maintaining a healthy nervous system, skin, immune system, and blood health.
• Peanuts contain minerals such as magnesium, copper, and zinc that are necessary for maintaining bone health and metabolism in pigeons.
• They also provide a good source of energy, which can help to keep pigeons active and alert.
• Peanuts are also rich in fiber, which can help to keep pigeons’ digestive systems healthy.

Now, it’s important to remember that peanuts can provide many health benefits when fed in moderation and in combination with a natural diet. But they can also lead to health problems if fed in excess. So, you should only feed peanuts to the pigeons with mixtures of other food in the diet. 

More specifically, feeding pigeons a varied diet that includes seeds, grains, and peanuts will provide them with the necessary nutrients they need for optimal health.

It’s also important to make sure that the peanuts are unsalted and not roasted. That is because the salt and oil used in the roasting process can cause high blood pressure (as suggested in a 2010 study on the elevation of blood pressure due to heated vegetable oils), leading your pigeons to even death.

Do Pigeons Like Peanuts?

Yes. Pigeons, indeed, like to eat peanuts very much. If you go to any city park and throw one handful of peanuts, you will surely see a few pigeons pecking at them within a few minutes. 

Why is it likely to occur? It’s because, like most city-domesticated birds, pigeons also love to munch on peanuts.

Pigeons are attracted to peanuts for a few reasons. 

• As opportunistic feeders, Pigeons will consume various foods, including peanuts. Additionally, peanuts are high in calories, providing the birds with the energy they need to survive.
• Secondly, peanuts have a strong smell and distinct taste that attracts pigeons. As they have a good sense of smell and taste, pigeons quickly flock to a place where peanuts are laid down and available.
• Thirdly, Pigeons are accustomed to finding food in urban areas, and peanuts may be more readily available to them in these environments.

They may also associate peanuts with other food sources they are familiar with, such as bread crumbs, seeds, or other snacks.

In summary, Pigeons get attracted to peanuts for their smell, unique taste, availability, familiarity, and association with human presence.

Health Benefits For Pigeons Eating Peanuts

The composition of peanuts per 100 g is as below (as stated in a 2012 study regarding peanuts):  

• Water: 1.55 g  
• Carbohydrates: 21.51 g  
• Fiber: 8.0 g  
• Lipids (Fats): 49.66 g  
• Proteins: 23.68 g 
• Minerals;
  • Calcium:  54 × 10–3 g
  • Iron:  2.26 × 10–3 g 
  • Magnesium:  176 × 10–3 g
  • Phosphorous:  358 × 10–3 g
  • Potassium:  658 × 10–3 g 
  • Sodium:  6 × 10–3 g
  • Zinc: 3.31 × 10–3 g 
  • Copper:  0.671 × 10–3 g
  • Manganese:  2.083 × 10–3 g
  • Selenium:  7.5 × 10–6 g
• Energy (Total Calories): 2448 kJ (585 kcal)

As you can see, peanuts contain all types of food nutrients essential for an animal’s body growth. Thus, eating peanuts brings the following benefits for pigeons:

• Fast growth and repair of muscles
• Healthy growth in Pigeons’ feathers
• Enhanced protection against disease and infections
• Proper maintenance of the nervous system, skin, immune system, and blood
• Fast bone growth and stable metabolism 
• Staying energetic, active, and alert 
• Healthy digestive system.

How Much Peanuts Should Pigeons Eat?

It’s quite difficult to provide a specific amount of peanuts that pigeons should eat daily, as it can vary depending on factors such as their size, age, and overall health.

However, as a general guideline, we recommend feeding pigeons no more than 10% to 15% of their diet in the form of peanuts. For example, if a pigeon consumes about 30 grams of food daily, no more than 3 to 4.5 grams of that should be peanuts.

It’s also important to provide a balanced diet. That includes a variety of seeds, grains, and other foods to ensure that pigeons are getting all the necessary nutrients they need for optimal health. Additionally, it’s important to provide clean and fresh water at all times.

How Do You Prepare Peanuts For Pigeons?

Here are some specific guidelines on how you can prepare peanuts for your pigeons. Follow the steps. 

Step 1. Use raw, unsalted peanuts: It’s important to avoid giving pigeons salted or roasted peanuts.

Step 2. Remove the shells: Pigeons may have difficulty eating peanuts that are still in their shells, so it’s best to remove them before feeding.

Step 3. Crush or chop the peanuts: Depending on the size of the peanuts, you may need to crush or chop them into smaller pieces to make them easier for pigeons to eat.

Step 4. Mix with other food: To provide a balanced diet, it’s recommended to mix peanuts with other foods such as birdseed, cracked corn, or other grains.

Step 5. Provide fresh and clean water: Always make sure that pigeons have access to fresh and clean water, as they need it to properly digest their food.

Now let’s have a look at a video of a pigeon eating peanuts:

As you can see in this video, pigeons love to munch on raw and unshelled peanuts. Now, aside from directly feeding peanuts, you can also go creative and make some unique food for your pigeons with peanut butter as well. 

We’ve provided some suggestions for you on that below:

• Peanut Butter Cornmeal: Mix equal parts of peanut butter and cornmeal.
• Peanut Butter Suet: Mix equal parts of peanut butter, cornmeal, rolled oats, and flour. Add a little bit of water to make the mixture sticky. Shape it into a ball and hang it on a tree or feeder.
• Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Balls: Mix together rolled oats, crushed peanuts, and a little bit of water. Roll the mixture into small balls and offer them to the pigeons.

Can You Feed Peanuts To Baby Pigeons? 

No. You should not feed peanuts to baby pigeons. Baby pigeons are fed a secretion from the adults known as “pigeon milk,” which is rich in protein, fat, and carbohydrates. 

This secretion is produced by both parents and is fed to the squabs through regurgitation. As they grow, squabs are gradually introduced to seeds and grains as a supplement to pigeon milk.

So, we do not recommend feeding peanuts to baby pigeons (also known as squabs). It’s because they have a specific diet that they need to follow during their development. And, mind you, feeding them something that is not part of their natural diet can be harmful.

Peanuts are a popular snack for both humans and birds, but are they safe for pigeons to eat? If you’re curious about what other foods pigeons can consume, be sure to check out our articles on whether pigeons eat mice and whether they eat rice. Our article on do pigeons eat mice explores the behavior of pigeons and their occasional consumption of mice, while our article on do pigeons eat rice provides insights into this popular human-provided food and its suitability for pigeons. These resources offer valuable information and expert advice to help you make informed decisions about what to feed your feathered friends.

FAQs

Let’s get to know some frequently asked questions related to this topic:

Final Words

Well, that’s all there’s to it, people. Now that you’ve got a skinny on this query, do pigeons eat peanuts? Yes. Pigeons do like eating peanuts. Moreover,  peanuts can be a good food source for both wild and domesticated pigeons as you can see from this discussion.

But they cannot be the staple food for pigeons because birds should always have a diversified diet list to have healthy growth and immune system. Best wishes to your pigeons!