Many of us know Indian corn as a decorative piece associated with thanksgiving. In fact, some types of Indian corn are grown for ornamental use only. These multicoloured ears are harder than the regular corn that we eat but in theory, they are edible. Indian corn is one of the oldest varieties of corn and can come in colours such as blue, red and white. If prepared to eat, this corn can add vibrant colours to your meals. But what about birds? Can birds eat Indian corn? This article explores whether birds can eat Indian corn. 

Birds can certainly eat Indian corn. This corn may be less sweet, more starchy and harder than regular corn but birds will eat it all the same. Indian corn is packed with a number of vitamins and minerals that the birds body can use. If you’re looking to feed larger birds, serve them whole corn, smaller birds will enjoy cracked corn.

Can birds eat Indian corn?

Indian corn has a rather tough exterior and a starchy taste but birds will still enjoy it. Painted mountain corn in particular has great nutritional benefits not only for animals but for humans too. This type of corn offers more antioxidants than regular yellow corn and the purple, blue, black and dark red kernels offer a variety of proteins and vitamins too. The darker the corn colour, the darker the levels of anthocyanin (a flavonoid that has antioxidant effects), higher than blueberries. 

This corn is not as sweet as the regular yellow corn that birds are used to but it is an excellent choice as bird feed. The type of Indian corn that is grown for feeding animals is softer and has a protein content of around 13%. Unfortunately, if your bird is accustomed to being fed more sweet foods then it may not enjoy this variety of corn. Because of its starchy texture, this corn will taste more like hominy

Indian corn will attract a variety of birds. The larger whole corn kernels will attract larger birds as this type is easier for them to eat. Smaller birds will prefer cracked corn as this is easier for them to eat. 

How to serve Indian corn to birds

One easy way to serve Indian corn to birds is to slice the ears of corn in half along the length of it, leave these half’s where birds frequent and allow them to eat 

Indian corn kernels can also be thrown on the ground for birds to peck at. Pecking at the ground to find food allows birds the satisfaction of foraging rather than having the corn fed to them. This also has the benefit of getting birds to get some exercise during the day. 

Another way to serve Indian corn to birds is to remove the kernels off of the cob and pop them to make popcorn. Birds enjoy the taste of popcorn, in addition, they enjoy the crunch that comes with eating popcorn. Use a little bit of oil to pop the kernels and avoid adding spices or any seasonings to taste. For added flavour, you can add a little coconut oil to the popped popcorn to make it more enjoyable to birds. 

This corn can also be boiled, steamed, grilled or roasted. The boiled or steamed variety has the benefit of delivering added water to your bird as it eats it. Grilled or roasted Indian corn has a crunch that birds will enjoy eating. All these cooking methods add great texture to the corn. 

Can birds eat dried Indian corn?

Yes, birds can eat dried Indian corn. Dried corn is used in birdseed mixes. If your bird enjoys the taste of Indian corn it can also eat the dried variety. Your bird will enjoy dry corn because of its crunchy texture. This type of corn retains all the nutrients that may be lost if you were to cook the corn. 

Note: Before feeding your bird dried corn it is important to wash it first, this removes the dirt, debris and anything else that may be in the corn. Doing this will ensure that the corn is safe and clean. 

Will birds eat corn on the cob?

Birds will definitely eat corn on the cob. They enjoy pecking at the cob to get their food and find this to be a great snack. They will peck each kernel off of the cob and most do not find it hard to do so. That being said, if you find that your pet is struggling to remove corn from the cob then you can help it. Indian corn can be especially difficult to remove. If the corn is too hard for the bird to pluck you can remove the kernels yourself and soak them in some water to allow them to soften a bit. You can also proceed to cut the kernels into smaller pieces 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, yes, birds can eat Indian corn. Indian corn offers birds a number of beneficial vitamins and minerals. This corn is more starchy than the sweeter yellow corn but your bird may enjoy it regardless. You can cook the corn or serve it raw and you can also serve the bird corn on the cob

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other bird related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Can birds eat ice cream?, Can birds eat onions?, Can birds eat popcorn?, Can birds eat peaches?