Bird diets are not restricted to only insects, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits. Birds, especially pigeons are known to eat a variety of foods, even some human foods.
Because these birds are opportunistic feeders their diets are more varied than the traditional foods that we think they eat. But, do pigeons eat bananas?
This article explores whether pigeons eat bananas. So, if you’re a pigeon owner, a pigeon lover or are simply curious then read on.
Pigeons do eat bananas, pigeons eat a variety of fruits in the wild and bananas are one of them. This fruit contains vitamin A, vitamin b6, iron and magnesium which pigeons need for the normal functioning of their bodies.
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Do pigeons eat bananas?
Giving pigeons foods like bananas and other fruits is a great way to add variety to the bird’s diet. Bananas are packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals including, but not limited to, vitamin A, vitamin B6, magnesium, and iron.
Nutrients in bananas that will benefit birds:
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is beneficial to your bird as it helps maintain the bird’s eyesight, eye health, hearing, maintains the bird’s bones, and maintains the bird’s mucus membranes.
Vitamin A deficiency is quite common with birds and without this vitamin, your bird can suffer from a weak immune system, respiratory diseases, and poor growth and development
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is critical to birds as it is needed for the proper metabolism of amino acids. If a bird does not get enough or any vitamin b6 in its body the bird can express jerky motions as well as spasmodic convulsions.
Magnesium
Magnesium is very important for birds as it allows for optimum digestion of foods as well as good absorption of vitamins and minerals into the bird’s body.
If the bird’s body lacks magnesium, the bird’s body will deteriorate, magnesium ensures that a bird’s beak, bones, nerve impulses, feathers, brain neurons, heart and muscle coordination are all working properly and are healthy
Iron
Iron is needed to produce hemoglobin in the bird’s body. Oxygen is carried in the blood of birds and hemoglobin is needed in order for the blood to carry oxygen. Iron creates hemoglobin. Without hemoglobin, birds can suffer from anemia
Do pigeons eat banana peels?
Humans sometimes eat banana peels and pigeons can too. That being said, you should always be weary when feeding birds banana peels.
The bananas that we eat and feed birds are usually non-organic, thus, they will usually have a layer of pesticides to prevent pests from ruining the crop as it grows.
Pesticides are very dangerous to birds and other animals. Pesticides can cause illness and even death in birds. These chemicals have been linked to population decline, local extinction and behavioral changes in pigeons
Banana peels are nutritious, they contain polyunsaturated fats, potassium, fiber, and essential amino acids. The peel also contains cellulose, cellulose aids in digestion. Both birds and humans cannot digest cellulose.
Cellulose will simply pass through the bird and become expelled just as any other type of fibre would.
How to feed bananas to pigeons
You can feed your pigeon cut-up bananas or a whole peeled banana.
Feeding your pigeon a whole peeled banana will enable it to chomp off as much banana as it desires. Not having the food cut up gives them the opportunity to engage with their food by biting it themselves.
Avoid giving your bird banana peels as most will be covered in pesticides. Washing the peels before serving them may or may not remove all the pesticides.
If you want the bird to eat banana peels rather purchase organic bananas. These are grown without pesticides and will thus be safe for your bird to eat.
Avoid cooking bananas meant for your bird. The cooking process strips bananas of nutrients. Cooked bananas will simply fill your bird up without delivering nutrients.
Also, remember to incorporate a variety of fruits in your bird’s diet, three pieces of fruit a day is a good amount
Conclusion
In conclusion, yes pigeons can definitely eat bananas. These fruits are packed with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin b6, iron, and magnesium which are all needed to maintain the bird’s body.
When feeding bananas to birds do not cook them as this strips them of their nutrients. In addition, if you’re wanting to feed birds banana peels feed them organic banana peels as non-organic peels contain pesticides
If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other pigeon related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Do pigeons eat acorns?, Do pigeons eat corn?, Do pigeons eat grass?, Do pigeons eat fish?, Do pigeons eat other birds eggs?, Do pigeons eat popcorn?, Do pigeons eat mice?