It’s true. Birds go nuts for the fat- and protein-packed treat that is super easy for backyard bird-watchers to serve. Peanuts in almost any form are a lifesaver in the depths of winter, but they will draw a huge crowd year-round.
“Don’t underestimate the attractiveness of peanuts in the shell,” says Scott Edwards, guest editor of the National Bird-Feeding Society. “Blue jays seem to prefer them this way, and woodpeckers, chickadees and titmice will take them on as well.” Peanuts in the shell tempt cardinals, chickadees, mockingbirds and more. Serve them chopped and birds that typically eat soft foods, such as tanagers, wrens, bluebirds and thrashers, come to the peanut feast.
Raw or roasted? It’s a common question, and both are beloved by birds, but “we generally recommend against salted…