The Breakfast That’s Killing Birds

Why Bread, Oats & Cereal Are a No-Go

It’s a familiar sight—someone tossing scraps of bread or oats to a flock of birds, thinking they’re doing a good deed. But what if we told you that these common breakfast staples are actually harming our native wildlife? Bread, cereal, and even uncooked oats can cause serious health issues for birds in Mandurah, yet many people don’t realise the damage they’re doing. Let’s break down why these foods belong on your plate—not in a bird’s beak.

1. Bread: The Empty Calories That Starve Birds

White bread, wholemeal, multigrain—it doesn’t matter. Bread has little to no nutritional value for birds, filling their stomachs without giving them the essential proteins, fats, and vitamins they need. Young birds, in particular, can suffer from malnutrition, developing deformities or struggling to grow strong enough to survive. Worse still, soggy bread can become a breeding ground for mould, which can lead to fatal infections.

2. Cereal: The Sugary, Salty, Processed Problem

Most cereals are packed with sugar, salt, and artificial additives—none of which belong in a bird’s diet. Magpies, cockatoos, and pigeons who consume too much processed food can suffer from dehydration, obesity, and organ damage. Some cereals also contain preservatives and synthetic vitamins that can disrupt a bird’s natural digestive system.

3. Oats: The Surprising Danger

Oats might seem like a safe alternative, but dry, uncooked oats can actually cause dehydration in birds, swelling in their stomachs and leading to digestive issues. Cooked oats, meanwhile, become a sticky mess that can harden around a bird’s beak and feathers, making it difficult for them to eat and preen properly.

4. The Behavioural Damage

Beyond the health risks, feeding birds these human foods also encourages dependency. Birds that regularly receive handouts lose their natural foraging instincts, becoming reliant on humans for food. This can lead to overcrowding, increased disease transmission, and even aggression among birds competing for easy meals.

5. What Should You Do Instead?

The best way to support native birds isn’t by feeding them—it’s by creating a bird-friendly environment. Plant native trees and shrubs like grevilleas, banksias, and bottlebrushes to provide them with the food and shelter they naturally rely on. A well-planned native garden can attract everything from honeyeaters to black cockatoos without putting their health at risk.

The Bottom Line: Let Birds Be Birds

Feeding birds is something many of us have enjoyed. It feels good to head to the park or estuary on a sunny day, sit by the water, toss a few crumbs and watch them gather. It's peaceful, nostalgic, and it can feel like a sweet connection to nature. the birds seem to love it too, right? But the truth is most of what we are feeding them isn't actually good for them, not to mention 'It is an offence in Western Australia to feed native fauna, including birds, without a licence. Fines of up to $20,000 are part of updated regulations under Section 155 of the West Australian Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.'

If you want to help, the best thing to do is let them be wild. Our native wildlife doesn't need handouts- it needs a healthy, thriving ecosystem. By planting the right flora and letting birds forage naturally, you’ll be giving them the best chance to stay strong, wild, and independent. 

Watch from a distance, protect their habitat, and if you come across one that's injured or unwell, reach out to Mandurah Wildlife or a local ranger. Letting birds be birds is not just okay - its what they need most.

Join us at Mandurah Wildlife as a volunteer and be part of the real change that keeps our native birds, lizards and marsupials safe, healthy and thriving.

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