I
recently read, "squirrels eat popcorn and they enjoy it too. Popcorn contains vitamins and minerals such as copper, manganese, vitamin B1 vitamin B3, zinc and others. Popcorn is also a good source of fibre. Leave a bowl of popcorn out in squirrel populated areas and allow squirrels to freely come and eat as they please."
Upon my reading this information I did an experiment to see if the
squirrel who has been visiting
my garden since July 8th (I know he/she is the same one because of the broken skin on his/her forehead) would nibble on
popcorn if I shared mine with him/her; and as you can see from the photographs atop this entry of a squirrel enjoying this taste treat, I apparently did not come across fake news in terms of squirrels liking popcorn.
The aforementioned source also states,
"Popcorn is actually a wholegrain food, it is packed with various nutrients and minerals including vitamin B1, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc and manganese. Popcorn also contains high amounts of fibre, it is one of the best sources of fibre per gram... Popcorn is a great squirrel food and squirrels love it too. As long as you don’t give squirrels popcorn drenched in butter or spice then the popcorn will be good for the squirrel..."
"My" visiting squirrel is proof that "
squirrels love it," as evidenced by the images atop my entry as well as the ones that are directly below.
The aforementioned resource page for squirrels eating popcorn has this to say re birds eating popcorn:
"Popcorn is not only great to give to squirrels but popcorn is also good to give to birds as well. Birds love eating popcorn. They eat both the popped variety and the un-popped kernel variety. You can boil the kernels, it makes the kernels easier to eat, use regular plain water to do this...Just as with squirrels you shouldn’t give your birds salted, spiced or microwaved popcorn. The high salt and fat content of the popcorn is bad for the animal’s health. The salt can even cause kidney failure."
I have been blessed enough to witness
birds eating popcorn while paying a visit to my garden.
A few of my observations can be found in the next sequence of photographs that include the avian creatures known as
Blue jays...
...the avian creatures known as
house sparrows...
... a bird type who will sometimes be found eating it while a nearby (but social distancing or wellness distancing)
American robin noshes on
champagne grapes.
In any event, this web-page I've been referencing, reiterates "
Popcorn should also not contain salt, the addition of sodium to a squirrel's diet will result in an increased heart rate. This could lead to the squirrel’s early death."
I'm not sure what salt does to birds but I serve my creatures popcorn without the addition of anything and the squirrel seen in all the images featured with this post as well as my birds seem very satisfied eating popcorn that has been prepared this way.
I'll conclude with a few more images of "my" squirrel enjoying his/her taste treat...
...and a notation that all the birds seen in this entry (and many more not seen here) are featured in my three volume book series,
Words In Our Beak...
...where the stories are set in my rooftop garden, a place enjoyed by many members of the wildlife community.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.