I Tried Feeding Birds Mealworms! (How-to)

Last Updated on January 26, 2024 by Greg Gillson

I’ve heard about it for years. So, I finally tried it. Yes, I fed birds mealworms at my feeder!

Mealworms are most often associated with bluebirds. Many people feed mealworms to nesting bluebirds.

I don’t have bluebirds in town. And it is winter now. So, I wondered what other birds would like them. It turns out they were fairly popular with some of the resident birds in my yard. I’ll tell you more about them, below. But first…

What are mealworms, anyway?

Mealworms are the larval form of the yellow mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor). This Wikipedia page gives more details. These larvae are used as pet food for reptiles, fish, and birds. 

Humans also eat them. Historically they were consumed in Southeast Asia. Today you may find them marketed as Insect Burgers. That’s all I’m going to say about this aspect of mealworms.

The mealworms are yellow-brown and segmented. They have a head on one side and some legs.

Curve-billed Thrasher eating mealworm. Greg Gillson

Why feed birds mealworms?

As mentioned, many people feed mealworms to bluebirds as an additional source of nutrition for the breeding pair and their nestlings.

The adults will eat dried mealworms all year. The parents will feed live mealworms to their nestlings.

Mealworms will attract other birds that normally wouldn’t come to feeders. Thrushes and robins, wrens, thrashers, and other insect eating birds may also eat mealworms.

Mealworms are fed to birds either live or dried

I bought both live mealworms and dried mealworms to feed to birds at my feeder.

Live mealworms are harder to care for and store (see next subheading). 

Dried mealworms are easy. They came in a zip-lock bag.

Do birds prefer live mealworms or dried mealworms?

Birds at my feeder ate both live mealworms and dried mealworms. The Curve-billed Thrashers especially loved the live mealworms. The Gila Woodpeckers seemed to prefer the dried mealworms.

During the nesting season, I expect that live mealworms will be preferred for the parents to feed their nestlings.

Are mealworms good for birds?

Yes, both live mealworms and dried mealworms are a nutritious source of protein for birds. They also contain fat and fiber.

Storing live mealworms

I bought 1000 live mealworms. They arrived in the mailbox. I’m sure they would have died quickly in summer heat (keep below 85F). They came in a cloth bag in a small cardboard box. Inside was a piece of paper egg carton and some oat bran, and all the mealworms.

These mealworms must be stored in the refrigerator to slow their metabolism. They can live 2 weeks this way. If you warm them to room temperature and feed them oat meal with a slice of potato or apple, they will live another 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

I cleaned out the crisper in the fridge and stored the mealworms in the shipping box for the 2 weeks that I fed them to birds.

How do you feed mealworms to birds?

Mealworms in bowl.

You feed live mealworms to birds a bit differently than feeding birds dried mealworms.

If I was trying to feed mealworms to smaller birds, then I’d look for a bird feeder made to keep out larger birds.

Feeding birds live mealworms

Remove a quantity of live mealworms from the refrigerator. Place in a steep-sided bowl. Allow them to warm to room temperature. 

I used a soup bowl at first. Later I found a small clear glass jelly bowl. It needs to be steep-sided and smooth glass because the worms could crawl out, otherwise.

I placed the glass feeding bowl in the shade on the ground, as I don’t have a platform feeder, which would have been better.

At first, I placed only a dozen mealworms out at once. I wasn’t sure how the birds would take to them. It turns out that it took only 5 minutes for the thrashers to inspect and gobble them down. Expect to go through a hundred per day.

At the end of 2 weeks, when the mealworms were nearing the end of their refrigerator storage limit (and Marlene was wanting her refrigerator drawer back), I then put out a couple hundred at once. They lasted overnight. But I would recommend only feeding what the birds could eat in a couple of hours. I don’t want to attract other animals.

Feeding birds dried mealworms

Feeding dried mealworms to birds is easy. Place a quantity in a bowl or on a platform feeder. 

Dried mealworms may be mixed with other bird seed in a hopper feeder (but not a tube feeder).

Some people briefly soak the dried mealworms in water before feeding to birds. This rehydrates them and makes them soft. 

What kind of birds eat mealworms?

Mealworms are especially fed in bird feeders to attract both Eastern and Western Bluebirds.

In my Arizona yard in winter, I saw Curve-billed Thrashers and Gila Woodpeckers eat mealworms. I’m not sure the Cactus Wren ever got a bite. The other two birds are larger and more aggressive. The Cactus Wrens usually only visit when the feeders are quiet.

Interestingly, finches will not eat animal food. My mealworms were ignored by House Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, and Mourning Doves. However, the sparrows may switch to mealworms when feeding nestlings in spring.

Downy Woodpecker. Greg Gillson

Woodpeckers eat mealworms. My Gila Woodpeckers loved the dried mealworms. I expect the very similar Red-bellied Woodpeckers would eat them too. I’m sure all woodpeckers would eat them. Downy Woodpeckers and Northern Flickers visit feeders.

Western Bluebird. Greg Gillson

Bluebirds, robins, and thrushes eat mealworms. Eastern Bluebird, Western Bluebird, American Robin, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush.

Thrashers eat mealworms. Curve-billed Thrashers in the West and Brown Thrashers in the East often visit feeders. Northern Mockingbirds, too.

Chickadees and Titmice eat mealworms. Black-capped Chickadees, Carolina Chickadees, and Tufted Titmice are the most common at feeders. Nuthatches, too: Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch.

Bewick’s Wren. Greg Gillson

Wrens eat mealworms: Carolina Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Cactus Wren, House Wren frequent backyards in various parts of the United States.

WARNING: Starlings, blackbirds, crows, jays will eat mealworms. Thus, some kind of covered mealworm feeder would be a good idea to keep these large birds from gobbling up the expensive mealworms. 

Wrapping Up

There are several reasons why birds love to eat mealworms:

Nutrition: Mealworms are a nutritional powerhouse for birds. They’re packed with protein, fat, and fiber, which are essential for various functions like:

• Muscle development: Growing chicks and fledglings need extra protein for building strong muscles.
• Egg production: Breeding females require high levels of fat and protein for healthy egg development.
• Energy: Mealworms provide a burst of energy, especially during challenging periods like harsh winters or migration.
• Feather growth and maintenance: Protein is crucial for healthy feathers, which are vital for insulation and flight.

Instinct: Many bird species naturally hunt for insects as part of their diet. The wiggling movement of mealworms triggers their hunting instincts, making them irresistible.

Availability: Mealworms are readily available for backyard birds, especially when offered at feeders. This can be particularly helpful during times when natural food sources are scarce, like winter or drought periods.

Variety: Some birds simply enjoy the taste and texture of mealworms as a change from their usual seed-based diet. The wriggling action can also be stimulating and entertaining for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you soak mealworms before feeding to birds?

Whether or not to soak mealworms before feeding them to birds depends on several factors, including the type of bird, the time of year, and your personal preferences but here are some tips:

• Hydration: Dried mealworms are dehydrated, and soaking them replenishes their moisture content, making them easier for birds to digest. This is especially beneficial during dry periods or for feeding young birds who need extra hydration.
• Nutrient content: Soaking can leach out some of the uric acid that accumulates in dried mealworms, potentially making them slightly more nutritious.
• Softening: Soaked mealworms become softer and easier for smaller birds or birds with softer beaks to eat.
• Attractiveness: Some birds seem to prefer the texture and smell of soaked mealworms.

Can birds eat too many mealworms?

Yes, birds can eat too many mealworms. While mealworms are a nutritious treat for birds, overindulging can have negative consequences. Here’s why:

• Protein overload: Mealworms are high in protein, which is essential for birds, but too much can be detrimental. It can put a strain on their kidneys and potentially lead to gout, a painful condition caused by uric acid buildup.
• Calcium deficiency: Mealworms are low in calcium, a crucial mineral for strong bones and egg production. An overreliance on mealworms can lead to calcium deficiency, especially in breeding birds and young chicks, whose bones are still developing.

Can you mix mealworms with bird seed?

Yes, you absolutely can mix mealworms with bird seed! In fact, it’s a great way to offer a variety of healthy foods to your feathered friends. Here’s why:

Benefits of mixing mealworms with bird seed:

• Increased nutritional value: Mealworms are packed with protein, fat, and fiber, which are essential nutrients for birds. Adding them to your bird seed mix can help to provide a more balanced diet.
   
• Attracts a wider variety of birds: Some birds, such as chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers, are more likely to visit feeders that offer mealworms in addition to seed.
   
• Appeals to birds’ natural instincts: Birds are natural insectivores, so they may find mealworms to be more exciting and stimulating than just plain seed.

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