Whether we live in the countryside or a bustling city, most of us have seen a fox during our lifetime. But how much do you know about one of the UK’s most iconic animals?
Most foxes live in rural areas including woodland, farmland and wetland habitats. But that doesn’t mean you’ll see a fox when you next go for a country walk – rural foxes are very shy. You are more likely to see an urban fox trotting down the street or denning under your shed!
For those who enjoy feeding backyard birds a visit from a fox can be alarming. Seeing a fox snooping around the bird feeders or bird bath may make you wonder – do foxes eat bird seed? Let’s take a close look at the fox diet and feeding behavior to determine if bird seed is really on the menu.
Understanding the Opportunistic Fox Diet
Foxes are omnivorous canids, meaning they will eat both plant and animal matter. More specifically, they are opportunistic feeders, taking advantage of whatever food sources are readily available.
The bulk of a fox’s natural diet consists of small mammals like mice, voles, rabbits, and rats They also prey on birds, eggs, reptiles, amphibians, and fish Insects like beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers are a key food source as well.
Foxes will also eat fruits and berries in season. Seeds and grains can comprise 10-20% of their diet at certain times of year. On occasion, foxes will scavenge on carrion and garbage.
So while foxes prefer live prey, they are adaptable and will eat almost anything they can get. Their diverse palate allows them to take advantage of seasonal abundance.
Bird Seed Alone Doesn’t Attract Foxes
If bird seed isn’t a primary food source, why do foxes seem attracted to backyard bird feeders? There are a few reasons:
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Easy Access to Spilled Seed – Foxes will readily eat any spilled sunflower seeds, millet, cracked corn, etc from the ground under feeders
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Presence of Rodents – Rats and mice inevitably gather under feeders, attracted to the seed. Their scent and activity draws hunting foxes.
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Accessible Water Source – Bird baths provide drinking water that foxes will utilize.
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Shelter – Foxes rest under deck and patio overhangs near feeders and baths.
So while foxes aren’t actively pursuing backyard birds, they capitalize on the resources concentrated around bird feeding stations.
Cascading Effects Around Feeders
Bird feeders have a cascading effect, intentionally attracting birds but also enticing other wildlife like squirrels, chipmunks, and rodents. These animals then attract foxes and other predators.
There is a whole ecosystem that develops around feeders, with a food chain from seeds to rodents to foxes. Understanding these interconnections helps manage consequences like predation.
Do Foxes Actually Eat Much Bird Seed?
Foxes may nibble on readily available sunflower seeds, but the seed itself is just a supplemental part of their diet.
Some key points:
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Seeds lack the protein and nutrients foxes need to thrive compared to animal prey.
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Foxes are far more drawn to the presence of rodents feeding on seed.
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Any consumption of seed is opportunistic, not active predation.
So bird seed itself is just a convenient snack, not a dietary staple. The rodents are the real draw.
Deterring Foxes From Bird Areas
If foxes around feeders are a concern, there are humane ways to discourage their presence:
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Clean up spilled seeds to remove the food attractant.
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Use specialized “squirrel-proof” feeders to minimize spillage.
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Install feeders on poles or hang from tree limbs to make hard to access.
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Use motion-activated sprinklers or lights to startle foxes.
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Remove hiding places like dense brush and block access under decks.
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Use repellents like predator urine or chili pepper powder.
Providing Alternate Food Sources
One strategy is offering fox-friendly food sources away from prized bird feeding areas:
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Plant mini-orchards with fruit trees and berry bushes.
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Create a compost pile to attract insects and rodents.
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Supply raw meats or dog food away from bird zones.
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Provide natural habitat with logs, brush piles, and native vegetation.
Prioritizing Bird Safety
When foxes are drawn to your yard, focus first on keeping birds safe:
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Place feeders in open areas with good visibility.
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Choose weighted feeders that squirrels can’t topple.
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Use feeders with seed catch trays.
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Provide roosting boxes for quick escape.
Appreciating Foxes’ Role in Nature
Foxes play an important role in balancing rodent populations and cleaning up waste. By understanding their behavior, you can take steps for peaceful coexistence and a healthy backyard ecosystem with birds and foxes.
The Verdict: Bird Seed Isn’t a Primary Fox Food
While foxes may snack on readily available bird seed, they are far more interested in the rodents attracted to feeders. With smart feeder placement and deterrents, you can still enjoy feeding birds while minimizing fox issues. Learning about the ecosystem around your yard leads to sustainable wildlife management.
What can I feed foxes in my garden?
There is some controversy around feeding the foxes in your garden, but if you feed them in the right way, they can bring a huge amount of joy to your family.
Avoid:
- Trying to tame, touch or hand-feed foxes, especially in urban areas. As wild animals, they should be respected and deterred from becoming too bold. Many people are scared of urban foxes because they mistake their inquisitive behaviour for aggression.
- Putting out excessive amounts of food that could encourage foxes to become overconfident.
- Putting out food they can take away and cache. Offering something they can eat on the spot discourages them from digging up neighbours’ gardens!
- Leaving out food uneaten by foxes that could attract unwanted visitors like rats.
The bulk of a fox’s diet is made up of meat protein, so the best things to feed your local foxes are cooked or raw meat, or tinned dog food. They are also fond of peanuts, fruit and cheese.
Foxes can be fed all year round but should follow a set feeding routine. This encourages them to return to your garden at a certain time to wait for their meal. Food is less likely to be left standing, which in turn discourages rats.
Credit: Jamie Hall / iStock.com
What noise does a fox make?
Foxes can make around 28 different sounds. Despite this, they are a mostly silent animal; calling is largely during the winter breeding season. You are most likely to hear one of two distinctive fox noises: the male dog fox’s barking call and the female vixen’s chilling scream.
A dog fox bark is a loud ‘A-woo!’ that sounds much like a domestic canine. They use this contact call to communicate with friends and rivals. Listen to a dog fox bark.
Vixens sound more like screaming humans! Their sharp ‘Woooo!’ rises and then tails off across the landscape, telling male foxes they are ready to breed. Listen to a vixen call.
If you are lucky enough to stumble across a countryside fox family or have foxes denning in your garden, you may hear the cubs. They make a playful ‘Ack-ack-ack-ack’ noise as they wrestle with each other. Listen to fox cubs.
Foxes live above ground, or in a den or earth below ground.
Credit: FLPA / Alamy Stock Photo
Foxes Eat Bird Seed?
FAQ
Can foxes eat birdseed?
Foxes will be attracted to bird feeders and may even eat spilled sunflower seeds if hungry enough.
What animals eat bird seed at night?
And sometimes the only way to tell if we’ve had visitors is if the feeders are empty. Some of these animals that you might have seen during the day or at night include raccoons, mice, rats, rabbits, skunks, foxes, or even deer, though most still prefer to feed at night.
Do foxes go after bird feeders?
Bird feeders with lots of seed underneath are attractive to small mammals such as mice and voles. And mice and voles are attractive to foxes. My guess is that the fox was looking for an easy breakfast.
What rodents eat bird seed?
Birds like mourning doves, juncos, and grosbeaks are big fans of these feeders. Unfortunately, so are mice, rats, squirrels, and chipmunks.
Do foxes eat chickens?
Pigeons: Urban areas provide easy opportunities for foxes to scavenge or hunt pigeons. Chickens: Domestic chickens can also become an easy meal if not properly secured. Fox diets can vary seasonally, influencing bird consumption rates. During spring and summer, foxes focus on nesting birds.
Do foxes eat bird feeders?
If foxes are hungry enough, they’ll eat fallen seeds from bird feeders, but foxes are mostly attracted to bird feeders if mice and rats are present in the area.
Do foxes eat bird seed?
If you don’t have a protected feeder, be sure to clean up any fallen bird seed that foxes are willing to eat in extreme circumstances. If you can’t seem to keep these rascally animals out of your yard, consider hiring a professional pest control specialist using our nationwide pest control finder.
What do foxes eat?
In the wild, foxes consume the food that prevails in the region where they live, which commonly includes the following: Beetles, cut worms, crane flies (larvae and adults), grasshoppers. Rabbits, small rodents, birds, frogs, reptiles, fish, crustaceans, snails, eggs. Grains, sunflower seeds, acorns, barley. Grass, sedges, plant roots.
Can foxes eat dog food?
Yes foxes can eat dog food. The primary diet of foxes is meat protein – so they love cooked or raw meat (including dog food). Chad Fox is an author and researcher dedicated to bringing reliable information about foxes to the public. He supports animal sanctuary awareness. Foxes eat a variety of small mammals and vegetation.
Can foxes eat raw meat?
Raw and cooked meat can be food for a fox. Foxes are surplus killers and will kill more than they need, and save it for later, in food caches, hidden away in their den. Fox food for pet foxes, can vary depending on who the owner is. Many pet fox owners feed their pet foxes a mixture of raw meat, vegetables, fruit, and some grain-free kibble.