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Birds eat milkweed seeds? #887585

Asked October 09, 2024, 4:18 PM EDT

Will birds eat milkweed seeds? Or are the seeds poisonous?

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

The seeds do include the chemicals that help milkweed resist herbivory, but birds likely only ingest a modest number. Several bird species, however, will be highly attracted to milkweed to eat the insects drawn to the pollen, nectar, or to the predatory insects that eat the other insects. Also, several bird species are known to select milkweed "fluff," often still attached to the seeds, for their nesting materials.
Dr. Dana Sanchez Replied October 10, 2024, 6:02 PM EDT

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