The short answer is yes - birds can and will consume almonds. They provide lots of nutrients, including protein and fat. These can help birds stay energized and strong.
However, there are a number of factors to consider before providing almonds:
1. Firstly, many birds do not have strong enough beaks to crack open the outer shells. So, providing chopped or crushed almonds will help to ensure that they can easily eat them. This will also help to prevent birds from choking, as they swallow food whole rather than chewing it. A specialized nut bird feeder also prevents birds from eating full nuts, and may be useful.
2. Although almonds are nutritious, they should only be given sparingly. This is due to their high fat content, which can contribute to obesity in birds. So, almonds should be provided as part of a wider, balanced diet.
3. Make sure that the almonds you provide are raw and unsalted - ones specially designed to be fed to birds are ideal.
4. Avoid bitter almonds, as these are considered toxic when raw.
Overall, almonds make a great snack for birds when combined with other foods to create a balanced diet.