Living with Birds What to feed your garden birds Tweetapedia

Feeding wild birds can be an enjoyable hobby, as well as help to support local wildlife. However, deciding what foods to put out for visiting birds can seem like an overwhelming choice. The answer to this question depends on a few factors, including which species are local to your area and which season you are in.

Common UK garden birds

Many different bird species visit UK gardens every day. These include:

• Sparrows
• Wood Pigeons
• Robins
• Starlings
• Blackbirds
• Tits
• Magpies

Most birds will spend a large part of their day looking for food. This is particularly the case in winter, when some small birds will search all day to give themselves the energy that they need to stay warm.

What do birds eat?

Birds have a varied diet, which largely consists of seeds, fruit, and insects. However, it is vital that you do some research into the bird species in your local area. This will help you understand what food is right for them. Putting out the wrong food may cause birds to ignore your garden, or in some cases, cause them harm.

Common types of bird food include:

• Seeds - Sunflower and niger seeds are popular, providing high levels of fat and protein. Consider using sunflower hearts without husks for a clean and convenient option. Another option is a bird seed mix. These combine ingredients to produce a nutritious meal for birds, and are a simpler way of helping them achieve a balanced diet.
• Peanuts - Make sure that these are unsalted. Furthermore, whole peanuts are a choking risk for small birds and fledglings, so use a feeder with a small mesh or provide peanut granules instead.
• Fruit - Fruits such as apples, pears, and sultanas provide an energy boost for birds. They particularly require extra energy during breeding season and winter. Be aware that some fruits are harmful to pets.
• Insects - Mealworms are a great way of providing protein and are a favourite with many birds including robins and blackbirds. They are also a great way of supporting nestlings, giving them the nutrients they need for growth.
• Suet - Containing more calories per kilo than insects or seeds, suet is an amazing way of ensuring that birds get enough to eat.

Which feeder should I use?

Birds feed in various ways, such as searching for food on the ground, in trees, catching prey in the air, or filtering water. Again, determining which birds you want to feed is the first step. Robins, for example, prefer tray or ground feeders, whilst finches prefer hanging feeders.

Some common feeder types are:

• Tube feeders - A common feeder style, these are great to help smaller birds while reducing the chances of squirrels or large birds dominating the food.
• Ground or platform feeders - Also a common style, they attract the widest variety of birds due to the food being easily accessible.
• Suet feeders - Specifically designed to give access to suet, the usually caged design stops larger birds and other wildlife from being able to steal the food.

Furthermore, there are a number of feeder accessories that may be beneficial:

• Seed trays can catch food debris, helping to keep your garden clean and prevent pests from visiting. They may also help to prevent squirrels, particularly with pole feeders, as it will stop them from being able to climb up the pole.
• Squirrel baffles or guardians are extremely useful, and in some cases necessary, to protect your bird feeders. Squirrels are notorious for stealing seed from gardens all over the country, causing a costly issue for both you and the birds.

Provide fresh water

Giving birds access to fresh water for drinking and bathing is vital. In the summer, their usual water sources may dry up, whilst in the winter they may freeze over. Keeping birds clean and hydrated will help them stay healthy all year round. A water bowl on the ground may also help hedgehogs and other garden wildlife.

Make sure that you clean bird baths regularly to avoid disease, and keep them out the way of predators such as cats.

Maintaining your garden bird feeders

Regular maintenance of your seed feeders is vital to prevent the spread of disease and keep bird populations healthy. For cleaning, simply immerse them in warm water and softly scrub with a toothbrush. You could also try a specially-designed bird feeder cleaner.

Conclusion

Different species of birds require different things when it comes to feeding, so ensure that you do some research into what would best benefit your garden visitors. Keeping a tidy environment can help to prevent squirrels from attacking your feeders. Feeding birds helps support the local environment and bird population in the UK.