Guide to Feeding Wild Birds

It can be overwhelming to know where to start when it comes to feeding wild birds. There are hundreds of online resources that give conflicting advice. So we’ve put together our decades of bird-feeding experience to deliver a comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide on feeding garden birds, including when to feed them, what to feed them, and what they can’t eat.

There are many different types of bird food available on the market, from seed mixes to suet cakes, and every kind of food has additional benefits. The best way to figure out what to feed your feathered friends is to do a little research on the types of birds that live in your area or keep an eye out and note down the kinds of birds you see flitting through your garden. Once you know which birds you’re likely to encounter, you can do some research into the types of food they like the best.

We have an extensive resource on the common types of garden birds which you can find in the UK and what you should feed them.

Go to: Feeding Advice for British Garden Birds

Below, we’ll provide generic advice for garden bird feeding for those who want to attract a variety of birds to their garden and want to know where to start.

What should you feed wild birds?

a bird on a homemade bird feeder for feeding wild birds

Wild birds are interested in a wide variety of foods, from insects to seeds. Here is a list of what you can feed them:

  • Seeds, peanuts, and grains – it’s vital to ensure these are bird-friendly and bought from a trusted supplier. We sell a range of approved wild bird seed mixes. Birds can eat sunflower seeds and hearts, niger (or nyjer/nyger) seed and more. They also enjoy peanuts, but you must make sure you only feed them tested, aflatoxin-free varieties that the manufacturer has labelled explicitly as being bird-friendly.
  • Live food – many birds’ natural diets primarily consist of worms, ants, flying insects, and other creepy-crawlies. Supplementing this with live food such as mealworms is excellent.
  • Suet – suet comes in blocks or balls, and we offer it in netted or un-netted forms. This is fantastic for winter feeding and you can flavour it with berries and bugs.
  • Fruits – birds enjoy soft fruits like berries, as well as apples, pears, and raisins.

Other bird-friendly foods include cheese, raw, unsalted bacon rind, and cooked (cold) pasta or boiled potatoes.

What NOT to feed wild birds

birds on a bird feeder for feeding wild birds

As with any animal, there are certain foods you should never put out for birds. These foods can make birds unwell or cause them to choke[i].

  • Milk – you shouldn’t give milk to any wild animal, so whether you are leaving a dish out for a local hedgehog or cat, think again. If a bird drinks milk, it can be fatal as birds aren’t able to digest it.
  • Salty foods – Salt should never be a part of a bird’s diet; it can make them unwell. Don’t give them salty food like peanuts, crisps, and salted bacon.
  • Choking hazards – food that is too hard, or is left out in larger pieces, can cause birds to choke. Some birds will have the sense to peck at large food, but others are unable to do so and might try to eat pieces of food whole that is much too big for them. Use feeders for whole peanuts to stop smaller birds from getting at them (or just put out peanut splits instead). Also, avoid leaving dried bread out, as this can get stuck in their throats.
  • Bread – you might see people offering bread to garden birds, ducks, and pigeons, but it isn’t wise. Although unharmful, bread is very filling without providing much nutrition. A bird might gorge itself on bread and become unwell due to a lack of nutrients. It can also become mouldy very easily, which could make a bird sick if they come across it and eat it.
  • Fruit seed and pits – although birds enjoy most fruits and they are safe for them to eat, you mustn’t give them seeded or pitted fruits. You can give them apples, peaches, etc., if you remove any seeds or pits.

Other ‘human’ processed foods like chocolate, crisps, and sweets are also a no-go. If you drop food in your garden that you know is unsafe for birds, make sure to clean it up thoroughly.

Where to feed them

If you want to start feeding wild birds, you’ll need a suitable place to feed them! Setting up a couple of feeding areas for your local wild birds is one way to make sure they get the nutrients they need and can remain safe whilst they are feeding. You might think scattering a handful of seeds on the ground is enough, but many birds will feel too vulnerable eating in the open and aren’t equipped for pecking seeds off the ground.

Set up a few feeding stations to reduce competition and crowding, as this could put birds off coming to your garden. Feeders should be located close to cover so that they can quickly dart from predators[ii] – but stay away from larger shrubs and trees that cats could hide behind.

Feeders

There are lots of types of feeders to choose from. You can pick pre-filled or empty feeders to hang up in your garden or choose one with a stand. If you have squirrel issues, you can choose squirrel-proof options, too. Pick a basic feeder to begin with, and upgrade based on your needs. For example, if you find that bigger bully birds like pigeons scare away smaller songbirds, get a feeder with a cage around it.

Bird Tables

Bird tables look lovely and are ideal for feeding a wide variety of birds. Choose one that suits your style and place generous amounts of feed directly onto it or on trays.

Ground feeders

If you do want to attract birds like dunnocks and thrushes, which are comfortable eating on the ground, use a tray to avoid seeds getting scattered or ending up in your flower beds.

Take a look at our range of bird feeders.

Should you feed birds all year round?

The simple answer is yes! Of course, birds need our help more in winter when natural food sources like insects, berries, and natural seeds are scarce and weather conditions are harsh. But you can easily supplement the diets of your feathered friends by feeding wild birds all year round to give them the best chance to survive and thrive.

Autumn and Winter

In the winter, they will need more energy to keep warm, so it’s important to provide them with high-calorie foods. Choose insect and berry fillet suet, protein and fat dense sunflower seeds, peanuts, niger seeds, and fruits. You should also offer live or dried meals and calci worms. Offer water, too, but make sure this doesn’t freeze over – placing a ball in a dish of water will usually be enough to stop frost from taking hold.

Spring and Summer

In the summer, feeding wild birds can help chicks survive and grow, but you will also have to make sure you provide plenty of water that is changed out regularly to prevent the spread of sickness and disease. You shouldn’t offer suet in warmer weather as it can turn rancid – the same applies to other fatty foods[iii]. Instead, feed plenty of fruit to help them stay hydrated and a nutrient-dense mix of seeds.

How often should you feed wild birds?

The answer is as often as you need to. Your garden might be popular over some periods and less frequented by birds at other times, so you need to make a call based on how often your feeders are depleted.

During busier times, make sure you put feed out at the same time each day so that birds learn when to come for food. Check untouched food for signs of mould and consider replacing it to be safe and be vigilant in cleaning your feeders and water dishes, too.

Do you have any secret tips on feeding wild birds from your own garden? Let us know!

Sources

  [i] https://www.pfma.org.uk/what-not-to-feed

[ii] https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/where-to-put-your-bird-feeder/

[iii] https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/feeding-birds-in-summer/