Feed Seasonally. Feed Safely.
To reduce disease, we all need to make some urgent but simple changes to how we feed our garden birds.
We all want to help birds and make our gardens or outdoor spaces a place where all wildlife can thrive. But some species, such as Greenfinches, are experiencing serious declines because of disease.
The good news is that we can help reduce the spread of disease by making two simple changes to the way we feed our birds.
How to help your garden birds
What’s the problem?
Research has shown a worrying decline in some of our much-loved garden birds due to a disease called trichomonosis. This is a highly contagious disease and can spread where birds gather in large numbers such as at bird feeders.
Greenfinches, for example, have dropped by over 65% in the last three decades – and you may have seen this decline yourself. Back when the Big Garden Birdwatch started in 1979 Greenfinches were at number seven in the top ten birds seen. This year they were down to number 18.
We’ve been working with experts to find a solution, and we believe that, together, we can make a difference by feeding birds seasonally and safely.
How you can help
We can help stop the spread of disease among garden birds by making two simple shifts to how we feed birds. Put simply: Feed seasonally. Feed safely.
1. Feed seasonally
During summer and autumn, there’s a higher risk of disease spreading. But it’s also when there are more natural foods available to birds, such as seeds and insects.
1 May to 31 October
- Pause filling your bird feeders with seeds or peanuts.
- You can continue to offer small amounts of mealworms, fatballs or suet.
1 November to 30 April
- You can feed your birds a full range of bird foods, including seeds and peanuts.
2. Feed safely
Busy bird feeders can become hotspots for disease. To help keep birds healthy, it’s vital to keep things clean – which is why we’ve strengthened our existing hygiene guidance. We recommend you:
- Clean your bird feeders and water baths at least once a week. Good hygiene is essential. Be sure to also clean away any old food or droppings from beneath feeders.
- Place your bird feeders in a different spot every week. This will help to prevent any build-up of potentially contaminated debris underneath. If you have more than one feeder, put them in different areas to reduce the number of birds in one place and the mixing of different species.
- Avoid putting feeders under places where birds roost, such as under trees. This will help to avoid contamination through droppings.
- Don’t use bird feeders with flat surfaces, such as bird tables, window feeders and feeders with trays. Research has confirmed that there’s a higher risk of disease spreading on flat surfaces, where contaminated food can collect.
- Feed in moderation. Make sure all the food you put out is eaten within one to two days. Adjust the amount you offer based on demand to avoid overfeeding.
- Keep food as dry as possible. Damp food allows disease to survive and spread. Choose feeders that prevent rain getting in and limit condensation.
- Change water in bird baths daily. Only offer water if you’re able to change it every day and make sure it’s tap water. A pond is the best way to provide birds and other wildlife with water.
- Help birds find their own food. One of the best ways to support garden birds in the long-term is to help them find their own food. So fill your outdoor space with bird-friendly plants – such as sunflowers, teasels and ivy. These help provide natural food sources for birds.
Thank you for protecting garden birds
Stopping the spread of disease is a challenge we can’t tackle alone. By taking these simple steps to feed seasonally and safely, we can all help protect the future of our birds.
Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter, Notes on Nature, to be reminded when to switch your bird food throughout the seasons.
What’s next?
We need more research to find ways to reduce the risk of disease spreading at bird feeders. Some studies are already under way, but we don’t yet know if or when they’ll lead to effective solutions. It’s also important to remember that this advice may evolve as new evidence comes in. But the science shows we need to take action. We believe changing how we feed birds now will help protect them in the longer term. It will take time to see the benefits, so patience is important.