Wild bird feeding – helping effectively, acting correctly

Feeding with Heart and Mind – Keeping Wild Birds Healthy

Feeding wild birds is very popular in Germany. Millions of people hang bird feeders or fat balls in their gardens and on balconies. But there is always debate: Does it really help the birds – or does it harm them?

The good news: when feeding is done properly, birds do benefit from it. Studies show that controlled feeding can increase the survival rate of young birds and save adult birds energy, especially in heavily used landscapes with scarce natural food [1, 2].

Why feed wild birds?

It used to be said that birds should only be fed in winter, when snow and frost make it harder to find food. More recent research findings, including those from NABU and ornithologist Peter Berthold, show however:

• Year-round feeding can help many bird species, as natural food has become scarce in intensively used landscapes [1].
• Young birds in spring benefit indirectly because parents need to spend less energy searching for food thanks to feeding [2].
• Feeding stations give people the chance to experience nature up close, which strengthens interest in conservation [3].

Which birds benefit most?

Above all, resident birds – species that stay here all year round – regularly use feeding stations:

• Tits (great tit, blue tit, coal tit)
• Sparrows (house sparrow, tree sparrow)
• Blackbirds
• Robins
• Chaffinches and greenfinches

Migratory birds benefit less, as they are usually not in the garden during their main season. Observations show that tit populations in particular remain more stable in gardens through continuous feeding [2].

What is suitable bird food?

Not every kind of food is suitable. It should be species-appropriate, natural, and free from mold and salt.

Proven foods:

• Sunflower seeds (hulled or unhulled) – most important source of energy
• Peanuts (unsalted, unseasoned) – popular with tits and woodpeckers
• Oats – especially for soft-billed birds such as robins or blackbirds
• Millet on the stalk – readily eaten by small seed-eating birds
• Apple pieces, raisins – for thrushes, blackbirds, and starlings
• Fat balls and feeder rings – best without a net (risk of entanglement!). How to make fat food and fat balls without a net yourself, is explained in our guide.

Stay away from:

• Bread or leftovers from meals (cause digestive problems)
• Salty, seasoned, or fatty food

Scientific studies confirm that a balanced mix of seeds, nuts and fruit reduces the risk of deficiencies and increases winter survival rates [4].

Hygiene is crucial

One of the most important rules is: keep feeding stations clean! Diseases such as salmonella, trichomoniasis, or avian pox can spread quickly when feeding is unhygienic [5].

Tips for clean feeding stations:

• Remove old food and droppings daily
• Clean feeders regularly with hot water
• Use feed silos instead of open dishes whenever possible

Feeding in summer – yes or no?

In the past, summer feeding was taboo because people feared young birds might eat grains and choke on them. New observations show: parent birds feed their chicks almost exclusively insects. The seeds from the bird feeder are meant for the adult birds themselves. So there is no reason against summer feeding today – as long as a varied diet is offered [6].

More than food: creating habitats

Food is valuable, but it does not replace a natural habitat. In the long term, the following measures help birds:

• Plant native shrubs and trees (berries, seeds, insects)
• Allow wild corners with leaves or deadwood
• Hang up nest boxes
• Avoid pesticides

Such measures support biodiversity, increase birds' chances of survival, and promote a stable ecosystem [1, 2].

Conclusion

Feeding wild birds is not a substitute for conservation, but it is a valuable addition. Anyone who follows the basic rules – the right food, hygiene, safe feeding stations – makes a real contribution to protecting our native birdlife.

Controlled feeding can:

• increase the survival rate
• indirectly support young birds
• keep birds healthier and more vigorous
• bring people and nature closer together

Sources / References

1. Berthold, P. (2020). Feeding Birds – Useful or Harmful? NABU.
2. Glutz von Blotzheim, U. N., & Bauer, K. M. (2019). Handbook of the Birds of Central Europe.
3. BirdLife International (2021). Feeding Wild Birds Responsibly.
4. Møller, A. P., & Nielsen, J. T. (2019). Effects of supplemental feeding on survival of birds in winter. Journal of Avian Biology.
5. Hofmann, H., & Schmidt, V. (2018). Bird Diseases in Wild Birds.
6. Lack, D. (2020). The Life of Birds. Oxford University Press.