Summer is just around the corner, and birds chirping in unison is a joyful reminder that new chicks are on the way. With this in mind, some may be inclined to lend a hand and offer the birds some extra food.
While often thought unnecessary, feeding birds in the summer can actually benefit them and provide a fun observation experience, especially if you’re a birdwatcher. Birds need high-energy food to raise their young and maintain their own energy levels, especially during the busy breeding season. While insects and other natural foods are abundant in summer, birds can still benefit from supplemental food, CJ Wildlife explains. This can also provide opportunities to observe birds and their young, and to see a variety of species in their breeding plumage.
Nevertheless, if you want to feed birds this summer, some food are best kept away, as they could do more harm than good. According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), one food in particular could be particularly.
“Be careful with peanuts, fat and bread during spring and summer,” the RSPB warns. “If you want to feed peanuts only do so in rigid mesh feeders that will not allow sizable pieces to be removed, since these could be a choking hazard to chicks.”
It further shares: “Home-made fat balls can melt in warm summer weather, and should be avoided.”
If you want to avoid provoking choking incidents, CJ Wildlife has shared a list of alternative foods you can safely give to birds. These can be bought in common grocery stores or petshops.
Sunflower seeds and bird seed mixes
“Sunflower seeds are a firm favourite,” CJ Wildlife notes. Whole black sunflower seeds are a great basic food source, while sunflower hearts (sunflower seeds with the husk removed) have a higher energy content and will help to attract a wider range of bird species.
Additionally, seed mixes are a staple for a variety of garden birds. Bird seed mixes typically contain a variety of seeds, grains, and sometimes fat sources like suet or peanuts to attract a wide range of bird species.
Common ingredients include sunflower seeds, sunflower hearts, peanuts, millet, and oats. Some mixes also include mealworms, niger seed, or dried fruit, as per Really Wild Bird Food.
Mealworms for birds
Dried mealworms help supplement natural food supplies for wild birds, especially in prolonged hot weather, CJ Wildlife states. You can find dried mealworms online.
A 1 kilogram bag of dried mealworms retail for around £10. Garden Wildlife Direct sells a variety of portions.
Peanut butter for birds
Peanut doesn’t have to be completely off the table. In fact, a blend of peanut butter is high in calories and proteins, making it a great meal for birds.
CJ Wildlife sells jars of peanut butter made especially healthy for birds, with a lot less salt than peanut butter intended for human consumption, for just under £3.
