Should we just stop feeding altogether and only provide natural resources? Is this safer?

Our evidence review found that supplementary feeding does provide benefits to many birds, especially during cold weather when natural food can be in short supply. The period March-April is a period of particular natural food shortage for seed-eating birds sometimes known as the ‘hungry gap’ and feeding during this period is also likely to be important.

Mealworms can boost breeding success and winter foods can improve survival rates. The evidence suggests that supplementary feeding increases bird numbers overall. We also recognise the benefits of feeding birds in gardens to human wellbeing and connection to nature.

Therefore, our updated guidance recognises that providing supplementary food is still beneficial, as long as we all follow the best practice guidance by feeding the right types of food at the right time of year.

I don't get finches in my garden, can I continue to feed as I have done previously?

The evidence is clear that supplementary feeding of seed and peanuts is increasing the spread of trichomonosis amongst birds, and we currently have no effective mitigation to reduce that risk. If we continue to feed birds in the way we do now it is likely that trichomonosis will continue to spread amongst our garden birds and cause further declines in their populations.

We recommend that everyone who feeds birds follows our guidance, irrespective of the species they are seeing in their gardens.

How can I feed ground-feeding birds?

Our updated guidance advises that it is safe to scatter mealworms on the ground, which many ground-feeding birds, such as Blackbirds, Robins and Wrens, love. We would recommend putting out only a small amount that can be eaten within one day, or cleared away by dusk. This will help to prevent there being any left for Hedgehogs, which Hedgehog rehabilitators have raised as a concern. We would not advise scattering other food types on the ground as the food will likely get wet and have a higher risk of harbouring diseases.  

We recommend that seeds and peanuts are provided in hanging feeders only. This is because there’s a higher risk of disease spreading on flat feeders like bird tables and trays. Feeding directly on the ground increases the chances of seeds getting wet or damp which carries a higher risk of disease transmission.

If I clean my bird table daily, can I still use it?

We removed tables and flat-surface feeders from sale following the RSPB's evidence review, which indicated that these products pose the greatest risk of disease transmission. The evidence indicates that some birds, particularly finches, can be more exposed to disease when fed on flat surfaces.

Birds that are sick with trichomonosis often perch on flat surfaces where they attempt to feed. The disease makes swallowing food difficult, so they often regurgitate contaminated food back onto the flat surface where it is then available for healthy birds to pick up. Even daily feeder cleaning will not prevent the consumption by healthy birds of previously regurgitated food. For this reason we advise that no flat-surface feeders are used to feed birds.