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What to Feed Birds in Winter (and What Not To): Safe, Nutritious Choices for UK Gardens
Quick answer: what do UK birds need in winter?
UK garden birds need high-energy foods in winter to keep warm and survive long, cold nights. Fat, protein, and calories are crucial—especially during harsh weather.
Best foods for winter: fat balls, seeds, suet, mealworms
- Fat balls & suet blocks: Packed with energy, perfect for cold snaps.
- Mixed seeds & sunflower hearts: Attract a wide range of species.
- Peanuts (unsalted, in mesh feeders): Loved by tits, woodpeckers, and nuthatches.
- Mealworms (dried or live): Ideal for robins, blackbirds, and wrens.
Find our full range of wild bird food and bird feeders for easy, mess-free feeding.
Foods to avoid (bread, salty/fatty foods, milk)
- Bread: Fills birds up but lacks nutrients—can cause health problems.
- Salty/fatty foods: Salt is toxic to birds; avoid bacon rind, crisps, or salted nuts.
- Milk: Birds can’t digest milk—never offer dairy.
How often to feed and top up
- Top up feeders daily in winter—especially in the morning and before dusk.
- Consistent feeding helps birds rely on your garden as a safe food source.
Where to place feeders for winter survival
- Place feeders near shelter (hedges, shrubs, trees) but out of reach of cats.
- Use a mix of hanging, table, and ground feeders to suit different species.
Hygiene: keeping feeders clean in winter
- Clean feeders weekly with hot water and a brush—more often in wet weather.
- Remove old, mouldy food promptly to prevent disease.
- Rinse bird baths and top up with fresh water regularly.
FAQs
What is the best food for birds in winter?
Fat balls, suet, mixed seeds, peanuts, and mealworms.
Fat balls, suet, mixed seeds, peanuts, and mealworms.
Are fat balls safe for all birds?
Yes, as long as they’re free from plastic mesh.
Yes, as long as they’re free from plastic mesh.
Can I feed bread to birds in winter?
It’s best avoided—offers little nutrition.
It’s best avoided—offers little nutrition.
How often should I feed garden birds?
Daily, especially during cold spells.
Daily, especially during cold spells.
What foods are bad for birds?
Bread, salty foods, milk, and processed scraps.
Bread, salty foods, milk, and processed scraps.
Should I feed birds every day in winter?
Yes—regular feeding helps birds survive.
Yes—regular feeding helps birds survive.
Where should I put bird feeders in winter?
Near shelter, out of reach of predators, and visible from a window.
Near shelter, out of reach of predators, and visible from a window.
Do birds need water in winter?
Absolutely—offer fresh water daily and prevent it freezing if possible.
Absolutely—offer fresh water daily and prevent it freezing if possible.
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