Feeding birds with kitchen scraps may be done with good intentions, however it could actually harm our feathered friends.
That’s the message from bird food brand Bucktons, ahead of winter, during which bird levels in the UK could dip even lower. By spending a little time taking care of our feathered friends, you could reverse this trend, making sure future generations can enjoy the pleasure of feeding garden birds.
Birds have tiny bodies and extremely fast metabolisms, so they need a lot of energy just to survive. As the nights last longer, the search for their next high energy meal during colder months becomes more challenging. Mass farming has destroyed their natural habitats, so they’re now happier to flock near towns and cities relying on us to supplement their natural diet.
Bread is the most commonly fed scrap and contains very little protein or fat – nutrients which are essential for a wild birds diet. Instead food items such as bread just act as a filler, providing very little nourishment and could even contain dangerous levels of salt causing poisoning.
Rachael Dickinson, Senior Brand Manager for Bucktons, part of Westland Horticulture said: “Bird food, such as Bucktons Premium Wild Bird seed mix, are calorie-rich and provide a much needed energy resource when the weather gets cold.”
Much needed protein can be provided through foods such as Bucktons Robin and Songbird mix, which mimic a bird’s natural diet, ideal as a treat for birds such as Blue Tits, Chaffinches and Robins and ground feeding birds such as Dunnocks. It will also appeal to Blue Tits and Chaffinches when fed in feeders.
During cold months, birds should be fed twice a day: In the morning to replenish energy lost overnight and in the evening to build up energy before they roost.
