Want to help garden birds? Don’t feed them in warmer months, says RSPB
Want to help garden birds? Don’t feed them in warmer months, says RSPB
New Guidance from RSPB
The UK’s leading bird conservation charity, the RSPB, has issued updated advice urging gardeners to pause feeding birds from 1 May to 31 October. While providing food is often seen as a gesture of care, the charity warns that this practice can inadvertently create conditions ripe for disease outbreaks. The warmer months, in particular, are highlighted as a critical period when feeders become breeding grounds for trichomonosis, a parasitic illness affecting birds.
Trichomonosis and Its Impact
Trichomonosis, which targets the oral and digestive systems of birds, has led to sharp declines in populations of greenfinches and chaffinches. Once common in UK gardens, greenfinches are now listed as endangered, with their numbers dropping by two million since the 1970s. The parasite spreads through saliva and droppings, contaminating food sources, and can transmit directly to young birds via regurgitated meals. The RSPB’s latest Big Garden Birdwatch data shows greenfinches fell from seventh to eighteenth in the rankings between 1979 and 2025.
Feeding Practices and Recommendations
The RSPB advocates for “feed seasonally, feed safely,” emphasizing the need for hygiene over feeding frequency. It suggests offering small portions of mealworms, fat balls, or suet only occasionally, and cleaning feeders weekly. To reduce contamination, the charity recommends relocating feeders after each cleaning and using fresh tap water daily. Bird baths should also be scrubbed regularly, as flat surfaces are linked to higher disease transmission risks. This shift has led the RSPB to discontinue flat feeders, effectively signaling the end of traditional bird tables.
Consumer Reactions and Industry Response
“I want to support the birds—I don’t want to do anything that’s going to spread disease,” said Helen Rowe, a London resident who feeds sparrows. She expressed concern about the impact of feeding during warmer months, despite enjoying the close encounters with birds.
While some, like Helen Rowe, are embracing the change, others argue that uniform advice may not suit all regions. Dick Woods, a manufacturer of easy-to-clean feeders, noted that natural food availability varies widely. “In some places, food is so abundant that birds don’t rely on feeders much; in others, they have little choice,” he stated. The pet food industry, however, disputes the shift, calling it a “significant change to long-established advice” and warning of potential confusion among millions of feeders.
Despite challenges, the RSPB insists simplicity is key to encouraging behavioral shifts. “We understand that change won’t happen overnight, but clear guidance helps people act consistently,” said Martin Fowlie, the charity’s representative. With over 16 million households regularly providing bird food and spending £380 million annually, the RSPB aims to balance conservation with practical habits.
