While feeding birds can be beneficial, using the wrong foods may actually weaken them over time. Instead, specialists recommend switching to using a simple kitchen item that is better for their health and wellbeing. Here’s the small change that will help benefit robins in your garden.
Robins are a common sight in UK gardens, especially in colder months, because as the seasons shift and urban areas grow, robins increasingly depend on domestic gardens for food, water, and shelter.
Why you shouldn’t feed birds breadcrumbs
According to Country Life, Val Osborne, the RSPB’s head of wildlife inquiries, revealed: “Bread doesn’t actually contain any of the vital ingredients to provide birds with the energy they need to breed and feed.”
However, bread can still help fill them up. If you are still keen on feeding robins your leftover bread, it is important to only give it to them in small quantities.
Wild bird food experts at Ivel Valley Bird Food said to also soak the stale bread in water to soften it, then rip it into small, digestible chunks. And of course, the fresher the bread, the better.
“When it comes to bread, the same rules apply to birds as they do to humans – the healthier the better. Whole wheat, seeded breads offer more nutritional benefits than white bread and are often lower in chemical additives and salt,” the food expert reported.
What to give robins instead of bread
According to Mezzo Market, the RSPCA recommends using a simple shallow bowl or dish of water as a way to help robins and other wild birds during the colder seasonal months.
They stated: “Especially during dry spells or frosty mornings, access to clean water can be life-saving. Birds don’t just drink it—they need it to clean their feathers, regulate body temperature, and fly properly.”
To do this, use a dish no deeper than a couple of inches, then set it on level ground, preferably near shrubs or other cover. Put a stone or two inside to give birds an easy place to perch. Then ensure you refresh the water daily, especially in very cold or hot weather.
If you want to feed birds, the experts recommend soaked dried fruit or mealworms. You can also provide unsalted and unroasted peanuts and sunflower hearts.
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