Wildlife experts warn that a common garden habit could be putting robins at risk.
This food lacks key nutrients and can be harmful (Image: Getty)
Wildlife specialists are issuing warnings that a widespread garden practice could be endangering robins, especially throughout the winter season. Advice from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) reveals that breadcrumbs fail to deliver the nourishment robins require to maintain their health.
Whilst bird feeding can prove advantageous, employing unsuitable foods might genuinely compromise their strength gradually. Instead, experts suggest transitioning to a straightforward household staple that’s far superior for their health and welfare. Here’s the minor adjustment that will genuinely benefit robins in your outdoor space.
Robins are a familiar presence in British gardens, particularly during chillier periods, as the changing seasons and expanding urban environments mean robins are relying more heavily on residential gardens for sustenance, hydration, and refuge.
Why you shouldn’t feed birds breadcrumbs
According to Country Life, Val Osborne, the RSPB’s head of wildlife inquiries, explained: “Bread doesn’t actually contain any of the vital ingredients to provide birds with the energy they need to breed and feed.”
Robins are a familiar sight in UK gardens(Image: Getty)
Nevertheless, bread can still satisfy their appetite. Should you remain determined to offer robins your surplus bread, it’s crucial to provide it only in modest amounts.
Wild bird food specialists at Ivel Valley Bird Food advised additionally saturating the stale bread in water to soften it, then tearing it into small, manageable pieces. And naturally, the fresher the bread, the more beneficial.
“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 advises using a straightforward shallow container or saucer of water as a method to assist robins and other wild birds throughout the chillier seasonal periods.
UK households warned not to give Robins breadcrumbs(Image: Getty)
They explained: “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 achieve this, select a vessel no deeper than a few inches, then position it on flat ground, ideally close to bushes or similar shelter. Place a pebble or two within to provide birds with a convenient perching spot.
Subsequently, make certain you replace the water each day, particularly during extremely cold or warm conditions.
If you wish to feed birds, the specialists suggest rehydrated dried fruit or mealworms. You could also offer unsalted and unroasted peanuts alongside sunflower hearts.
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