Robins need to start building up their fat reserves and moulting their feathers in autumn, and they need a healthy diet to help them do this
Katherine McPhillips and Shania King-Soyza
15:29, 08 Sep 2025
Taking the time to feed robins will help keep your local birds healthy (Image: Getty)
Robins can struggle to find food as their sources start to disappear in autumn, but gardeners can easily help these birds during the colder months. When September comes, robins must begin building up fat reserves to get through winter whilst also moulting their old feathers – a process requiring additional energy and nutrients.
As berries and insects become harder to find after summer, robins that are unable to gain sufficient weight face a greater risk from harsh winter conditions and reduced survival chances. However, , as reports the Express, wildlife specialists at Beaky Bites have shared that it’s straightforward to provide garden food for robins, as they absolutely adore peanuts.
One specialist explained: “Peanuts and sunflower hearts are healthy options Robins love. These foods provide the proteins and fats they need. Sunflower hearts are particularly nutritious and are a Robin favourite during breeding season.”
Robins are unlikely survive in winter if they are underweight as they need to build up their reserves to keep warm (Image: Getty)
“You can offer peanuts and sunflower hearts by scattering them on the ground or in platform feeders. These foods are not only healthy but also very attractive to robins, so add them to your feeders to increase interaction from robins.”
Peanuts, along with sunflower hearts or seeds, contain high fat content and offer an excellent calorie source when robins require increased nutrition.
These will supply robins with the energy and protein necessary for developing fresh feathers, helping them stay warm and shielded from frost when colder temperatures arrive. However, it’s important to remember that robins must not consume salted or roasted peanuts, as they’re unable to process salt, which can cause dehydration, kidney failure or even death.
Birds should only ever be given natural and unprocessed food because of their sensitive digestive systems, so ensure you only offer robins raw peanuts.
Robins love crushed up peanuts, as well as sunflower hearts, mealworms and suet pellets (Image: Getty)
After obtaining your bird-safe peanuts, you’ll also need to chop them up or crush them into tiny pieces. Robins have delicate beaks and struggle to crack open nuts, whilst whole peanuts can also pose a choking risk for smaller birds.
Next, simply sprinkle the peanut fragments on a low surface in your garden such as a tray or table, and robins will return repeatedly so you’ll spot plenty of these gorgeous birds this autumn.
The expert explained: “Robins prefer ground feeding, which means they will feed from trays placed on the ground or directly off the ground itself amongst the grass. This is how they naturally feed and makes them feel more comfortable and safe.”
Robins are also fond of dried mealworms if you wish to purchase them food, as these insects are rich in nutrients and proteins they naturally consume in the wild.
You can also offer robins suet pellets or balls, which are created from animal fat and ideal for helping robins build up their fat reserves and maintain their energy to survive the approaching cold weather.
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