Why You Should Remove Your Bird Feeders This Summer
For many garden enthusiasts, putting out seed and nut feeders is a gesture of kindness. However, recent guidance from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) suggests that this habit could be inadvertently harming the very animals you’re trying to help. To protect the long-term health of the UK’s songbird populations, the RSPB advises a “feed seasonally, feed safely” approach, urging bird lovers to take down certain feeders during the warmer months.
- Remove seed and nut feeders between May 1 and October 31.
- Avoid food that causes birds to cluster, as this accelerates the spread of parasitic disease.
- Switch to protein-rich alternatives like mealworms, suet, or fat balls.
- The primary target of this guidance is to protect endangered species like the greenfinch.
The Hidden Danger: Trichomonosis
The primary driver behind this recommendation is a parasitic disease known as trichomonosis. This parasite attacks the mouth, throat, and upper digestive tracts of birds, making it difficult for them to breathe, eat, or drink.
The disease spreads rapidly when birds cluster together around high-traffic food sources. Infected birds shed the parasite through their saliva and droppings, contaminating the feeders. The parasite can be passed directly from parents to their chicks during regurgitation. Because the disease spreads more easily in warmer weather, the summer months represent a high-risk period for avian health.
Species at Risk
Several British bird species have seen devastating declines due to the spread of this disease. The greenfinch is particularly affected; it is now on the red list of endangered British birds. Data from the Big Garden Birdwatch shows a 67% decline in average greenfinch numbers since the survey began in 1979. Together with chaffinches, an estimated 6 million birds have died from the disease in recent years.
Starlings are also facing significant challenges. The starling population has seen an alarming 85.1% reduction since 1979, with numbers hitting record lows for two consecutive years.
How to Feed Safely This Summer
The RSPB isn’t asking you to stop feeding birds entirely, but rather to change what and how you feed them from May 1 to October 31. By adjusting your habits, you can provide necessary nutrition without creating disease hotspots.
What to Remove
- Seed feeders: These attract large clusters of finches, increasing transmission risks.
- Peanut feeders: Similar to seeds, these can lead to overcrowding at the feeder.
What to Provide Instead
Replace seeds and nuts with small amounts of protein. Protein is essential for birds to feed their chicks during the breeding season and typically does not attract the same dense clusters of finches.
- Mealworms
- Fat balls
- Suet
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use seed feeders in the winter?
Yes. The RSPB states that bird lovers can continue to use seeds and feeders during the winter, as trichomonosis is less easily spread during the colder months.
Why is protein important in the summer?
Protein is particularly useful for birds as they feed their growing chicks.
Is this related to Avian Flu?
While trichomonosis is the primary driver for the summer feeder guidance, the UK has also dealt with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which has devastated wild bird populations since Summer 2021, according to the RSPB.
Looking Ahead
Changing long-standing gardening habits can be difficult, but the goal is to protect the long-term survival of the UK’s songbirds. By switching to seasonal feeding, garden owners can help stabilize the populations of the greenfinch and starling, ensuring these charismatic birds remain a part of the British landscape for years to approach.
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