FAQ: Supplies for birds
Short answers to the most common questions. Search, or browse the full list below.
All questions
How long do pet birds live?
Well-kept budgies and canaries often live about 8–12 years, cockatiels 15–20, and large parrots can live for several decades. This matters when planning long-term spending on food, a cage and vet care.
When should I start feeding wild birds in winter?
Wild bird feeding usually starts in late autumn, when it gets cold and natural food becomes scarce, and ends in spring when food is plentiful again. Once you start, do not stop suddenly during frosts, because birds come to rely on the feeder.
What kind of feeder suits wild birds?
Popular options are roofed table feeders, hanging tube feeders for seeds and mesh holders for fat balls or peanuts. The food should stay dry, the feeder should be easy to clean and birds need somewhere safe to land.
What should wild birds be fed in winter?
Suitable foods include whole or hulled sunflower seeds, wild bird seed mixes, unsalted nuts and suet or fat balls for tits. Hulled sunflower seeds leave less mess under the feeder.
Can wild birds be fed bread?
Bread has almost no nutritional value for birds, moulds quickly and can cause digestive problems, especially in waterfowl. Seeds, special wild bird food or, for ducks, crushed grain and peas are better choices.
Is salted bacon fat suitable for tits?
Salted or smoked fat is not suitable for birds, because salt harms them. Choose unsalted fat or fat balls made for birds, and hang them only in the cold season so the fat does not go rancid.
Why should fat balls be hung without a plastic net?
Birds' feet or beaks can get caught in plastic netting, and once torn it often ends up as litter in nature. Placing fat balls in a refillable metal holder is safer.
Where should a bird feeder hang so cats cannot reach the birds?
Hang the feeder at least 1.5–2 m high and away from bushes where cats can lurk, but not completely in the open: trees nearby let birds take cover quickly. Near windows, place feeders either very close to the glass or well away from it.
How often should a wild bird feeder be cleaned?
Clean the feeder at least every few weeks, and immediately if you spot damp or mouldy food. Bird diseases spread faster at dirty feeders, so it is also worth clearing husks and droppings from underneath.
Do wild birds need water in winter and summer?
Yes, birds need to drink and bathe all year, and water is hard to find in frosts and droughts. A shallow drinker or bath with clean water changed daily helps a lot; in winter never add anything to the water to stop it freezing.
Can wild birds be fed in summer?
In summer there is usually enough food in nature, so feeding is not necessary, and diseases spread faster at feeders in warm, damp weather. If you do feed, give small amounts, choose seeds rather than fat, and clean the feeder more often.
Which nest boxes should be put up for birds and when?
Nest boxes are best put up in autumn or late winter so birds can inspect them before breeding. The entrance diameter decides who moves in: smaller holes suit tits and larger ones starlings, so choose the box for the species you want.
How and when should a nest box be cleaned?
Clean nest boxes in autumn after the young have fledged, removing the old nest and rinsing with hot water without chemicals. Do not open the box during the breeding season so as not to scare the birds away.
How can I keep squirrels and pigeons off a bird feeder?
Tube feeders with a metal cage guard let small birds feed but keep out larger birds and squirrels. A baffle on the pole or wire and food without wheat and maize, which pigeons especially like, also help.
What can ducks and swans be fed instead of bread?
Waterfowl do well on crushed grain, rolled oats, thawed peas, maize or special waterfowl food. Feed in moderation so leftovers do not foul the water or attract rats.
Can wild birds be given nuts?
Yes, unsalted and unroasted peanuts or hazelnuts are valuable food for tits, woodpeckers and other birds. Put them in a metal mesh feeder so that chicks in spring do not choke on large pieces.
Why are no birds coming to my feeder?
It can take birds days or weeks to discover a new feeder. A spot near trees or shrubs where birds feel safe, fresh food and no disturbance help, especially if cats roam nearby.
Can wild birds be fed on a balcony?
Yes, but choose food that leaves little mess, such as hulled sunflower seeds, and clean the balcony regularly. Consider your neighbours and building rules, since feeding on a balcony sometimes attracts pigeons.
What should I do if I find a chick that has fallen from its nest?
Feathered fledglings usually leave the nest naturally and their parents keep feeding them nearby, so it is best to leave the chick alone or move it into a safer bush. If the bird is injured or clearly abandoned, contact a wildlife rescue service or a vet.
Do I need special wild bird food or are sunflower seeds enough?
Sunflower seeds suit many wintering birds, but a mix of different seeds, nuts and fat attracts more species. Small birds such as siskins or finches prefer smaller seeds, while woodpeckers and tits like fat.