From pretty, cheerful robins to bright blue tits, it’s always a pleasure to watch the birds visiting our garden feeders. But with plenty of natural food available in summer, should you still be feeding them? Or can feeding birds during the warmer months do more harm than good?
There’s no question that feeding birds is beneficial at certain times of year.
“Birds benefit most from feeders during winter, when food sources are less plentiful,” says Olivia Sanderfoot, PhD, research scientist and project leader, FeederWatch at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “Keep in mind that bird feeding is always supplemental. Birds are perfectly capable of finding their own food, so feeding birds is often for our own enjoyment, not their survival. Exceptions are during harsh weather, such as cold snaps.”
But when it’s warm, things change. First, there’s an abundance of insects on the menu for many species. “In summer, garden birds primarily eat and feed insects like caterpillars to provide essential protein and nourishment for their quickly growing chicks,” says Kaitlyn Parkins, glass collisions program coordinator at American Bird Conservancy.
But it also depends on the type of bird. “Some birds eat mostly seeds or grain,” says Sanderfoot. “While other birds incorporate berries and fruit in their diet, some will eat a much wider range of foods.”
Here’s what experts say about feeding garden birds over summer.
Is it safe to feed birds in summer?
With some caveats, the good news for all of us bird lovers is that it’s okay to feed your birds in the summer. For seed-eaters, sunflower seed mixes and nyjer seed tend to be the most recommended bird food during all seasons.
Garden birds also enjoy other food, including fruit, peanuts and mealworms. Blackbirds may peck at chopped fruit, while robins and blue tits will often carry mealworms back to the nest to feed chicks.
That said, there are summer feeding mistakes you should avoid to protect bird health.
Think twice before putting out suet in hot weather
“Suet can be put out but only in cooler temperatures and shaded areas,” says Parkins. “If it’s too hot, the suet will melt, not only causing spoilage that can harbour harmful pathogens but also become a greasy mess that can get on birds’ feathers, affecting their flight and waterproofing.”
If you do want to offer this food, buy heat-resistant suet blocks, which have a denser, dough-like base that’s less likely to melt and stick to feathers.
Why cleaning bird feeders matters even more in summer
If you are feeding your birds, you’ll need to clean feeders regularly – no matter what time of year it is. However, heat, humidity, rain and direct sunlight exposure definitely can cause seeds to spoil quickly. Spoiled seeds can harbour harmful moulds, bacteria and toxins that can make birds ill.
Feeders can also spread disease. “When birds congregate at feeders, they can spread pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria, from one individual to another, either through direct contact or indirectly, like from droppings,” says Sanderfoot.
In some cases, feeders have been linked to bird declines, such as the outbreak of trichomoniasis that badly affected the European greenfinch population in the UK.
“This is why some conservation organisations in the UK recently announced that they are now recommending that people take down their feeders during summer, when trichomoniasis is more likely to spread,” says Sanderfoot.
There’s no one-size-fits-all recommendation for cleaning because not all bird diseases are transmitted in the same way. The most important thing to do is to clean your feeders regularly – every week or two or even more frequently, if needed.
Other ways to keep birds healthy in summer
Besides offering a variety of foods to attract the most species and cleaning feeders regularly, here’s what else you can do to support birds in the summer:
Put out bird baths
This is especially helpful during dry spells in the summer. Change the water as frequently as possible. Adding a small dripper will make your bird bath especially attractive to birds, says Sanderfoot.
Place feeders and bird baths in a shaded spot
Just like people, birds appreciate a little shade on a hot day. Shade also prevents algae and other harmful growths from forming quite as quickly, says Parkins.
Fallen Fruits Robins on Leaf Bird Bath
John Lewis Ceramic bird bath
Place feeders and baths away from or above where predators might pounce
Also, keep your cat indoors. SongBird Survival estimates that cats kill at least 27 million birds in the UK each year.
Protect birds from flying into windows
Birds often struggle to spot glass, especially when windows reflect trees and sky. Sadly, many birds die after flying into windows. To help prevent this, you can add DIY or ready-made window stickers to make the glass more visible, says Sanderfoot.
Smart Buys for Bird Lovers
Dots Allowed Blackbird British Bird Greeting Card
Blackbird Appliqué and Embroidery Kit
Barn Style Oak Bird Table with Slate Roof
Embroidered Garden Bird Lantern
Lily Faith Robin Mug
Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
