Want to help garden birds? Don’t feed them in warmer months, says RSPB
Want to Help Garden Birds? Avoid Feeding Them During Warmer Months, Advises RSPB
The UK’s largest bird conservation organization, the RSPB, has issued a recommendation that garden bird feeders should be put aside during the warmer months to safeguard species from disease. While feeding birds may seem like a kind act, it could inadvertently contribute to outbreaks of trichomonosis, a parasitic illness that has led to sharp declines in populations of greenfinches and chaffinches.
Trichomonosis and Its Impact
Trichomonosis, which targets the mouth, throat, and upper digestive system of birds, can impair their ability to eat, drink, or breathe. The parasite spreads through contaminated saliva and droppings, infecting food sources and potentially passing to chicks via regurgitation. The RSPB highlights that this disease has pushed greenfinches to the red list of endangered species, with their numbers dropping by two million since the 1970s.
Feeding Practices and Hygiene
The RSPB’s latest findings from the Big Garden Birdwatch reveal that greenfinches have fallen from the seventh most commonly recorded species in 1979 to the eighteenth in 2025. With over 16 million households regularly providing food, the charity advocates for a seasonal approach to feeding, emphasizing “feed seasonally, feed safely.” This includes limiting offerings of mealworms, fat balls, and suet to small quantities—enough for a couple of days—and ensuring thorough weekly cleaning of feeders.
Industry Response and Public Concern
UK Pet Food, a trade body, has criticized the shift in guidance, calling it a “significant change to long-established advice.” However, the RSPB argues that simplicity in messaging is key to encouraging behavior change, even if it takes time. The charity also suggests moving feeders between cleanings to reduce contamination buildup and using fresh tap water for bird baths, which should be refreshed daily.
“It’s really nice to see them from the window—they look very chipper out there,” says Helen Rowe, a London resident who frequently feeds sparrows. Despite enjoying the visits, she plans to suspend feeding during the warmer months to support the birds’ health.
Some experts, like Dick Woods of a bird feeder manufacturing company, question the uniformity of the advice, noting that natural food availability varies greatly across regions. “Every garden is different. In some places, food is so abundant that birds don’t rely on feeders much; in others, there’s little alternative,” he explains. The RSPB acknowledges these differences but believes a clear directive is more effective than complex guidelines.
The charity has stopped selling flat feeders, citing their role in disease transmission, and now promotes alternative designs. While the shift may unsettle long-time bird feeders, the RSPB remains committed to minimizing risks through straightforward, actionable advice.
