Want to feed birds? These are the rules you should follow
4.12.2023
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Our native birds usually find enough food in nature. Unless there’s permafrost or a snow cover. You should keep this in mind when feeding tits and other birds.
It’s totally white outside. There’s not a piece of lawn to be seen, only snow. And it’s cold. In our garden, only crows can be seen still stalking through the snow. Somewhere in our garage are two leftover suet cakes from last year. I dig them out and hang them up on a tree so that there’s at least some food to be found in the winter landscape.
But I’d like to do more – so, I decide to browse through our range at Galaxus. Yeesh, there are close to 900 hits for birdhouses alone. And over 250 for bird feeders.
Here are a few tips on what to look out for if you’re like me and your willingness to help leads you to do some online shopping.
1. Feeding site
If birds were receptive to aesthetics, they’d certainly get their money’s worth. The selection of bird feeders – houses and hangers alike – is huge. However, it’s quite obviously based on the buyers’ tastes, and not on the needs of the actual users. That is, the birds.
If you’re into the rustic look, you might like the «St. Moritz» model. This mini mountain chalet promises a wholesome experience. If blackbirds and finches had any clue about mankind, they’d probably be hoping not only for food, but also a crackling fireplace.
Even fans of the Bauhaus style will find a fitting shelter for their flying garden guests. In a house like this, the only things missing are champagne flutes and shrimp cocktails, with the subtle sound of a jazz band in the background.
Regardless of the design, there are a few things to consider when choosing a birdhouse.
How to choose the right spot for the feeding station
A feeder should be placed where the birds can easily observe the surroundings and detect any predators (read: domestic cats) early. It’s a good idea to have trees and hedges nearby so the birds can take refuge there if needed.
A piece of lawn, for example, is a suitable place to put up a birdhouse on a stand, as is a flower bed or border.
The wall of a garden shed is another good location for a birdhouse complete with bird food. If you have trees in your garden, you can hang birdhouses from the branches or attach them to the trunk.
How to keep the food clean and dry
Ideally, the feeder has a design that’ll prevent the food from getting wet even in rain or snow. What you should look out for is a roof that protrudes far enough. If moisture gets in the food, it’ll mould, which is dangerous for birds. Having expectations for the appearance of the birdhouse is fair enough, but don’t underestimate the function side of things. For example, you’ll have to replenish the food, and you should clean the poop off the birdhouse regularly. If you want to spare yourself that, feeders are a good alternative. They’re made so that the birds’ droppings fall to the ground.
How to feed birds on your balcony
Not everyone has or wants a garden, but may still want to help out their local bird population. A balcony can also be turned into a feeding spot. There are birdhouses with special holders for balcony railing. Alternatively, you can simply place a bowl of grains on your windowsill.
2. Choosing the correct food
You can stock your feathered faction’s snack bar however you like. But different foods will attract various species. In addition, the optimal time to fill up the feeder is in the evening. Why? Because birds have the greatest need for energy in the morning after a cold night – they’ll be happy to discover a breakfast buffet.
The Swiss Ornithological Institute recommends not putting out suet cakes or other high-fat foods. According to a study from England (link in German), feeding on these in the winter may reduce breeding success in the spring, especially in tits. I wasn’t aware of that; I’ll be switching out my bird food.
For the birds that eat grain – such as finches, sparrows, tits, nuthatches and woodpeckers – there are often ready-made mixtures. Experts recommend those consisting largely of sunflower and hemp seeds. Unfortunately, many premade mixtures contain cereal grains as the main ingredient. These are eaten only by pigeons and sparrows.
If you want to see blackbirds, robins or starlings at your feeder, on the other hand, oatmeal or chopped tree nuts and hazelnuts are the way to go. Add in raisins or other fruit to attract softbills and insectivores. In fact, you can get food mixes that already include dried insects or pieces of fruit – you can think of those as the gourmet version.
Different types of feeders – from a simple feeder on a branch to a multifunctional tower – will attract different species of birds to your garden. The German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) has created a good, nicely animated overview here (link in German).
Header image: Ingo Rittscher
Martin Jungfer
Head of Content
Martin.Jungfer@digitecgalaxus.chJournalist since 1997. Stopovers in Franconia (or the Franken region), Lake Constance, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich. Father since 2014. Expert in editorial organisation and motivation. Focus on sustainability, home office tools, beautiful things for the home, creative toys and sports equipment.
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