How to supplement a bird's natural diet

Nature’s larder is full of good stuff for our garden birds to eat, including insects, berries and seeds. Sometimes though – particularly at different times of the year – food is running pretty low and our feathered friends need a helping hand to help them thrive and survive.

Filling our feeders and sprinkling food on the ground is a great way to support wild birds when they are facing dwindling natural resources. The most important thing is that you keep all feeding equipment scrupulously clean and change water daily to ensure everything remains as fresh as possible and the dangers of spreading disease are kept to a minimum.

Nutritionally valuable food

Peanuts and sunflower hearts are two of the most valuable foods you can offer garden birds as they are rich in important nutrients.

Sunflower Hearts

These are the sunflower seed with the husk removed. They contain high levels of oil and calories to help birds maintain bodyweight.

They provide plenty of protein for breeding and feather growth.

No shells, means that they are really easy for small birds to tuck into.

The lack of shells also means that there is no mess left beneath the feeders.

Birds that love sunflower hearts include: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Nuthatch and House Sparrow.

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Peanuts

Rich in fat – often as much as 50% - and with protein, vitamins and minerals, peanuts are an excellent high-energy food, and perfect for the breeding season and when it is cold. They should always be given in a bespoke peanut feeder with its wire mesh tube to prevent choking. This is critical during breeding season when adult birds take them back to the nest for very young chicks.

Peanuts are especially favoured by Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Jay, Blue Tit and Nuthatch.

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Peanuts and Sunflower Hearts are particularly beneficial at different times of the year.

Winter: Help birds survive long cold dark nights.

Spring: Provide plenty of protein and fat to support breeding adults.

Summer: They are a great supply of reliable nutrition when insects are less abundant due to poor weather.

Autumn: Help birds build up fat reserves in preparation for winter.