To properly nourish wild birds, offer high-energy foods tailored to the season, such as sunflower hearts for finches, mealworms for robins, and suet for winter calories. Maintain a clean feeding area to prevent disease and offer foods that mimic their natural diet to ensure optimal health.
Global bird welfare organizations are raising awareness about safe feeding, clean water access, rescue support, and habitat protection to help birds survive changing environmental conditions.
In 2026 Big Garden Birdwatch showed continuing declines in some bird species such as greenfinches due to disease spread and habitat challenges, increasing awareness about responsible bird care and conservation.
By feeding seasonally and safely, we hope we can help to reduce the spread of trichomonosis and support our garden birds to thrive. Watch this short video to find out how you can help:
Bird feeders
Feeders come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Nut feeders made of rigid steel mesh are the only safe method of offering nuts to wild birds. Seed feeders are designed for sunflower seeds and seed mixes labelled feeder seed. Keep food as dry as possible. Choose feeders that prevent rain getting in and limit condensation. Make sure all feeders drain easily and do not allow build-up of old food. For more information and guidance on finding the right feeder for your needs, see our Bird.
Where to put bird feeders
You can put your bird feeder in all sorts of places, but aim for somewhere:
Quiet: where birds won’t be disturbed.
Safe: not too close to bushes where predators could hide in wait, but close enough to cover so that birds can easily dart away. Birds like to have a view all around them while feeding.
Sheltered from harsh winds.
It’s best to regularly move feeders around to avoid a build up of dropped food. Try to pick multiple spots you can rotate between.
Wherever you place your feeder, make sure you can see it when you’re indoors so you can get the most pleasure from it!
Bear in mind, it can take a little bit of time for the birds to get used to a new feeder, so don’t be disappointed if not many birds visit at first.
What do birds eat?
Many birds will happily eat a variety of foods, but here are some of our top tips for feeding the birds:
Blackbirds will eat a broad range of foods, from fruit, suet pellets to mealworms.
Blue Tits and Great Tits use hanging feeders, eating seeds as well as suet and peanuts.
Finches, including Chaffinches and Greenfinches, also use a feeder, and they love sunflower hearts.
If you’re keen to attract Goldfinches or Siskins, try Nyjer seeds as they both seem to love them. Nyjer seed is also popular with Greenfinches and Redpolls.
House Sparrows, Dunnocks and Collared Doves will be attracted by small seeds.
Suet balls and other fat-based food bars are excellent high energy giving foods for winter and popular with a wide range of birds.
Mealworms are especially popular with Robins and Blue Tits and may attract other insect-eating birds such as Pied Wagtails.
Be sure to look for good quality bird food – those that don’t include ‘fillers’ such as dried peas and beans, red dari and wholewheat that birds rarely eat.
You can also put out leftover dried fruit, or fruit such as apples and pears, but don’t use anything mouldy or salty. Soak dried fruit in water first and make sure to only put out a small amount that gets eaten quickly. If you have a dog or a cat don’t put out dried fruit – vine fruits, such as raisins, can be toxic to them.
Bird Feeding Awareness 2026
Wildlife experts are encouraging safer and cleaner feeding practices to protect birds from disease and environmental stress.
Summer Water Campaign Expands
Communities worldwide are placing water bowls for thirsty birds during rising summer temperatures.
Rescue Support Growing
Bird rescue organizations are receiving increased public support to help injured and abandoned birds recover safely.
Protecting Bird Habitats
Conservation groups continue promoting tree planting and habitat protection to support bird populations naturally.
Conservation groups emphasized that fresh water bowls and natural habitats are among the best ways to support birds during summer heatwaves.
Nourish Bird.org -Feed Hope. Save Wings.
Nourish Bird.org is a compassion-driven initiative dedicated to feeding, rescuing, protecting, and caring for birds in need. We believe every bird deserves food, water, safety, and a chance to live freely.
Our mission is to create awareness and inspire communities to protect birds and nature through kindness and collective action.
Helping birds survive with food, clean water, rescue support, and safe habitats.
Every small act of kindness can save a life.
Donate • Rescue • Protect • Care
Every Contribution Helps:
Feed hungry birds
Provide water bowls
Rescue injured birds
Support medical treatment
Protect natural habitats
