Gardens: here's why you should avoid feeding birds with these foods

We must avoid always feeding the birds in our gardens. The League for the Protection of Birds (LPO) explains why.

Although the birds in our gardens are non-aggressive and cute, they are not pets . On the contrary, they are wild animals. These characteristics imply that do not have the habit of always feeding them . The birds in our gardens must maintain a certain independence. It is said that you should avoid feeding them all the time. So you can sustain them, but not just any way and not all the time. The League for the Protection of Birds (LPO) explains when to feed the birds in our gardens ? How to do it ? And what type of food?

What is the ideal season to feed the birds in our gardens?

Feeding the birds in our gardens is a gesture of kindness . However, at the risk of killing them, it should not be done anyhow and not all seasons of the year . During which season can we feed the birds in our gardens and when not?

According to the advice of the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO), we should only feed the birds in our gardens during the cold seasons . That is, during the winter. In general, in France, it is between mid-November and the end of March. Why do we have to feed the birds only in winter?

We must feed the birds in our gardens in winter, because during this season, food is scarce . Relayed by the information site Actu.fr, published on January 22, 2023, birds must be fed during the cold season because:

'It's the perfect time to help the birds to feed themselves, due to less abundant food,' advises the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO).

For other seasons when food is plentiful, it is recommended not to feed to the birds of our gardens. This can corrupt their diet and independence. The official websites of the LPO, published on May 24, 2022 explain it:

'It is not advisable to feed the birds in spring and summer, as many of them become insectivorous at this time of year and this can create a relationship of dependence on the young birds of the year which must learn to feed themselves”

Moreover, even if it is advisable to feed wild birds during the winter, do not feed them with anything .

Foods you should not feed birds

It is true that the birds in our gardens tend to eat anything, but that is no reason to give them anything. Some of the foods we eat are toxic to these animals . Since they eat everything we give them, it's up to us to be careful not to give them harmful foods. Detailed by the LPO, here are the foods that should not be given to birds.

Do not give milk to the birds in your gardens

the LPO warns us on its official website . It is written :

' Warning ! Never give milk to birds: they cannot digest it and it can be responsible for fatal digestive disorders”.

no bread either

Don't give bread to the birds in our gardens, biscuits or rusks . Especially the salty ones. Here's why :

'Birds cannot digest bread, it causes swelling in the stomach,' says the LPO.

Worse still, eating bread causes 'a malformation of the wings called 'angel wings' which prevents them from flying' .

Also avoid vegetables, pasta, rice, lentils

Do not feed the birds in our gardens with:

• Salads,
• Carrots,
• boiled potatoes,
• lentils
• Peas

Avoid salty foods

The salt can cause kidney blockage to birds of our gardens and even kill them.

What should we give the birds in our gardens then?

After all these bans, you are probably wondering what to feed the birds in our gardens. In general, birds eat insects, berries, seeds and fruits . So, the idea food that you can offer them are fruits of the season and unsalted seeds. The LPO recommended to put in a bird feeder the following components :

“1/3 black sunflower seeds, 1/3 fresh peanuts or peanuts with the shell (unsalted and unroasted), 1/3 cracked corn”.

There you go, now you know when and what to give to the birds in our gardens. The only food that you must not forget and that you can give during any season is water .

Source : Actu.fr