Seeds, grains and nuts: Top tips for feeding birds

Ornithologists say open bird feeders should ideally be cleaned every day. Bird feeders should also not stay wet, as this can only lead pathogens to spread. — dpa

Feeding birds is more than just scattering some breadcrumbs on the windowsill.

A clean feeding table or station is essential, says Germany’s Ministry of the Environment and Nature Conservation. The food also shouldn’t get wet, as this can cause diseases to spread.

Suitable food includes sunflower seeds, hemp, millet, oats, bran, seed cakes and balls, coconut shells filled with beef fat or suet. Many birds also like fruit, raisins and wild berries.

Stale bread, on the other hand, is not a good idea as the bird will get bloated. Leftovers are also taboo and the spices can even kill the birds.

Spread over several feeding stations, even weaker birds have a chance of getting hold of a couple of seeds or grains.

Here’s how you can make an inexpensive feed that most birds like: Beef suet is cut into small pieces and heated through. After the fat has melted, roughly the same amount of wheat bran is mixed in. A dash of neutral oil ensures the whole thing doesn’t crack or break.

The mixture can be poured into a flower pot, in which a stick has been placed beforehand and a piece pulled through the bottom hole. When the food has cooled, you can hang the pot upside-down on the end of the stick. The birds can perch on the longer end of the stick while eating.

The German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union also recommends using silo bird feeders, which prevent the food from getting contaminated by bird droppings. If you opt for an open bird table, it’s essential to clean it daily.

It’s best to place the food dispenser in a clear, easily visible place so that cats cannot sneak up on it unnoticed. Glass panes near the feeding area are also a source of danger for birds, as they can easily become a deadly trap if trees are reflected in the glass. Putting up stickers can help. – dpa