Want to help garden birds? Don’t feed them in warmer months, says RSPB
The UK’s leading bird conservation charity, the RSPB, has urged gardeners to pause feeding birds from mid-May to the end of October. While this practice appears benevolent, it may inadvertently harm certain species by creating disease-prone environments. The organization highlights that during these months, feeders can become breeding grounds for infections, particularly trichomonosis, which has led to sharp declines in populations of greenfinches and chaffinches.
Trichomonosis is a parasitic infection that affects birds’ mouths, throats, and digestive tracts, impairing their ability to eat, drink, or breathe. Infected birds spread the parasite through saliva and droppings, tainting food sources. Chicks can also contract the disease by consuming regurgitated food from adults. Recent findings from the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch reveal that greenfinches, once common, now rank 18th in 2025 compared to 7th in 1979. Their numbers have dropped by two million since then, earning them a place on the red list of endangered birds.
Approximately 16 million households in the UK regularly provide bird food, with an estimated one feeder for every nine birds. The pet food sector reports an annual £380 million spent on bird food, equivalent to 150,000 tonnes. This volume could sustain three times the breeding populations of the most common garden birds if used year-round. The RSPB advocates for “feed seasonally, feed safely” as a strategy to reduce disease transmission.
To minimize risks, the charity recommends cleaning feeders weekly and relocating them after each wash to prevent debris buildup. Water should be replaced daily, using only fresh tap water, while bird baths require regular cleaning. Flat feeders, which were previously sold by the RSPB, are now discouraged due to their role in amplifying contamination. The charity has effectively said goodbye to traditional bird tables, emphasizing the importance of hygiene over convenience.
“It’s really nice to see them from the window – they look very chipper out there,” says Helen Rowe, a London resident who regularly feeds birds. Though she enjoys the close encounters with sparrows, she plans to stop using feeders during warmer months to avoid spreading illness.
Some argue the advice should account for regional differences in natural food availability. Dick Woods, a manufacturer of easy-to-clean feeders, notes that gardens vary greatly: “In some places, food is so abundant that birds don’t rely on feeders; in others, there’s little alternative.” The RSPB acknowledges these variations but insists a clear message is easier to adopt. “Behavior change takes time,” says Martin Fowlie of the RSPB. “We’ve simplified our guidance to encourage consistent action.”
The pet food industry has criticized the shift, calling it a “significant change to long-established advice.” They warn the new recommendations might confuse millions of regular feeders, who now face the challenge of adapting their routines to protect birds while balancing their own habits.
