Tree sparrows, Passer montanus, perched on bird table in garden. Co. Durham.

Feeding birds

What food can you leave out for birds and how can you keep your feeding station hygienic and pest-free?

Here you'll find the answers to all your bird feeding questions.

Bird feeding guide

bird feeders

What do birds eat

This page shows you what to feed your garden birds - and what to avoid.
Goldfinch perched on a branch

When to feed garden birds

Although winter feeding benefits birds most, food shortages can occur at any time of the year.

What birds could I see?

Blue tit Parus caeruleus, juvenile, perched on garden trellis with flowering honeysuckle. Co. Durham.

Find out which popular birds are most likely to be visitors to your garden, and what they prefer to eat.

Most popular garden birds

How to feed birds

Great tit Parus major, feeding on RSPB hanging bird table in snow

All about bird tables

A bird table will be at its most popular and valuable when natural food is in short supply, between October and April.
A blue tit perched on an RSPB ultimate suet feeder

Ways to feed birds

There are all kinds of ways to feed birds, from bird tables and hanging feeders to devices you can make yourself.
Great tit Parus major, feeding on suet coated sunflower hearts, from ground feeding table

Keep your bird table healthy

When a large number of birds are attracted into an area to feed, the danger of disease increases.

Great spotted woodpecker Dendrocopus major, male bird feeding on mini bird cake feeder hanging from branch

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about feeding birds.