In recent times there has been growing conversation about whether feeding birds increases the risk of disease. This is a particular concern for finches, such as greenfinches and chaffinches.
Some organisations, including the RSPB, now recommend pausing certain types of feeding over summer and autumn to help reduce the spread of a disease known as Avian Trichomonosis.
Avian Trichomonosis is a parasitic infection which affects the throat and gullet of birds, in turn, making it more difficult for them to feed.
We are aware how important feeding birds is as part of a routine for many gardeners, and we also know our customers want to do the right thing. The latest evidence suggests not that we should stop feeding birds but change our behaviour around how we feed them.
Hygiene and water management is of the utmost importance now more than ever in combatting the diseases our feathered friends face.
What Recent Research is Telling Us
Recent studies and monitoring by bird and wildlife organisations have focused on where disease-causing organisms are most likely to be found in a garden environment. Although different groups interpret the data in different ways, there are a few clear-cut consistent themes:
- Water sources carry the highest risk of disease
Research has shown that shallow water sources, such as bird baths and some ponds, can have relatively high detection rates for pathogens. This is due the water naturally collecting droppings, soil, and organic matter. In turn these elements coming together create an ideal set of conditions for disease related organisms to survive and spread.
- Dry feeder and food show very low risk
Where data has been collected from the surfaces of feeders and dry commercial bird food indicates low to negligible detection rates of pathogens. This is improved with a well maintained and regularly cleaned area and ensuring the food is kept dry.
- Flat or dirty surfaces are of heightened concern
Higher risk is associated with areas where moisture and waste build up, such as bird trays, bird tables, and heavily soiled ground beneath feeders. Flat or damp surfaces can allow infected saliva or regurgitated food to be picked up by other birds.
Taken together, this points towards wet, contaminated environments and crowding, rather than the simple act of feeding, as the main risk factor.
Seasonal Feeding Versus Year-Round Feeding
Some organisations, including the RSPB, now advise pausing the use of seed and peanut feeders between May and October, while continuing to offer small amounts of suet, fat products and mealworms. The aim is to reduce the crowding at feeders during the higher-risk post-breeding period when Trichomonosis spreads more easily.
Other expert bodies and industry groups, such as UK Pet Food, continue to support year-round feeding, with a strong emphasis on:
- good hygiene
- keeping food dry
- managing water sources carefully
- reducing crowding by spreading out feeding locations
This approach clearly reflects the fact that many birds benefit from reliable food sources throughout the year, especially during cold snaps, late frosts, dry spells, or poor natural seed years.
The evidence presented so far shows us where pathogens can be found, but it does not clearly demonstrate that:
- feeding itself directly causes disease outbreaks at a population level, or
- stopping feeding in summer and autumn reliably reduces disease across whole bird populations.
Because the datasets are still context-specific and relatively small, many experts favour a proportionate, hygiene-led approach rather than a blanket pause.
A Practical, Balanced Approach for Your Garden
Based on current knowledge and best practices, a sensible way forward for most gardeners is to:
- Continue feeding, but feed thoughtfully
Offer a variety of foods suits to the season. High energy and high protein foods in winter and spring, and a slightly lighter offering in the summer and early autumn, when natural food is more abundant.
- Prioritise hygiene
- Clean feeders and bird baths at least once a week. Use hot soapy water, a suitable disinfectant, then rinse and dry thoroughly before refilling.
- Clear away old food and droppings from beneath feeders regularly.
- Avoid heavily soiled base trays and bird tables or clean them frequently.
- Keep food dry and fresh
- Use weather-guarded feeders where possible.
- Only put out as much food as birds will eat in a day or two. You’ll need to judge this for yourself, but you should start with less rather than more.
- Discard any food that has become damp, mouldy, or clumped up.
- Reduce crowding
- Spread feeders throughout the garden rather than concentrating them in one solitary spot. You can hang them on spare hanging basket arms for example.
- If you have several feeding stations thin out the amount of hanging feeders and spread the stations throughout the garden.
- Manage water or remove it
- Refresh bird bath water daily, only use tap water and this is essential in warm weather.
- Give baths and shallow water dishes a good scrub at least once a week.
- If you have a wildlife pond with gently sloping edges, this can provide a more natural, lower-maintenance drinking and bathing area.
- If you cannot keep up the maintenance of water, please remove it from the garden for the summer and autumn periods.
- Stay observant
- If you notice birds that appear fluffed up, lethargic, or with wet, matted feathers around the beak, consider temporarily reducing feeding and water provision in that immediate area and increase cleaning frequency.
- Report suspected disease incidents to relevant wildlife health monitoring schemes where possible.
These steps closely mirror the UK Pet Food Feeding Garden Birds Best Practice Guidelines, which focus on hygiene, sensible feeding levels and good environmental management rather than stopping feeding altogether.
Our Year-Round Bird Care Advice
Our overall view at Hillier is that feeding garden birds can remain a positive, year-round activity, provided it is done with care and caution:
- Feeding birds helps them through periods of natural food shortages, which don’t always fall neatly into a single season, or given period.
- It supports breeding, especially in spring, when energy demands are often at their highest.
- It brings wildlife closer, helping to connect people of all ages with nature and notice changes in local bird populations.
The latest research and guidance on the topic of feeding wild birds underline the most important thing you can do is feed responsibly:
“Clean regularly, keep things dry, avoid crowding, and manage water or remove it.”
By following these simple principles, you can continue to feed garden birds and enjoy the many wonders they share. You’ll be able to continue supporting birds all-year-round whilst playing your part to reduce disease risk and support a healthy, thriving bird population in your garden.
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