Feed Birds Properly
There’s been a lot of discussion about bird feeding recently. You can still feed garden birds safely - if you do it properly. What matters is how you do it. Clean food. Fresh feeding. Good hygiene. At Haith’s, we help you feed with confidence - supporting bird health while reducing avoidable risks. Based on decades of experience and veterinary insight.
Learn How to Feed Properly →
Food you can trust - for birds that rely on you
-
Wild Bird Food - Feed Birds Well, All Year Round
You feed birds because you care. This collection is designed to help...
-
Cage & Aviary Bird Seed Since 1937
Premium SuperClean™ Nutrition for Healthy, Happy Birds At Haith’s®, our SuperClean™ cage...
-
Shop Fish Feeds & Ingredients
Haith's has been delivering the finest fishing ingredients for over 40 years....
Let customers speak for us
Excellent, the canaries love it as an extra to their seed a couple of times a week. Its very clean (dust free), speedy delivery and excellent quality as always from Haiths
My cockatiel loves this nix
My pheasant, now called, Charlie, has shown a great appreciation for your food! We now have a food chain, squirrels, pigeons etc all enjoying it!!
I have been using Haith’s seed for approximately 50 years I find it more expensive than many others but it is always excellent quality and clean and in my opinion well worth the extra cost , my only concern is as I’m getting older the bags get heavier .i am indeed a very satisfied customer who would not consider buying else where .
My budgies and canaries love this, I feed in the spring to condition them for getting through the breeding and molt
Great free sample product. Will now buy for definite. Birds love it
Ideal for feeding small winter birds from the yard feeder.
The sprays were clean and well formed. My canaries love them.
A really clean shiny seed mix. My birds love it. I am happy knowing they receive health giving nourishment from it. I'm pleased to support a company like Haiths that is dedicated to quality.
Even though I can't site it the required distance from wooden post that squirrels climb up, it has still worked well. They may get a few seeds from the tray but they quickly have to put their full weight onto the feeder which then immediately drops down to cut off their access. They have now given up.The small birds were quick to start using it and I now get many more visiting my bird table as they are no longer in competition with the squirrels.
My cockatiel loves it. He has three pots of seed , one bog standard ( which he eats first thing followed by seed with orange oil but the star of the show is the tonic with aniseed which is in a moveable pot and he requires it to be on top of his cage. If it isn't there by 2pm he starts complaining in a very loud voice and as soon as new seed put in he swoops on it. He is now 27 and doing well.
My Budgies love this mix, believe it or not they get excited when I clean and change their 'seed dish'.
Happy Budgies.
My finches love it . Nice for them to have a different seed mix . Foreign finch and foreign finch tonic are the other two favourites.
Lovely as usual
This tonic seed always looks so clean and smells so fresh. my birds love it.
Ask about feeding birds
Search trusted guidance on feeding birds properly, safely and responsibly.
Looking for something specific? Search by feeder, hygiene, ground feeding or food type.
Should we stop feeding birds?
No. Feeding birds isn’t the problem — how we feed them is what matters. When done properly, with clean food, good hygiene and responsible feeding habits, feeding can support bird health while reducing avoidable risks.
Read more in Feed Birds Properly →Is feeding birds safe?
Yes — when it is done properly. Most risks linked to bird feeding come down to hygiene and build-up, not feeding itself. Fresh food, regular cleaning and avoiding waste can make a significant difference.
See responsible feeding guidance →Why does feeding birds still matter?
Birds rely on our gardens more than ever. Habitat loss, farming change and climate pressures mean natural food sources are not always enough. Gardens now act as stepping stones, helping birds find food, shelter and stability.
Learn why gardens matter →What birds benefit most from supplementary feeding?
Many garden birds can benefit from extra food, especially in colder months. One clear example is the Great Spotted Woodpecker, now a familiar garden visitor in many places, supported in part by reliable, high-energy foods such as peanuts, sunflower hearts and quality bird seed mixes.
Explore bird feeding guidance →The RSPB has stopped selling bird tables and window feeders. Have Haith’s?
Yes. At Haith’s, bird health and wellbeing remain our top priority. Following the precautionary approach regarding potential risks linked to bird tables and window feeders, we took the decision to remove bird tables from sale.
See our responsible feeding position →Should I stop feeding birds if I see a sick bird?
If you notice a sick bird around your feeding area, pause feeding straight away and clean feeders, bird baths and nearby surfaces thoroughly. Remove old food and empty water containers before starting again later.
See cleaning and hygiene products →Are flat feeding surfaces riskier than hanging feeders?
Flat feeding surfaces can allow damp food, droppings and waste to build up more easily if they are not managed carefully. Cleaner, fresher feeding methods can help reduce avoidable build-up.
See safer feeding guidance →What foods are best for feeding birds safely?
Clean, fresh, high-quality bird food is the best place to start. Useful options include premium wild bird food mixes, no mess mixes, sunflower hearts and seeds, peanuts in appropriate feeders, suet products, mealworms, niger seed, straight seeds and specialist softfoods.
Browse bird food →Can I feed sunflowers to birds?
Yes. Sunflower-based foods are among the most popular options for garden birds. Sunflower hearts and Black Sunflower Seeds are especially useful because they are high in energy and widely taken by many species.
See sunflower bird food →Can birds eat peanuts?
Yes. Peanuts are a popular, high-energy food for many birds when offered responsibly and in the right way. They are one of the foods associated with familiar garden visitors such as the Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Browse bird food →What are the best practices for ground-feeding birds?
Ground-feeding can be a natural and effective way to support some bird species when it is done properly. Rotate feeding spots, offer only what birds will eat in a day and keep the area clean.
Read more →What types of food should I provide for ground-feeding birds?
Ground-feeding birds enjoy high-energy bird food blends, suet pellets, mealworms and specialist softfoods. Avoid kitchen scraps, mouldy seeds and stale bread.
See bird food options →How often should I clean bird feeders and bird baths?
Regular cleaning is one of the most important parts of responsible bird feeding. Feeders should be checked often, old food removed before refilling, and bird baths kept clean with fresh water.
Explore bird hygiene and health support →Should I leave bird food out all day?
It is usually better to feed little and often rather than leaving large amounts of food sitting for long periods. This helps keep food fresher and reduces waste and build-up.
Read more →How much bird food should I put out?
A good rule is to feed little and often. Put out only what birds are likely to eat in a day, then top up with fresh food as needed. That helps reduce waste, spoilage and avoidable build-up.
See responsible feeding guidance →What does the bird eat?
Different birds favour different foods. Robins love mealworms, for example, while Goldfinches are famously keen on niger seed and may also take sunflower hearts.
Browse food by type →What’s the best wild bird food?
We are biased, of course, but we believe great bird food starts with quality, cleanliness and consistency. That is why Haith’s has invested so heavily in quality control and SuperClean seed.
Explore bird food →What can you feed birds from your kitchen?
Some kitchen foods are more suitable than others. Fruit can be welcome, but salty scraps and stale bread are best avoided. Raisins and sultanas can also be harmful to dogs.
Read feeding guidance →Can wild bird food get wet?
Yes. If food becomes too damp and is left sitting in feeders or feeding areas, it can spoil or go mouldy. That is why it is important to keep food fresh and dry.
Read more →Should I store wild bird food in a storage bin?
Yes. Bird food should be stored in a cool, dry place, preferably in an air-tight container, to help keep it fresh and protected from contamination and rodents.
See storage guidance →Can you buy wild bird food without wheat?
Yes. Wheat-free mixes can be useful for attracting smaller birds such as finches, tits and sparrows, and may attract fewer pigeons too.
Browse bird food →Can I use Black Sunflower Seeds as bird food?
Yes. Black Sunflower Seeds are a popular, high-energy bird food and can be fed on a bird table, on the ground or in a feeder.
See bird food →Should I feed birds all year round?
Birds favour different foods at different times of year, and gardens can help support them throughout the seasons. The key is not simply when you feed, but how you feed: clean food, fresh feeding and good hygiene.
See feeding guidance →Should I vary the wild bird food I feed?
Yes. Birds favour different foods at different times of the year. A varied diet can help support a wider range of species and better reflects how birds feed in nature.
Explore bird food →What feeder should I use?
A good feeder should be safe, easy to clean and suited to the type of food you are offering. Whatever feeder you choose, regular cleaning and fresh food are essential.
Read more →Where can I find more information about feeding and bird safety?
Visit our Feed Birds Properly guidance page for more help on safe feeding practices, bird hygiene and how to feed with confidence.
Open Feed Birds Properly →Open Feed Birds Properly →
A wildlife network on a national scale, powered by people. 12 million gardens. A hidden landscape for wildlife.
Across Britain, millions of people are helping birds survive - often without realising it.
You're already part of it. Keep feeding birds properly.
1. Scale and perspective
More than half of UK households feed birds. That’s around 12 to 13 million gardens across the country.
If you could bring those gardens together into one continuous space, they would form one of the largest wildlife-friendly areas in the UK, stretching across hundreds of thousands of hectares.
From above, it would look like a vast green network woven through towns, cities, and countryside.
But that’s not how it exists in reality.
It exists as millions of individual spaces, connected not by fences or borders, but by something more powerful:
People who care.
2. Gardens as stepping stones
Nature doesn’t see gardens the way we do.
To us, a garden is a boundary.
To a bird, it is part of a journey.
These spaces act as stepping stones across the country, linking habitats together and creating informal wildlife corridors through landscapes that are otherwise fragmented.
In a world where natural habitats are shrinking and food sources are less predictable, these connections matter more than ever.
They help birds move, feed, rest, and survive.
3. The key question
So the question isn’t whether we should stop feeding birds
It’s this:
What happens if these stepping stones disappear?
Where do birds go when reliable food sources are removed?
In many cases, there isn’t a simple answer, which is why decisions about feeding must consider both risks and benefits.
Global research (WWF) supports this. Wildlife populations have declined significantly over the past 50 years, largely due to habitat loss and environmental pressure.
Gardens are no longer just places where we enjoy nature; they have become part of nature itself.
4. Why feeding still matters
This is why feeding still matters
Feeding birds isn’t about replacing nature.
It’s about getting the balance right.
It’s about supporting wildlife in the spaces where people and nature now meet, while reducing avoidable risks through better feeding habits.
And when it’s done properly, it becomes part of a much bigger system:
A nationwide network of small, cared-for environments that help wildlife navigate a changing world.
One of the clearest examples of this is the Great Spotted Woodpecker. Once rarely seen in many gardens, it's now a regular visitor, supported in part by the reliable, high-energy food available at feeders - especially peanuts and sunflower hearts. Illustrating how bird feeding can support survival and reproduction.
For many people, feeding birds is also one of the few remaining ways to stay connected to nature, something that became especially clear during Covid-19.
It's a reminder that feeding, when done properly, continues to play a meaningful role for both birds and people.
5. People-powered conservation
A network powered by people
This is what makes it unique.
- It’s not centrally managed.
It’s not owned by one organisation.
It’s not protected by designation.
It is looked after by millions of people every day, often without realising the role they play.
That’s not a small thing.
That’s one of the most powerful forces for nature we have.
Research also shows that feeding birds supports human health, wellbeing, and connection to nature, creating a positive relationship between people and wildlife.
6. Behaviour
And that’s where responsibility comes in
Feeding birds isn’t something to stop. It’s something to do properly.
Most risks associated with feeding are linked to hygiene and build-up, not the act of feeding itself.
- Keep food fresh and dry
- Feed little and often
- Avoid build-up and waste
- Clean feeders and water regularly
Small changes, across millions of gardens, make a big difference.
Not sure where to start?
We’ll guide you.
Find the right food for your garden birds - based on their natural needs.
You care about birds. That’s why you feed them.
Clean feeding spaces matter
Healthy birds depend on clean environments.
Regular cleaning and well-designed feeders help reduce risk and support better feeding habits.
Cleaner food. Lower risk.
Dust, debris, and poor-quality ingredients can increase avoidable risks. That’s why we developed our SuperClean™ process - to help reduce dust and deliver cleaner, fresher food. It’s one of the ways we support safer feeding without asking you to stop.
SuperClean™ Seed — The Haith’s Standard
Our SuperClean™ process removes dust, debris, and low-grade material, leaving only fresh, high-quality ingredients birds can digest easily. Cleaner food means less waste, healthier birds, and a better feeding experience for you.
Hand-Blended in Lincolnshire Since 1937
Every mix is carefully blended in-house, combining traditional knowledge with modern quality control. It’s craftsmanship, not mass production.
Trusted by Generations
Garden bird lovers, champion breeders, and wildlife professionals choose Haith’s® for one simple reason: it works. Thousands of five-star reviews reflect decades of consistent quality.
Free UK Delivery Over £35
Reliable, fast delivery — carefully packed in eco-friendly paper packaging wherever possible.
Designed for Bird Health. Built to Last.
Whether you’re feeding robins in winter, rearing canaries, or preparing birds for breeding season, Haith’s® food is made to support long-term vitality and condition.
Help people care for birds properly so nature can thrive
Our purpose is to support bird lovers in creating thriving habitats where nature flourishes.
Guide behaviour, not just products
We educate and inspire through expert advice, helping you make informed choices for the birds you care for.
Clean food, practical advice, trusted expertise
Premium bird food backed by decades of knowledge and a commitment to quality you can trust.