I’m Winterwatch ornithologist Jack Baddams and this is why feeding birds might be doing more harm than good

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For years, I’ve enjoyed feeding birds, and many others do too. People love watching birds visit their homes and gardens and want to support them. In fact, UK households spend around £250 million each year on bird food – that’s an estimated 17 million homes contributing!

As a lifelong nature and wildlife film fan, I’ve been hearing more and more discussion lately about whether we’re actually helping birds by feeding them. It’s something the team is really diving into on this year’s Winterwatch – we’re starting to wonder if our good intentions might actually be causing problems.

A major worry with bird feeders is the spread of disease, which can sometimes be very serious. For example, in 2005, a disease called trichomonosis jumped from pigeons to greenfinches at bird feeders. This caused a dramatic 62% drop in the greenfinch population, and the species is now considered at high risk of extinction.

The chaffinch, a close relative of the bird in question, is also declining rapidly, with populations dropping by nearly 40% in just over a decade. Because of this, the RSPB has temporarily stopped selling bird tables and flat feeders while they investigate the cause.

It’s worth thinking about just how much food we put out for birds. In the UK alone, people buy over 150,000 tons of bird food annually. But where does all that food actually come from? Just like any other crop, bird food is grown on farms. This often involves preparing the land and using chemicals to control weeds. Some popular choices, like peanuts, are grown in warmer countries and have to be shipped long distances to get here.

Another concern is how providing bird food impacts the environment. Does it help all bird species equally? While some garden bird numbers are increasing – great tits are up 40% and goldfinches a remarkable 152% compared to 30 years ago – others, such as the pied flycatcher, are declining significantly.

As a bird and movie lover, I find this fascinating! These little pied flycatchers make an incredible journey, flying all the way to Africa for the winter. When they return to UK woodlands, they usually find fewer blue tits and great tits around because of the cold weather. But here’s the thing – if people keep putting out bird feeders, those other birds actually increase in number. Sadly, that’s been bad news for the flycatchers, who prefer to hunt for insects and don’t benefit from feeders. In fact, their numbers have dropped by a worrying 38% in just thirty years!

Researchers are investigating how feeding birds impacts their populations, and it seems it may also be changing their physical traits. A recent study of great tits in Britain revealed that their beaks are getting longer. Scientists believe this is likely because the birds are adapting to better reach food in bird feeders.

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For years, many of us have been told to feed birds, and we’ve even done so on Winterwatch. This year, we’re filming at Mount Stewart in County Down, featuring red squirrels, pine martens, badgers, and songbirds. However, if providing food might actually cause more harm than good, what are some better ways to help birds survive the winter?

Attract wildlife to your garden or balcony by planting berry, nut, and seed-producing plants. Try to create a natural environment, even in a small outdoor space. Sunflowers are a fantastic choice – they offer nectar for insects during the summer and delicious seeds once the flowers fade.

Boost the life in your garden by planting native trees and shrubs – things like oak, birch, guelder rose, or hawthorn – which give insects a place to live and provide food for birds. Or, create a pond to dramatically increase the variety of plants and animals it supports.

Instead of just offering birds a quick meal, focus on creating a full environment where they can thrive. Think long-term habitat, not just a temporary food source.

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Jack Baddams

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2026-01-12 21:13