Experts urge not to feed birds bread in January: why such a warning

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In the cold months, especially in January, it is extremely important to provide garden birds with food to help them survive low temperatures and prepare for spring nesting.

During this period, natural food sources such as berries, seeds and fruits become scarce, and access to live insects and worms becomes difficult due to frost. Therefore, support from gardeners is vital, reports Express.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) advises that food and water should be provided regularly throughout the winter, and that birds should be fed twice a day during severe frosts.

At this time, birds need high-calorie, fat-rich foods to keep them energetic and warm. Good options include lard, berries, dried fruit and grated cheese. However, owners are warned against using bread and milk.

Milk is harmful to birds as they are lactose intolerant. Consuming it can cause serious digestive problems, which can be fatal in some cases.

Bread, although digestible by birds, does not provide the necessary nutrients and energy that they need especially in winter. In addition, a large or hard piece of bread can cause choking in small birds, and moldy bread poses a threat due to toxins that can cause serious illness.

So to support birds in the winter, it is worth choosing nutritious and safe foods that will help them stay active and healthy.

“Always remember to provide birds with fresh water for drinking and bathing. And remember – no matter what kind of birds you feed, never pour out milk, as it can make them very sick,” warn experts from the Woodland Trust.

They emphasize that feeding birds bread is not worth it, because although it gives a feeling of satiety, it does not provide them with the necessary nutrients and energy for daily needs.

“This is especially bad in winter, when birds need a lot of high-quality feed to replenish their energy reserves and keep warm,” the experts summarize.