An expert has issued a warning to Brits about feeding birds bread, chocolate and salted peanuts as the weather gets colder.
Chris McIlroy, from The Grass People, said: "Many species of birds will rely on food left out to sustain them through the colder months.
"They need to conserve as much of their energy as possible to stay warm, so any sources of nourishment that are not too hard to find become vital. But it's important to understand what types of food they need, and also anything that can potentially harm them."
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Contrary to popular belief, Chris explained that bread is actually one of the many no-nos. This may surprise people who traditionally feed birds at the park once their loaves have gone stale.
According to Wales Online, he said: "Bread has very little nutritional value for birds, while at the same time making them very full.
"This means less room for the stuff they need, such as seeds and nuts. Much like how throwing old crusts into duck ponds is now frowned upon, leaving it out on your bird table is also a bad idea."
Chris also warns against feeding birds with chocolate, salty foods and meat as they can attract unwanted pests. He said: "Salt can badly affect a bird's nervous system if ingested in higher quantities, so watch out for anything with a high sodium content.
"Many people are aware that birds also need a source of fresh water during the winter so they add salt to a bird bath in a bid to stop it freezing. But, again, this is best avoided. Try floating a ping-pong ball on the surface to act as an ice breaker instead."
Feeding birds with scraps from plates is a common mistake as human food often contains oil and spices which birds cannot digest properly. Chris added: "It can also attract vermin, while rotten food can hold bacteria that is harmful to birds and milk is a big no-no as it can give them diarrhoea and lead to dehydration."
Instead, feed wildlife with protein-rich and full-fat products to keep them healthy. Chris concluded: "Suet and lard are great energy sources, while unsalted nuts also sustain birds for longer. Black sunflower seeds, mixed seeds, fruit and mealworms are also great avian cuisine choices during cold weather – and peanut butter is a hit with many species, as long as it's unsalted."
The RSPB has warned that the ongoing bad weather could lead to a significant loss of birdlife. They explained on their website: "The smaller the bird, the more likely it is to be affected by long periods of cold weather. Many birds do die through starvation in winter, but it's only if freezing temperatures continue during the daytime and night time for several days in a row that there's a likelihood that lots of birds will die."
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