Don’t feed birds with crisps or salty peanuts
Many people believe that savoury treats are suitable for birds but the RSPB is warning that they could actually be very harmful. Crisps contain salt which is toxic to birds as they are unable to process it and it affects their nervous system.
In the wild, birds are unlikely to ever encounter the potentially harmful amounts of salt found in our favourite snacks and the wildlife charity is urging us not to put salted foods onto the bird table this summer.
Crisps also contain vegetable oils and unsaturated fats which may be healthier for us than saturated fats but don't provide birds with the energy they need. And with the breeding season continuing through the summer for many birds which have more than one brood, there is a high chance baby birds could choke on larger pieces of crisp.
Suitable leftovers
Lloyd Scott, RSPB Wildlife Adviser, says: "Please don't feed crisps to birds. It's great that people think of their garden wildlife and want to give them leftovers but some simply aren't suitable.
"We ask that you never put salted food onto bird tables, and savoury snacks like crisps and peanuts are among the most harmful. Thankfully there are loads of other suitable leftovers we can put out that will be really nutritious treat for our birds. With the breeding season underway many adult birds and very busy feeding their chicks and they will be grateful for any additional help you can provide.
The RSPB suggests feeding leftover such as mild grated cheese, cooked potatoes, fruit, pastry, cooked rice and porridge oats instead of salted snacks. The wildlife charity also asks that leftovers are broken down, as at this time of year, baby birds may find it difficult to swallow larger pieces.
In the wild, birds are unlikely to ever encounter the potentially harmful amounts of salt found in our favourite snacks and the wildlife charity is urging us not to put salted foods onto the bird table this summer.
Crisps also contain vegetable oils and unsaturated fats which may be healthier for us than saturated fats but don't provide birds with the energy they need. And with the breeding season continuing through the summer for many birds which have more than one brood, there is a high chance baby birds could choke on larger pieces of crisp.
Suitable leftovers
Lloyd Scott, RSPB Wildlife Adviser, says: "Please don't feed crisps to birds. It's great that people think of their garden wildlife and want to give them leftovers but some simply aren't suitable.
"We ask that you never put salted food onto bird tables, and savoury snacks like crisps and peanuts are among the most harmful. Thankfully there are loads of other suitable leftovers we can put out that will be really nutritious treat for our birds. With the breeding season underway many adult birds and very busy feeding their chicks and they will be grateful for any additional help you can provide.
The RSPB suggests feeding leftover such as mild grated cheese, cooked potatoes, fruit, pastry, cooked rice and porridge oats instead of salted snacks. The wildlife charity also asks that leftovers are broken down, as at this time of year, baby birds may find it difficult to swallow larger pieces.
