19/12/2024
You CAN feed birds:
Nectar blend designed for honeyeaters and lorikeets.
Wet or dry nectar mixes are available for purchase at Australian pet stores. These commercially prepared mixes are specifically designed to be nutritionally balanced and replicate the natural diets of nectarivorous birds such as honeyeaters and lorikeets, in contrast to homemade alternatives. It is important to note that these mixes can spoil rapidly and should be replaced every few hours. If you are unable to clean up regularly, it is advisable to avoid using this type of food.
Fresh produce
Ideal for fruit-eating birds like parrots, pigeons, doves, and bowerbirds.
You can offer small amounts of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables to the fruit and nectar-feeding birds in your garden. Suitable options include grapes, berries, peas, leafy greens, and chopped apple, pear, tomato, melon, carrot, and figs. Birds can also enjoy pieces of bananas and stone fruits, but be sure to remove the peels and pits beforehand.
It is important to avoid feeding birds avocado, citrus fruits, onions, or garlic, as these items are harmful to them. Please refer to our series on vegetable benefits for some tips
Keep in mind that fresh produce can spoil rapidly, so it should be removed within six hours. If you are unable to clean up regularly, it is best to refrain from offering fruit.
Earthworms, mealworms, and various insects are appropriate food sources for insectivorous birds such as fantails, fairy-wrens, flycatchers, and whistlers, as well as for certain carnivorous species like magpies and butcherbirds.
Insects and invertebrates serve as a nutritious food source for insectivorous and carnivorous birds in your backyard. You can acquire crickets and mealworms, available in both live and freeze-dried forms, from pet supply retailers or online. Alternatively, you can collect worms directly from your garden. Additionally, a calcium-rich commercial insectivore mix, like Wombaroo, is an excellent choice.
Seeds, nuts, and grains are appropriate for a variety of birds, including parrots such as cockatoos, Galahs, corellas, and rosellas, as well as pigeons, doves, and finches.
Seed-eating birds enjoy a diverse diet that includes seeds from various grasses, shrubs, and trees. To best support their nutritional needs, it is advisable to offer a selection of high-quality, uncooked seeds, nuts, and grains in different sizes. Suitable options include millet, wheat, rolled oats, sorghum, and pieces of peanuts. Commercial seed mixes from reputable pet or animal food manufacturers generally provide superior nutritional benefits compared to standard supermarket offerings. Additionally, specialized nutrient-rich pellets are available for purchase.
It is important to limit the provision of high-fat oil seeds such as sunflower, canola, and safflower seeds, as these should only be given in moderation. Although these seeds are favored by birds and are widely accessible, their high fat and protein content can lead to various health complications.
Reduce the spread of disease
Bird feeders and feeding stations can facilitate the transmission of diseases such as psittacine beak and feather disease if not maintained with proper cleanliness. To mitigate this risk, it is essential to clean and scrub the feeding area daily using a wildlife disinfectant or a diluted bleach solution, mixing 1 mL of bleach with 20 mL of water Or F10
Additional measures to minimize disease spread include:
* Disposing of old food daily to prevent spoilage, mold growth, and the attraction of rodents and other predators.
* Setting up multiple feeding stations for various food types and offering food at different times throughout the day.
* Avoiding the simultaneous feeding of large bird flocks and discontinuing feeding if any sick or unhealthy birds are observed.
We are a private rescue not a charity. We have extensive training and look forward to helping you
