From pretty, cheerful bluebirds to busy, jewel-toned hummingbirds, it’s a joy to watch our feathered visitors at our backyard feeders. But with an abundance of food available in the warm weather months, should you still feed them? Or can feeding birds in summer harm them in any way?
There’s no question that feeding birds is beneficial at certain times of year.
“Birds benefit most from feeders during the wintertime, when food resources are less plentiful,” says Olivia Sanderfoot, PhD, research scientist and project leader, FeederWatch at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “Keep in mind that bird feeding is always supplemental. Birds are perfectly capable of finding their own food, so feeding birds is often for our own enjoyment, not their survival. Exceptions are during times of resource scarcity, such as extreme winter weather.”
But when it’s warm, things change. First, there’s an abundance of bugs on the menu for many species. “During summer, backyard birds primarily eat and feed insects like caterpillars and grasshoppers to provide essential protein and nourishment for their quickly growing chicks,” says Kaitlyn Parkins, glass collisions program coordinator at American Bird Conservancy. “A single brood of chickadee chicks for example can consume 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars before they leave their nest.”
But it also depends on the type of bird. “Some species are granivorous; these birds eat mostly seeds or grain,” says Sanderfoot. “Some birds incorporate berries and fruits in their diet, and generalist species eat a wide range of foods.”
Ahead, learn more about whether or not you still should feed your backyard birds in the summer:
Is It Safe to Feed Birds in Summer?
With some caveats, the good news for all of us bird lovers is that it’s okay to feed your birds in the summer. For seed-eaters, black oil sunflower seeds and thistle seed (Nyjer) tend to be the most recommended bird food during all seasons. American goldfinches, cardinals, siskins, and grosbeaks will be attracted, says Parkins.
Summertime birds love other foods, too, such as fruit, peanuts, and mealworms. Oranges sliced in half are a favorite of orioles, while blue jays love peanuts. Bluebirds, which may eat up to 2,000 insects in a single day, are big fans of mealworms, says Parkins.
Of course, hummingbirds love native plants, but they’ll also come to sip at your feeders filled with homemade sugar water. Use a ratio of one part granulated sugar dissolved in four parts hot water.
You also can learn more about common feeder birds and what they prefer to eat here, says Sanderfoot.
That said, there are summer feeding mistakes you should avoid to protect bird health.
Think Twice Before Putting Out Suet in Hot Weather
“Suet can be put out but only in cooler temperatures and shaded areas,” says Parkins. “If it’s too hot, the suet will melt, not only causing spoilage that can harbor harmful pathogens but also become a greasy mess that can get on birds’ feathers, affecting their flight and waterproofing.” If you do want to offer this food, buy a “no melt” suet, which has a more dense, dough-like base that’s less likely to melt and stick to feathers.
Why Cleaning Bird Feeders Matters Even More in Summer
This is an important point: If you are feeding your birds, you’ll need to clean feeders regularly—no matter what time of year it is. However, heat, humidity, rain, and direct sunlight exposure definitely can cause seeds to spoil quickly. Spoiled seeds can harbor harmful molds, bacteria, and toxins that can make birds ill. In the case of hummingbird feeders, heat causes the sugar mixture to ferment and spoil faster, says Parkins.
Feeders also can be a source of disease transmission. “When birds congregate at feeders, they can spread pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria, from one individual to another, either through direct contact or indirectly, like from droppings,” says Sanderfoot.
In some cases, feeders have been linked to bird declines, such as the outbreak of trichomoniasis that decimated the European greenfinch population in the United Kingdom.
“This is why some conservation organizations in the U.K. recently announced that they are now recommending that folks take down their feeders during the summer months, when trichomoniasis is more likely to spread,” says Sanderfoot. “Trichomoniasis is not currently having the same impact on North American bird populations.”
There’s no one-size-fits-all recommendation for cleaning because not all bird diseases are transmitted in the same way. The most important thing to do is to clean your feeders regularly—every week or two or even more frequently, if needed. Hummingbird feeders need to be cleaned every few days in hot, humid weather or when you see signs of cloudiness or spoilage.
Other Ways to Keep Birds Healthy in Summer
Besides offering a variety of foods to attract the most species and cleaning feeders regularly, here’s what else you can do to support birds in the summer:
Put out birdbaths.
This is especially helpful during times of drought. Change the water as frequently as possible. Adding a drip component will make your birdbath especially attractive to birds, says Sanderfoot.
Place feeders and birdbaths in a shaded spot.
Just like people, birds appreciate a little shade on a hot day. Shade also prevents algae and other harmful growths from forming quite as quickly, says Parkins.
Situate feeders and baths away from or above where predators might pounce.
Also, keep your cat indoors. Cats kill an estimated 2.4 billion birds per year, says Parkins.
Protect birds from window collisions.
Birds can’t see windows, especially with the reflections of sky and trees. Tragically, most window collisions are fatal for birds. But you can use many DIY and commercial products to make windows visible, says Sanderfoot.
