For many of us, it's just part of life in the depths of winter: Feeding blackbirds, sparrows and titmice with seeds and dumplings. NABU also recommends bird feeding as a unique nature experience, especially for children. But how do I feed the birds in my garden properly? What is important?

Feeding birds correctly: Which food is best suited

Sunflower seeds as basic food are eaten by almost all species. In addition to granivores such as finches, soft feeders such as blackbirds also stay here throughout the winter. They can be offered raisins, oat flakes and fruit near the ground. Tits in particular love mixtures of fat and seeds. But be careful with store-bought tit dumplings: they are usually wrapped in plastic netting and the birds can easily get tangled up in it. It is better to make your own. Under no circumstances should you feed salty food or bread, as it swells up quickly in the bird's stomach.

Why feed silos are so useful

Unlike in traditional bird feeders, the birds cannot walk around in the food and soil it with droppings. This reduces the formation and spread of diseases. If the silos are of good quality, they only need to be cleaned once before and after the winter season. Hang them in a sheltered and clearly visible place so that cats cannot sneak in. Avoid proximity to windows.