{"id":64631,"date":"2026-01-26T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thegreenlist.nl\/?p=64631"},"modified":"2026-02-07T13:38:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T12:38:43","slug":"feeding-birds-why-you-should-take-bird-food-out-of-a-net","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thegreenlist.nl\/en\/vogels-bijvoeren-waarom-je-vogelvoer-uit-een-netje-moet-halen\/","title":{"rendered":"Feeding birds: why you should always get bird food from a net"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Well-meaning, of course, such nets of bird food to help the birds in the garden. But those nets can be dangerous. Birds can get tangled in them and the plastic ends up in nature. In this article, we explain why it is better not to use them and how to feed birds properly.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Supplementary feeding of birds in winter: why really?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the cold months, birds have an extra hard time. Their natural food sources - such as insects, seeds and berries - are scarce then, while they need a lot of energy to stay warm. According to the Dutch Bird Society, some birds lose as much as 10% of their body weight in a freezing night. No superfluous luxury, then, that handful of help in the form of some bird food. No wonder fat balls and peanuts are eagerly sold over the counter in winter. Especially those nets with ready-made food seem ideal: cheap, easy to hang up and available everywhere. But that convenience is misleading. For the birds themselves, those plastic nets are actually life-threatening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do birds actually eat?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every bird has its own preference and this is reflected in its beak. There are seed-eaters like sparrows, finches and greenfinches, insect-eaters like the dunnock, robin and wren and fruit-eaters like starling and thrush. So what you offer in your garden determines which birds will visit you. In winter, they mainly need fats and extras such as seeds, unsalted peanuts, sultanas or some fruit. In spring, however, it's all about protein (caterpillars, insects, worms) and calcium for laying eggs. Lime can be given in the form of boiled, crushed egg shells. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opinions on supplementary feeding are divided, but the Bird Protection Society is clear: you can supplement birds all year round. After all, they are always using a lot of energy - to keep themselves warm, to lay eggs or to build up reserves. In winter, this is especially important. Don't worry about making them lazy. When they have eaten enough, they simply fly on again. You can read more about helping birds in winter in this article.<\/a> Do pay attention to how you feed. Leaving too much food lying around attracts pests. And what you offer is also important. Choose responsible food without salt or sugar, and use safe ways to hang it up. There are plenty of alternatives to ready-made fat balls in plastic nets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Feeding birds is also a fun winter DIY activity.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tip: choose organic bird food<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are going to supplement bird food, prefer to choose organic bird food. Regular bird food may contain residues of synthetic pesticides because the seeds and grains have been grown with pesticides. These agents are meant to kill insects and can also be harmful to birds, especially if they eat it for a long time. Organic bird food is free of these substances, making it a more logical, healthier choice for birds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Feeding birds safely in winter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Supplementary feeding birds in winter? Good idea! There are many safe and convenient ways to do so, without plastic nets. Just as easy, but much better for the birds and your garden. We take you through a few ideas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n