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With winter, garden birds have a little more difficulty finding their food. If you too would like to give them a helping hand, here are some valuable tips.

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Winter is synonymous with shorter days, but above all colder ones. A particularly hostile season for birds. Magali Germain, communications manager for the LPO Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, explains why: “Feeding birds during winter is an action that helps them survive. When there is snow or during periods of extreme cold, access to food resources is very difficult for them.”

The LPO recommends favoring a balanced mixture of seeds. “We can offer them sunflower seeds, millet seeds or oats,” advises Magali Germain. Seeds aren't the only options available. We can also offer them the rest of our fresh fruits such as apples, pears or grapes, but also dried fruits like walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts.

Once they have eaten well, birds need to drink as well. A small saucer of lukewarm water will do the trick. You just have to make sure the water doesn't freeze, underlines the specialist. That will allow them to drink but also to wash their plumage. This is important because dirty plumage no longer provides good protection against the cold. If the plumage is dirty or greasy, it will no longer be waterproof. You should also make sure to change the water as often as possible..

Avoid all foods containing salt or dairy products. “They will have difficulty assimilating it. They don't digest them, so it can be very harmful for them. On avoid anything that is salted peanuts, chips, cake. Contrary to popular belief, fresh but also dry bread is not good for birds. It tends to swell in their stomachs, which can cause intestinal damage. We also avoid flax and castor seeds which are toxic to them. specifies Magali Germain.

Another idea for feeding birds: fat balls. But again be careful. “You have to be careful not to give them those made from animal fat”warns Magali Germain. It is therefore preferable to choose balls made yourself from wheat, millet, black sunflower and vegetable fat. And above all, without a net! “Birds get their feet caught in it and it can become a death trap for them”.

To help them get through this difficult season, birds can count on a helping hand from humans. “We can install small feeders. However, we must ensure that they are placed so that the birds feel safe, that is to say, at a height, protected from predators such as cats.” It is recommended to favor small feeders, even if it means having several, to avoid too large a concentration of birds. Care must be taken to ensure that the tray is sheltered so that the seeds remain dry. “If rainwater seeps into the feeder, the seeds can macerate and rot and this can be dangerous for birds,” underlines the specialist. Also be careful not to install the feeders too close to the windows: “With the reflection, they will be able to believe that it is an extension of the landscape. They therefore risk bumping into each other and injuring themselves,” underlines Magali Germain.

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