Knowledge base: Feeding garden birds
Are peanuts safe for garden birds?
Yes, with three conditions from the RSPB and the BTO: offer them in a rigid steel mesh feeder, buy good-quality nuts with no sign of mould, and only put them out from 1 November to 30 April. Loose peanuts are on the RSPB’s list of things to avoid.
The feeder
The RSPB says “Nut feeders made of rigid steel mesh are the only safe method of offering nuts to wild birds.” Its bird café page lists loose peanuts among the foods to avoid, and suggests a hanging mesh feeder with peanuts for tits and nuthatches.
The nuts
The BTO says: “Always buy good quality peanuts from a reputable source and avoid any that show any signs of mould.” It explains that peanuts can be contaminated with a naturally occurring toxin called aflatoxin. The RSPB also lists poor-quality peanuts among the foods to avoid for the same reason.
The season
Both organisations now ask you to pause seeds and peanuts from May to October, because the risk of spreading trichomonosis is higher then. Mealworms, fat balls and suet can continue in small amounts. See should I stop feeding birds in summer?
Sources
- RSPB: Feeding birds near you, opened 14 November 2026.
- RSPB: Open a bird café, opened 14 November 2026.
- BTO: Feeding garden birds, opened 14 November 2026.