Robins are a familiar sight in gardens throughout the year, unlike many other birds that migrate during the winter. As spring approaches and the breeding season begins, these red-breasted songbirds remain active, foraging for food to sustain themselves and their growing families. However, colder temperatures make it harder for robins to find natural food sources, as insects become scarce, and fruit bushes remain bare.
To support robins during this crucial time, wildlife experts recommend that gardeners leave out specific high-energy foods. Providing these food sources can help robins stay warm, maintain their energy levels, and prepare for the breeding season. According to experts, sunflower hearts and mealworms are two of the best food options to help robins thrive in early spring.
Why Do Robins Need Extra Food During Spring?
Spring marks the beginning of the breeding season, and robins require additional energy to build nests, lay eggs, and care for their chicks. While robins primarily eat live insects, worms, and fruits, these foods become harder to find when temperatures drop. The lack of readily available food can impact their survival, making it essential for garden enthusiasts to step in and provide support.
Robins are natural ground feeders, so placing food on a ground feeding tray or a bird table ensures they can easily access it. According to the Woodland Trust, offering a mix of sunflower hearts and mealworms provides robins with essential nutrients, helping them maintain their strength and stay active throughout the season.
1. Sunflower Hearts: A High-Energy Essential
Sunflower hearts are an excellent choice for feeding robins as they are packed with healthy fats and proteins. Unlike black sunflower seeds, which have husks that birds must crack open, sunflower hearts are already de-husked, making them easier for robins to consume.
Bird food specialists at Beaky Bites explain: “A key aspect of high-quality bird seed is its high energy content. Black sunflower seeds, for example, are a high-energy food that’s easily accessible to birds. Many garden bird watchers provide sunflower hearts as staple foods because of their nutritional value and convenience.”
Sunflower hearts are not only beneficial for robins but are also favored by other garden birds such as finches and tits. One of the advantages of using sunflower hearts is that they leave less mess around feeding areas since they don’t have husks that birds discard.
2. Mealworms: A Protein-Packed Favorite
Mealworms are another top food choice for robins. As insectivores, robins naturally prefer live food, and mealworms closely mimic their natural diet. Providing mealworms ensures that robins receive the protein they need to build strong muscles and maintain their energy levels.
Experts recommend offering both live and dried mealworms, but if using dried mealworms, it’s best to soak them in water before feeding. This added moisture helps prevent dehydration in birds, making them easier to digest.
Foods to Avoid During Breeding Season
While robins benefit from high-energy foods, certain foods can pose risks, especially during the breeding season. Peanuts, for example, should be avoided entirely between March and August. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) warns that whole peanuts can be a choking hazard for young birds. Instead, gardeners should offer peanut granules, which are easier for birds to consume.
The RSPB advises: “Never place out loose nuts, especially during the breeding season, but offer them either enclosed in a rigid mesh feeder from which birds are only able to extract small pieces, or finely chopped in a seed mix.”
Additionally, salted peanuts should never be given to birds, as they contain harmful levels of sodium. Experts also caution against low-quality nuts, which may contain aflatoxin, a toxic substance produced by fungi. To ensure safety, only purchase peanuts from reputable suppliers who guarantee they are aflatoxin-free.
Creating a Robin-Friendly Garden
In addition to providing food, gardeners can take other steps to create a safe and welcoming environment for robins. Here are some practical tips:
- Provide Fresh Water: Birds need clean water for drinking and bathing. Keeping a shallow dish of fresh water available helps robins stay hydrated.
- Plant Native Shrubs and Trees: Growing berry-producing plants like holly and hawthorn provides a natural food source for robins.
- Leave Leaf Litter Undisturbed: Fallen leaves are home to insects and worms, which serve as natural food for robins.
- Limit Pesticide Use: Reducing chemical pesticides in the garden helps protect the insects that robins rely on for food.
Supporting robins during the colder months and breeding season is a rewarding way to help local wildlife. By offering high-energy foods such as sunflower hearts and mealworms, gardeners can provide essential nutrition to these charming birds, ensuring they remain healthy and active.
