Once you've started feeding the birds, you must not stop!

A Myth, But Now It Will Be Illuminated in a way that no one else has done….

It is indeed so incredibly easy to draw quick general conclusions from very limited studies or assumptions.

First, we debunk the common notion almost right at its core. Your individual bird feeding makes little difference as long as the rest of Sweden feeds them. There are also no laws or regulations in Sweden that govern bird feeding. However, some other countries have officially recommended not feeding wild birds because it affects the ecosystems in an unnatural way. The wild birds still retain their survival instincts. Even if it is freezing cold and snowing heavily just when you feed them, the dinner guests will abandon your bird feeding station and fly to someone else’s feeding — or continue to search for food in nature. However, this obviously implies an increased risk for the birds depending on how far away your neighbors are, what species are involved, and the weather conditions.

It should also be emphasized that if you want to have many birds at your feeding station, long breaks are definitely not a good strategy! 

Let's start by going over the most common birds' behaviors. You can't just generalize all birds…
Tits: Their natural diet consists mostly of insects that they find among branches, needles, bark, etc., even in winter. But they are omnivores, so berries, seeds, and carrion also find their way into their diet. They have a wandering behavior in the immediate vicinity and are probably the ones that move most between different bird feeding stations. Some studies show this, particularly for the great tit. You might think you have 10 great tits at your place all winter, but in reality, it's 100 different individuals total that have visited your feeding station. 

The blue tit and the great tit are the most common tit species, and both have increased in recent years, with the blue tit significantly expanding its range northwards. Both are the most typical generalists – meaning they have the ability to nest in various locations, are curious, and dare to reconsider their diet and methods of finding food. The duo are the only tits that do not naturally hoard food. The long-tailed tit also does not hoard, but from a taxonomic standpoint, it is not actually a true tit.

It's not a far-fetched idea that the increasingly widespread bird feeding is connected to the rise in these two species. A bird that is decreasing, however, is the Siberian tit. It breeds and overwinters in northern Sweden and depends on old diverse forests rich in insects. But in terms of the number of bird individuals, the blue tit and great tit have certainly increased by more individuals than the Siberian tit has decreased. Is there a difference between individuals? Can we consider one species to be more valuable than another? And does it matter if a species' well-being is unconditionally linked to a functioning ecosystem with thousands of other species?

During the non-breeding season, so-called "tit flocks" roam the forests in search of spiders and insects. Large flocks of tits of all species, along with goldcrests, treecreepers, and nuthatches, join these flocks. It's worth noting that even our smallest bird, the goldcrest (which we might feel most sympathetic towards), the treecreeper, and the wren all overwinter in the southern part of Sweden. They are pure insectivores and never come to bird feeders. The treecreeper is an exception, as it can actually eat chopped sunflower seeds and suet, though this is uncommon. This trio—goldcrest, wren, and treecreeper—deserves a bigger place in our considerations when we talk about winter birds. They are tiny and must eat large portions of their weight each day. Regardless of how cold or snowy it is, their dependence on insects remains—they are not flexible enough to switch to a seed-based diet—which is why many of us lack a connection with them. As previously mentioned, Slåttergubben believes that when we talk about "the birds," it shouldn't just be equated with those that come to feeders. To be kind to these three requires living forests and lush gardens that host plenty of wild insects and arachnids!

Great tits would manage just fine if you stopped feeding them, and quite well even if EVERYONE stopped feeding them at the same time. Of course, some would starve since there is likely a larger wintering population of great tits than nature itself can sustain today. 

Tree sparrow and house sparrow: Both of these species are significantly more sedentary than the great tits. If possible, they will overwinter on the same farm or street where they breed. They have always been dependent on a seed diet in the winter. In the past, this consisted only of grains and weed seeds (what we at Slåttergubben sell as field seeds). Now, they increasingly rely on expensive imported seeds like hemp and sunflower, which they choose any day of the week (if available). The house sparrow was more common in the past, before we started feeding birds—it lived summer and winter on insects and leftover seeds from the tens of thousands of small working farms with animals that used to exist. Even in cities, there were plenty of animals, compost, horse manure, and scraps. A feast for the house sparrow. Today, these "natural" food sources are almost entirely gone, yet we still have a fairly large population of these birds. The tree sparrow is the third most common bird-feeding visitor in Sweden, and the house sparrow is the eleventh most common. They coexist well in flocks and often mix during the winter.

If you stop feeding and have neighbors nearby, the birds will simply fly there. If you live very isolated, they have to make a journey to a place where there is food. It's likely they already know about it, even though they are much more stationary than the tits, they do move around sometimes. And they usually fly in flocks, so someone can guide the way. However, if EVERYONE were to stop feeding at the same time in the cold, snowy winter, we would probably see a lot of birds starve to death. Their "natural" food sources that once existed in the small-scale agricultural landscapes and cities with animals, waste, hay, composts, horse manure, oats for horses, etc., are practically gone.

Yellowhammer: In winter, it's also a flock bird that traditionally overwinters in the same way as the house sparrow—preferably using stubble fields rich in weed seeds, etc., when the ground is bare. The yellowhammer nests in natural pastures and is a typical bird in a mosaic landscape. It has also adapted to clear-cut areas and power-line corridors as nesting sites. They make a short or long migration to find good overwintering spots. Northern and eastern yellowhammers almost certainly migrate further since the winters are harsher. As a species, it is much more mobile in winter than the house sparrow/tree sparrow, so it won't be harmed if you stop feeding it. However, if EVERYONE stopped feeding during a cold and snowy period, it could have a significantly harder time, especially as its more natural overwintering environment—the working farms—has drastically decreased in number. The yellowhammer is the only species that prefers grains—and it needs them on the ground. So, the field seeds from Slåttergubben, on the ground, that is. We consider the yellowhammer and also the house sparrow/tree sparrow as the most important birds to support feed since we have pulled the rug from under their "natural" overwintering sites. That is, by rationalizing agriculture.

Bullfinch: Nests in the forest far from houses in the summer. Often comes in flocks during the winter and is most common in Jämtland and other parts of central Sweden. They usually eat buds, but also ash seeds in winter. Therefore, they have a natural food source to rely on if you stop feeding them. The bullfinch is mobile over large areas outside the breeding season. Even if EVERYONE stopped feeding them at once, the bullfinches would likely manage quite well – although it is conceivable that there are "unnaturally" high concentrations of bullfinches in some areas due to feeding.

Siskins: Both the redpoll and the Eurasian siskin typically nest in the forest, far from the nearest house. They are flock birds and highly mobile during the winter, even crossing countries. The Eurasian siskin is completely specialized in alder seeds, while the redpoll focuses on birch seeds in winter. In years when natural food is abundant, fewer siskins are observed at bird feeders – in bad years, they can appear in large numbers. Generally, both species are seen more frequently at feeders later in winter/spring when food becomes scarce. It doesn't matter at all if you stop feeding them; the flock will move on. If EVERYONE stopped feeding during a year when either of them is present in large numbers at bird feeders, it would certainly cause significant stress and even some starvation. However, they adapt and relocate quickly.
The abundance of birch and alder seeds during winters is entirely dependent on natural fluctuations and is unaffected by human influence. It's nice that it can be that way sometimes! Well… unless you count the climate crisis, which could potentially impact seed production both positively and negatively.

Blackbird and Robin: These two have a lot in common. Firstly, the number of overwinterers in Sweden has increased dramatically in recent years. They are so-called short-distance migrators, meaning they don't move further than necessary. Their migration is partly influenced by the weather but perhaps primarily by a variation within the species where some take a chance on staying further north in hopes of a mild winter. When the ground is clear of snow, these two manage just fine in nature, searching for insects on the ground under bushes and leaves in lush environments. When the cold and snow set in and there is suddenly an abundant supply of fatty imported seeds, more individuals can obviously survive the winter, and this behavior can then be passed on to the next generation, allowing even more to stay. What these two also have in common is that they are territorial even in winter. The blackbirds bicker constantly, yet about 50 of them can share the same feeding area. The robin, however, fights until it is the only one left at the feeding spot. Therefore, the robin is likely the species where individual risks are greatest if you stop feeding them. This is especially true when it's really harsh outside with a lot of snow, because they become completely dependent on a steady food supply. If EVERYONE stopped feeding them during a tough winter, these two would struggle, especially the already tired individuals. But this can be viewed from different perspectives – we might think it’s good that there are more robins and blackbirds in Sweden during winter and that we are genuinely helping them. On the other hand, we spend a lot of money on imported seeds which could have gone to other conservation efforts or allowed us to work and consume less... And what is more important – the blackbird in just your garden? Or is the currently enormous number of overwintering blackbirds not that significant, as individuals or as part of the ecosystem, precisely because we have artificially and expensively sustained them? These are questions we believe need reflection before categorically stating what is good or bad for “the birds” when discussing bird feeding.

Magpie: A beloved and hated bird! Nevertheless, it's a species that also deserves to exist and is incredibly stylish! It is associated with human farms and communities and is very site-loyal, although truly northern and eastern populations do indeed migrate. The magpie is cunning and omnivorous, lives in pairs, and is not seen in flocks even in winter. (Only in spring sometimes when they gather for mating). It will become quite upset with you if you stop feeding it, at least if it's a bit of a distance to the neighbor. But it would manage just fine. If EVERYONE stopped feeding, many magpies would likely have a tough time because our gardens and communities are quite sterile these days.

Jackdaw: Perhaps even less loved than the magpie... Lives in large flocks as soon as they are not nesting. Tied to human communities and larger farms. It is significantly more mobile than the magpie, and the northern populations are true migratory birds. No jackdaw will be affected if you personally stop feeding them, but of course, many jackdaws would struggle if EVERYONE stopped feeding at once during a harsh winter. They are then, just like the magpie, heavily dependent on feedings.

Greenfinch: A fairly common bird in various habitats, often near humans. Absent in coniferous forests. A pure seed-eater in the winter. The population has more than halved since the disease trichomonosis arrived in Sweden in 2008. The disease spreads mostly through bird feeding, so since at least 2008, we have contributed to halving a species' population through bird feeding. On the other hand, we can never really know how much the disease would have spread without feeding. But most likely significantly less (read more in myth 6).

Another aspect is that we likely had a significantly larger population of greenfinches in 2008 than nature itself could sustain due to extensive bird feeding. So perhaps the population has returned to more of a normal state. The greenfinch loves sunflower seeds; it can eat grains, oats, and rapeseed at feeding stations – but that's only if neither you nor any nearby neighbors have sunflower or fatty hemp. Greenfinches like to stay together in flocks outside of breeding season and are mobile over large areas. Some also leave the country in winter, and maybe even more would if we didn't feed them so extensively. So if YOU stop feeding, the greenfinch will manage just fine. If EVERYONE were to stop feeding during a harsh winter, many greenfinches would surely struggle – on the other hand, if everyone stopped feeding for good, the disease could probably be halted quite radically.

Of course, there are more birds to talk about, but here are the 10 most common guests at the feeder, along with a few others.

In summary, we must be aware that there is a difference between birds and birds among those we feed. It makes a difference if just you stop feeding them or if everyone were to stop feeding them all at once. It is also very different for many birds in terms of their opportunities to find food during the winter in their more natural environments. The more depleted the nature and sterilized the gardens are, the more dependent the birds become on bird feeding—but is that really an argument for the importance of bird feeding? Isn’t it more an argument for improving our local environments so they become full of life with thousands of species instead?
Consider whether it is equally "valuable" if a bird species is present in good numbers because we have fed it or if it is abundant because it is part of an ecosystem with thousands of species that support its population by themselves. We also want to point out once again that when you read elsewhere about how important it is to feed "the birds" or "small birds," only a very small number of species are meant. 78% of the feeder visitors consist of 10 species that are common and adaptable. Moreover, if you read that small birds in Sweden are decreasing for one reason or another and that you must help them by feeding them, it's even more misleading. The species that really struggle are almost exclusively migratory birds you never see at a feeder—and unfortunately, you don’t have as close a relationship with them.

There is so much research that is bizarre, or perhaps it’s more accurate to say the general conclusions drawn from narrow studies. Now that we have given you our background, you can read this report that many have referred to, and based on the small study on a particular tit in the USA, it dispels this myth… Excessive extrapolation, you might say in academic terms.

You do not need to feel guilty if you go on vacation and forget to ask someone to refill the bird food. Speaking of refilling the food—good eyesight, memory, and intelligence make some small birds seem to know who refills the food and therefore whom to ask for a refill. Have you also received a demanding tap on the window?