Gardeners putting peanuts out for birds in February have been issued a warning (Image: Getty)
UK households putting peanuts out for birds in their in February have been issued a warning.
Food can be difficult for birds to come by at this time of the year as like berries, seeds and fruit, are more scarce, while the can make live insects and worms hard to access as the ground is hard or frozen.
As such, it’s important that gardeners provide a helping hand to birds during the by leaving food and water out on a regular basis, with meaning birds may need to be fed twice daily.
Foods like suet, dried fruits, berries, grated cheese, nuts and seeds are all good options to leave out for birds as they provide a high-energy and fat content to keep birds both active and warm, but gardeners are warned not to avoid leaving out certain types of peanuts.
While peanuts are a great high fat content food source for birds, wildlife experts warn there are certain factors to bear in mind before leaving them out.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) says that peanuts should not be put out whole and should never be salted, as over consumption of salt is toxic to birds and can even be fatal to smaller species.
Instead, gardeners should aim to buy high-quality, unsalted peanuts as poorer quality nuts tend to be higher in aflatoxin, a type of mould fungus that can be fatal to birds.
Many species of birds will eat peanuts, including wrens, tits, jays, doves and crows, but if you leave peanuts out whole you may find that this will attract some other unwelcome visitors into your garden, like squirrels, foxes, mice and hedgehogs.
As such, it’s recommended that peanuts are only put out whole if they are in a wire mesh container, otherwise it is best to crush them.
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Wildlife experts also advise avoiding leaving peanuts out entirely during the breeding season which typically starts in February and lasts until August, although this will vary depending on the species and weather conditions.
Peanuts should be avoided during this period as they can pose a choking hazard for young birds, so it’s safer to offer peanut granules which are smaller and easier to consume.
The RSPB warns: “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.
“Salted peanuts should never be given to birds. Aflatoxin is a poison produced by a fungus, which can occur on peanuts in their country of origin. It is a powerful toxin, harmful to people and birds. Only buy nuts from a reputable dealer, who can guarantee that the nuts are free from aflatoxin.”