Species at the bird table

There are several factors that determine what kinds of birds can visit your bird table. In the UK there are more than 30 species that will show up at or close to the tables.

What bird will visit the bird table depends on a number of factors. We will only briefly mention a few of these here.

What kind of bird feeder

The same kind of bird that frequents bird tables will not necessarily be at hanging seed dispensers. If you have ever watched how birds sit while they eat you will most likely have noticed that some can cling on and eat at the same time and even hang from a ball of tallow. Many species have claws made for sitting flat on the ground. Tits have an easy time eating from a hanging position while others, such as robins and thrushes, need a plane surface to be able to sit comfortably.

This is why we need both dispensers the birds can cling to and bird tables for the rest of the small birds. Feeding straight off the ground would on the one hand be appreciated by certain species but on the other hand they would make easy prey for cats. A bird table therefore makes for a safe platform that raises the feeding spot out of the predators’ reach.
We have a wide range of bird feeders to suit any style and layout of garden. See all our feeders here.

Types of seed and fodder?

What kind of food you put out determines which bird will visit your table. Read our bird feeding guide to find out what our most common birds eat.

Where do you live?

The guests at your bird table can vary depending on where you live and if birds overwinter in your area. During milder winters in southern parts of the UK it is sometimes possible for berry-eating birds such as bohemian waxwings and thrushes to overwinter.