How to Feed Native Birds in Your Garden

Aug 23

Support native birds and enjoy the magic of tūī, Bellbirds, Silvereyes and more right in your own garden.

Feeding wild birds is one of the simplest ways to turn your garden into a magical space. It helps native birds thrive while giving you the joy of connecting with local wildlife.

Here’s how to feed NZ native birds safely, what to avoid, and which Kohab feeders are designed to suit New Zealand birds best.

Silveryeye (tauhou) are a popular NZ native bird, find out more about them in Kohab Life.

What Not to Feed Garden Birds

Firstly, let’s look at what foods to avoid, as they will do more harm than good. Avoid:

Bread fills birds’ tummies up, but doesn’t provide them with good nutrition
Milk or sweet dairy is hard to digest and can make them sick
Honey water can spread bee disease and be harmful to bird populations
Seeds and grains aren’t eaten by NZ native birds, they will attract non-native species

Which Feeder Suits Which Bird?

Tue enjoying kohab nectar on kohab bird feeder — Tūī & Bellbirds (korimako)

**What they eat:** Nectar and Fruit
**Best feeder:** Kohab Bird Feeder – designed especailly for the big NZ Tūī. It is a platform feeder, just add a bowl for nectar.

Find out more

two Silvereye sitting on a kohab feeder eating kiwi fruit — Silvereyes (Tauhou)

**What they eat:** Fruit, nectar, insects
**Best feeder:** The **Kohab Metal Bird Feeder** range is perfect for small clinging birds. And as it’s made of corten steel, it looks great too.

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Fantail (piwakawaka) and Grey Warbler (riroriro)

**What they eat:** Small insects
**Best feeder:** Fantail and Grey Warbler won’t each from a feeder. The Fantail only catch insects on the wing (as they fly). And the Grey Warbler forages in bushes and trees.
But you can support both of these species by planting native trees and keeping some leaf litter in your garden.

Kohab bird feeding branch with an apple on ot — Kohab Branch Bird Feeder

If you don’t have trees in your garden to hang feeders from then Kohab has the answer - the Kohab Branch Bird Feeder. This corten steel branch easily attaches to a fence or wall and provides branches to hang feeders from or spikes to skewer fruit on.

Find out more

Safe Feeding Practices

Keep it clean and wash feeders regularly to prevent the spread of disease. Read now: How to clean your birdfeeder.
Choose a safe position to place your feeders where cats and predators can’t reach them, and with shrubs or trees nearby for cover. Read now: Best place to put a bird feeder.
Add fresh water in a shallow dish of clean water will help birds drink and bathe. Read now: 5 tips on setting up a birdbath.

Feeding birds is about balance – offering healthy food to subsidise their diet to help them thrive. Always remember to feed them safe food, to keep feeders clean, and make your garden safe from predators, and in no time at all, you will be surrounded by the magic of birdlife.

Read now: 8 Kitchen Leftovers to Feed Your Garden Birds