Goldfinch populations have increased significantly in the UK, partly due to garden feeding, and the welfare benefits and risks of supplementary feeding for wild birds merit careful consideration.
Garden feeding provides real welfare benefits for individual birds that gain access to calorie-dense food in cold weather. However, poorly maintained feeders create disease transmission risks that can cause painful illness and death in fed populations. Trichomonosis, which causes throat lesions that prevent swallowing, is spread at bird feeders and has caused significant finch mortality. The welfare calculus of garden feeding is positive when feeders are maintained to high hygiene standards but potentially negative when feeders are dirty and disease spreads. Responsible supplementary feeding requires regular cleaning as a non-negotiable welfare practice.