Robins are often considered the friendliest bird in the UK, but leaving out the wrong food can really harm their health in spring.16:00, 24 May 2026Updated 16:00, 24 May 2026Robins are widely regarded as the friendliest birds in the UK, famously following people about or even eating from their palms once they've built up a bit of trust. Attracting robins is generally considered fairly straightforward, and late spring presents the ideal opportunity to entice them into your garden — provided you understand how to feed them correctly.‌Many people simply toss any kitchen scraps out into the garden for birds, but this can actually cause them harm and, in serious cases, even prove fatal to our feathered companions. Jaymi Heimbuch from Better with Birds is urging people to exercise greater caution and to avoid leaving out bread for robins or any other birds altogether.‌She said: "Some foods are a big no-no for robins. Bread [is] basically junk food for birds-fills them up with no nutritional value."‌Why shouldn't you feed robins bread?Putting out stale bread for birds is a widespread practice, but it can prove harmful, especially in spring when young robins start foraging in gardens.Late May marks the height of breeding season for UK birds, with most currently nesting, feeding chicks, or tending to fledglings preparing to depart the nest.‌During this period, robins particularly require abundant protein-rich foods, as adults need substantial energy reserves to nourish their young, while chicks are developing rapidly and therefore require greater nutrients.Carbohydrates such as bread offer robins very few vital nutrients but can leave them feeling full, which may result in them spending less time searching for the food they genuinely require.‌This can lead to poor nutrition in adult birds, while in young robins, it can hinder proper growth and diminish their chances of survival once they leave the nest.Bread will also go mouldy extremely quickly when left outdoors, which can transmit diseases among birds, and even a tiny amount can seriously harm baby chicks.How to feed robins so they visit your gardenIf you want to support robins, then the very best thing to do is head to a local pet shop and purchase mealworms, which are packed with the proteins they require to remain healthy during spring.‌It will also greatly benefit robins if you plant wildflowers or allow part of your lawn to grow longer, as this will draw more insects into your garden for them to hunt.However, if purchasing bird food isn't an option, you can also offer robins leftover fruit, provided you chop it into small pieces so they can digest it easily.‌Jaymi said: "To attract robins, offer appropriate food sources such as fruits and mealworms, and ensure you provide natural food options."Robins will adore apples, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries, but ensure they've been chopped up — otherwise, birds can choke on them.You can also give robins raisins, but as they're a hard fruit, make certain to soak them in water first, or they'll find them difficult to eat.Article continues belowMaking the effort to feed robins is a wonderfully generous gesture, and by leaving out the correct foods, you're likely to be rewarded with plenty of visits from these beloved red-breasted birds throughout the warmer months ahead.