Feeding birds in the winter is an important hobby to many. It benefits the birds being fed, but it can also spread disease among the birds and attract rats.

Feeding birds is only allowed during the winter, and you can only feed them with the permission of the owner of the property.  A housing company can decide by themselves if they allow feeding birds on their property. 

If you want to feed birds, take care that it does not cause harm to other animals or people.  Controlling pests such as rats is the responsibility of the property owner.  Prevent them from accessing the bird feeder.  
 

Feeding birds on public city property is prohibited

Feeding the birds is prohibited at the city centre, parks, nature reserves, and on City property in general. Outside the city centre in smaller park forests, you can get a permit for small scale, correctly managed, bird feeding from the environmental protection of the City of Turku.

How to feed the birds correctly

  • You can start feeding the birds when the ground is frozen or covered in snow.  Keep feeding them until the ground unfreezes.  Do not feed the birds, if the ground is not frozen. 
  • Do not feed the birds during their nesting season. It can cause developmental issues with the babies as their mother only gives them food provided by humans which may not have the nutrients they need and is not organic insect feed. 
  • Use automatic or other type of bird feeders where the birds cannot defecate into the feed.
  • Clean up the feed that has dropped to the ground and other litter regularly.  They attract rats and spread disease among the birds. 
  • Clean and disinfect the bird feeder’s parts regularly, especially if you spot sick looking birds near the feeding spot. 
  • The feed must be intended for birds.  Human food scraps, bread for example, is not nourishment recommended for birds.