One common food people leave out for birds is actually harmful

Some birds can get sick if you're not careful (Image: Getty)

During the chillier months, birds struggle to find natural food sources, leading many wildlife enthusiasts to lend a helping hand by providing food. However, Sean McMenemy, founder of Ark Wildlife, warns that one common mistake could be causing more harm than good.

Many people often leave out kitchen scraps for birds, but these can be detrimental to their health . Common items like bread, leftover scraps, or rice might seem beneficial, but they lack the essential fats and proteins birds need to stay healthy.

Despite being readily available, bread scraps are low in the vitamins necessary for birds to thrive during winter.

Moreover, bread products can cause illness in birds.

Stale or damp bread can develop mould, leading t