It might be the bold colour of their plumage, their plump little bodies or simply the fact they're inextricably linked to the magic of Christmas – whatever the reason, there's something inexplicably uplifting about catching that flash of red as a robin hops into view in your garden.
So it's perfectly understandable – necessary, even – to want to tempt these little birds closer. And fortunately, there are plenty of ways to do just that.
As winter strips forests and fields of natural food, robins and other species increasingly rely on gardens for their meals – and our kitchen cupboards are full of things they'll happily eat.
One of the most useful is a store-cupboard staple that we'll wager almost everyone has to hand: pasta. (If you've somehow run out, you can pick up a packet for around 60p at most supermarkets.)
According to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), robins, among other birds, will gladly tuck into penne, fusilli and other pasta shapes, alongside a variety of everyday kitchen scraps.
There is just one catch: unlike seeds or peanuts, pasta needs to be cooked first. Offered dry, it's simply too hard for small birds to manage and potentially harmful as it expands in their stomach.
Prepare it plainly, without salt, butter, oil or seasoning, and chop it into tiny, bite-sized pieces. Served this way, pasta provides an easy, energy-rich source of carbohydrates.
However, pasta should only be fed as a supplement rather than as a main source of food. "Birds do need variety in their diets, just like us. So a balanced supply of food is the best approach," a spokesperson for the RSPCA tells Country Living.
"High protein is good in the summer, while fat balls are a good source of energy during the colder months. Cooked, unsalted pasta can be a good addition to this."
When you dish up your homemade meal, remember to serve some fresh, clean water as well, while making sure everything stays clean.
"Many garden birds die each year through the transmission of diseases, so it's important to clean all water containers daily and feeders weekly, drying them before refilling," the RSPCA writes in the feeding guide.
Finally, if you're feeding birds in the garden, help keep them safe from predators, such as free-roaming cats, by placing feeders high, shielded and out of reach. Also, avoid scattering food directly on the ground wherever possible.
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Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
