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The guidelines for supplying drinking water to wildlife apply to all species. The following food rules change according to species.

Seed mixes, Insectivore powder, kangaroo pellets and nectar mixes for honeyeaters can be obtained from vets, pet shops and online. Good dog biscuits and rolls can be purchased in supermarkets.

TVWC is currently exploring the possibility of supplying wildlife food to designated members of the public to create feeding stations in areas of greatest habitat loss.

Common Ringtails

PossumsIf they are on a roof or in a tree in the sun, spray with a fine mist from a hose. You can give them water to drink as above. Impale chunks of banana, grapes, apple, pears, pumpkin and sweet potato on twigs in trees. Do not place food on the ground for possums as this will expose them to predators.

Antechinus and BandicootsThese little carnivores eat the same food as insectivorous birds. Scatter dog food loosely amongst leaf litter.

Birds in GeneralStations are placed out of the reach of cats and other predators, are cleaned daily and food removed after an hour (less if you are using a nectar mix as they spoil quickly). Vary the time of day in which you provide the food.

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DiseaseDisease transition is a real risk with bird feeding and there have been outbreaks of illness overseas linked to bird feeders. Keep the feeding area clean, scrubbing daily using a bleach solution or a specific wildlife disinfectant. Our parrots in particular can spread Psittacine beak and feather disease. If you do have parrots visiting who don’t seem right, contact TVWC as the bird needs to be captured because this is the only way to keep the disease from spreading.

 Bread is just a filler and has no nutritional value. Specific Bird FeedingYou can tell what a bird eats by looking at its beak.

Granivores These are relatively small birds with short beaks. They eat seeds, fruits, buds, flowers, nectar and insects. Do not feed parrots sunflower seed as it is too high oily. Use good quality seed mixes because the cheaper supermarket seed mixes are high in chaff and do not contain sufficient nutritional

elements to properly feed birds.

Eastern Rosella

Honey Eaters have long and thin beaks to probe flowers for nectar Honey/water mixes do not provide the complex sugars that a bird would get from the nectar of a flower. Do not feed bread as it can damage their beaks. Buy nectar mix as above.

Scarlet Honey Eater

Frugivores. Hang chunks of fruit from branches for birds like this top knot pigeon.

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Insectivores and CarnivoresMince lacks nutrients that carnivorous birds would normally obtain from their natural diet of insects and the fur and bone of small mammals. Huge problems can arise if the adult birds raise their young on this diet as the juvenile birds can suffer from brittle bones due to insufficient calcium. Mince can also stick to the beaks of birds like Kookaburras and Tawny Frogmouths, leading to bacterial infection. Use dry dog food or dog roll instead as these are the best alternatives currently available. Supplement with an insectivore

mix which can be bought from pet shops or vets.

MacropodsUse macropod pellets scattered at dawn and dusk.

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