Dr Jim Reynolds, lecturer in Ornithology at the University of Birmingham, is studying whether feeding the birds increases or decreases their chances of survival.
So far the survey suggests the birds tend to use the additional food for snacks, but still rely on natural stocks of food.
However, it also appears they spend more time protecting their territory around the bird feeder, which means they have less time to raise their young.
More research is still needed until conclusive results are reached, so the advice for now is to continue to feed the birds in your garden.
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