Friday Five: Backyard Bird Feeding
Many people have bird feeders in their gardens or attached to their windowsills, especially in the winter months, but some people feel that bird feeders are not such a good idea. There are reasons for and reasons against using bird feeders of course. Here’s a look at some of the issues surrounding bird feeders. What do you think? Are bird feeders a good idea or not?
1. Bird feeders make birds dependent.
Bird feeders are a reliable source of food and birds will return day after day. A bird feeder is probably not the sole source of food however, and if birdseed is not available birds will search elsewhere. This is one very good reason to create backyard wildlife habitats.
2. Bird feeders spread disease.
Improperly maintained bird feeders may contribute to the spread of disease in birds but there’s an easy solution: Keep the bird feeder clean. For the record, it doesn’t appear that any conclusive studies have been done on the subject.
3. Bird feeders encourage cats and other predators to kill birds.
Is it the bird feeder’s fault or the cat owner? Or is it simply a part of the natural order of the animal world?
4. Bird feeders encourage participation in the natural world.
For many people bird feeders are a connection to wildlife–it may be the only one they have. Yes, it’s for their personal enjoyment, but it may also make them more aware of the environment around them. And that’s a good thing.
5. Tainted birdseed and other bird food.
With the recent reports of tainted pet foods and products manufactured overseas, it’s important to know where birdseed comes from. Rather than purchase birdseed try making your own suet balls or place a few of birds’ favorite foods in the bird feeder like sunflower seeds, berries, cracked corn, and millet.
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