Some birds may accidentally smash into glass windows near feeders (though windows in tall buildings are greater collision hazards). Luring them to the same place on a predictable schedule makes them more vulnerable to predators, like cats and hawks. Drawing birds into close contact on shared surfaces makes it easy for them to spread bacteria like salmonella and E. Risks? What kinds of risks does backyard feeding pose to birds? Because if you are going to feed wild birds, following a few tips can help you reduce the risks to birds. Um, uh, well, the truth is: That depends. What’s the harm in my helping birds get through winter? Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. People see why more easily with some species than others. Image Details Teaching animals to expect handouts from humans is risky. Supplemental feeding can cause digestive problems for some animals (deer and rabbits, for example) and alter normal behaviors. Think: “bad” bears at campsites alligators stalking people. That’s because teaching wild animals to associate humans with handouts can lead to problems. In general, it’s bad practice to feed wild animals. Are you saying feeding birds raises ethical questions? There’s just one problem for bird lovers: how to square the popular practice with conservation ethics. In 2020, during the first months of the Covid pandemic, participation soared. With people largely stuck at home, bird seed and feeders flew off shelves. Feeding wild birds has been an American tradition for more than 100 years. Some 59 million Americans do the same, for the thrill of seeing cardinals, woodpeckers and nuthatches up close, right outside their windows. The photo was a winner in Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch contest Image Details A tufted titmouse grabs a seed from a holiday feeder.
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