Birdfeeding

[ysabetwordsmith]

Today is mostly cloudy and sweltering. 

I fed the birds.  I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.  Bees are visiting the small metal birdbath again.

EDIT 7/6/25 -- It's raining, so I won't have to water anything today.  :D

Comments

I've been meaning to ask

[dialecticdreamer]

You are VERY invested in native plant species and minimizing the impact that humans have on the Earth. What's your analysis of feeding birds, in terms of the benefits to the birds compared to the attraction the feeders are for squirrels and other non-birds? How do you minimize the risk of the birds being preyed upon by cats, for example, and are there any special tips to keep birds from slamming into windows?

Way, way down the list is the possibility of feeders also creating points of contagion for bird illnesses, but the why questions are foundational, while the how questions are more about the fine details that support the base.

Please don't consider this an attack. I'm curious how you balance the ecology versus interference decisions, in part because I know that making the decision to add bird feeders of any kind are a commitment, not a one-and-done way to add curb appeal.

Re: I've been meaning to ask

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> You are VERY invested in native plant species and minimizing the impact that humans have on the Earth. <<

This is true.

>> What's your analysis of feeding birds, in terms of the benefits to the birds compared to the attraction the feeders are for squirrels and other non-birds? <<

It does a very small bit to make up for the massive loss of natural foods that humans have caused. Actually, my birds eat more from the yard -- insects, mulberries, etc. -- than from the feeders, but the feeders help give them a reliable source of high-energy food, especially in bad weather. I'm pretty sure that this particular flock of house finches is draining the feeders this summer to feed themselves, while harvesting caterpillars for their chicks. The squirrels do eat some of the sunflower seeds and corn, but their mainstay is the black walnuts.

>> How do you minimize the risk of the birds being preyed upon by cats, for example, <<

I don't. Nature is red in tooth and claw. Humans removed all large and most medium predators from this locale. Occasionally I see foxes, who will happily eat eggs and nestlings; skunks and possums; a weasel once; a mink or something similar once; but that's about it. We do have hawks and owls. Whatever predators are left have to do the best they can to fill in the gaps. Hence having rabbits out the wazoo.

We did have a particularly stupid litter of squirrels this summer, no self-preservation at all. At least three of those got eaten by something, which is good for the gene pool.

Interestingly, when I find feathered remains, they are almost always starling or house sparrow (overconfident invasive species) or mourning dove (dumb natives that spend much time on the ground). It's rare to see a native songbird killed by a predator.

Bear in mind that I live in central Illinois which used to have a lot more predators to maintain balance. On an island, or other fragile habitat, protecting native species from predators or invasive species is much more important.


>> and are there any special tips to keep birds from slamming into windows? <<

Obscure the flight path. Options include:

* Place bushes or trellises outside the window. Birds may land on them but will not try to flight right through them.

* For large picture windows, sliding doors, or other expanses of glass, add silhouettes of raptors. You can buy these as stickers or vinyl clings -- or just cut them out of black paper and tape them on. Some people have had good results from blinds or curtains too, if light enough that they don't create much reflection.

* Check the view path, and if necessary, close doors to eliminate a false flyway. In my house, there's a view from the south living room window to my north office window. Given the greenery, it's rarely a problem, but if I hear a bird pecking at either window I'll shut my office door. That shows them it's not a real flyway, and they go away.


>> Way, way down the list is the possibility of feeders also creating points of contagion for bird illnesses, but the why questions are foundational, while the how questions are more about the fine details that support the base.<<

That happens every time birds congregate at any food or water source, and bear in mind that it is no longer possible for birds to congregate in the millions like they used to. For most feeders and situations, the risk is negligible.

Exceptions:

* If you see more than one dead bird near your feeders / birdbaths, it's a good idea to empty and sterilize the equipment.

* If there is a massive outbreak of some avian disease in your area, you might consider taking down your offerings for a while.

* Certain foods, such as sugar water for hummingbirds, spoil fast and require more maintenance.

* Avoid shell-less sunflower seeds. They spoil very fast and the results are often lethal. This is a problem because "mess-free" seed blends always include them and so do many other blends. Read labels carefully.


>> Please don't consider this an attack. I'm curious how you balance the ecology versus interference decisions, <<

My primary support of birds is with habitat. They have loads of other stuff to eat, places to nest and shelter, and so on. I have a mini-ecosystem in my yard. That has a much bigger impact than the feeders, which are partly for my own amusement and partly backup to fill gaps left by the invasive species Homo sapiens.

My view of ecology is very different from most humans. I don't just look at species, I look at roles and functions, I look at connections, the web as a whole. So for instance, my prairie garden is a mishmash of plants that grew when we stopped mowing the area. Even in the lawn-grass areas, if they don't get mowed, critters quickly move in because "tall grass" is the defining feature of a prairie. Things will start nesting in it, even if it lacks native species.

With predators, look at hunting habits and diet. Housecats in North America can fill a gap left by bobcat and lynx kittens, foxes, weasels, and other small predators mostly wiped out by humans. Dogs can fill some of the gap left by wiping out wolves, most foxes and coyotes. They might take down some birds, but also a lot of rats, mice, rabbits, and other small things that breed rapidly.

I look at the habitat, its plants, its animals, the balance, whether something is growing out of control or getting wiped out. I am for diversity, for connections. Mostly that means native species. But my parisitoid wasps love the hell out of garlic chives and sedum, neither native. Since I want the wasps to prey on scarab beetles (e.g. junebugs and Japanese beetles) I plant more of the flowers they crave. I would rather do that than run around putting poison on beetles. Most humans would rather reach for the can.


>> in part because I know that making the decision to add bird feeders of any kind are a commitment, not a one-and-done way to add curb appeal. <<

Bird feeders have a lot of benefits for both humans and birds, and are a good idea in most locales. Humans have already ravaged the environment so much that it's very difficult to birds to survive, and if we lose birds, we are screwed in a lot of ways.

In particular, consider if you live near a park or other refuge. Feeding / watering stations can help wildlife "connect the dots" to travel between fragmented habitats. It's why my yard is so vital: there are some big habitat patches in the county, but out here, my yard is an oasis among monocrop fields. It helps wildlife travel by going from yard to yard.

Other options besides feeders:

* Water. It's much harder to find than food and will help all wildlife. Drop in a mosquito dunk, keep it full, and if too much algae forms then scrub it out.

* Habitat. Native flowers, bushes, trees, etc. provide cover, food, and nesting space. Right now it's mulberry season. If you see some on the ground, pick them up and put them in dirt along the edges of your yard. Probably some will sprout. Or you could just put up a perch for birds wherever you want bird plants to do, and the birds will provide seeds and fertilizer in one deposit.

* Shelter. A brushpile requires no maintenance after construction. A roost box, which looks similar to a birdhouse but has perches inside, doesn't require the kind of cleaning that is advisable for a nestbox.

Re: I've been meaning to ask

[ribirdnerd]

Well thought out reply!

I worry about local cats, but as you say there are many predators out there for local birds.

Re: I've been meaning to ask

[ysabetwordsmith]

The important thing is to check the natural predator-prey relationships. North American birds are adapted to cope with a large variety of crawling, running, pouncing, climbing, leaping, and even flying predators. They can cope with those. Slower, clumsier, or dumber individuals get eaten which improves the gene pool.

Same with squirrels. I was really glad to see proof that at least some of the idiot litter got eaten. And now when I go outside, any squirrel at the feeders will bolt away as normal.

Re: I've been meaning to ask

[priscilla_king]

Cats can clean out a brood of ground-nesting birds like grouse or plovers. I've brought mine inside, and warned other cat people to bring theirs inside, for the week or two it takes the babies to start flying. Other than that, if you see a cat playing with a bird that has feathers, the bird was already near death and the cat needs protection from contact with it. Try to scoop up the bird without touching it, wrap it in a few layers of paper or plastic, and burn it.

(In Virginia, where most birds are tree-nesting, anyway. The situation is completely different in Hawaii.)

Re: I've been meaning to ask

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>Cats can clean out a brood of ground-nesting birds like grouse or plovers.<<

So can snakes, skunks, possums, and foxes all of which we have around here. On a farm, mice or rats may go for it too. Which is why ground-nesting birds like killdeer, pheasants, etc. in the same habitat have evolved ways of coping with that.

As you said, it's different in Hawaii or other island habitats.