Bird feeders could be bad news for local birds. Find out why
Tuesday, May 5, 2015, 11:06 AM - You might think you're helping your local birds by setting up feeders in your yard, but a new study suggests that may not be the case.
After taking a closer look at the ecological effects of bird feeders, Dr. Josie Galbraith found that the activity is having a major impact on bird community patterns observed in urban areas.
"[We demonstrated] that common feeding practices can encourage higher densities of introduced birds, with potential negative consequences for native birds," the study said.
Galbraith was curious why urban areas around the world attracted so many non-native birds like pigeons and sparrows.
In Auckland, where the study took place. house sparrows and pigeons were up to 3.5 times more common in homes with feeders than those without. Meanwhile the grey warbler, a native species, was affected negatively by the popular activity.
While the presence of some extra sparrows doesn't seem like a major problem, the downstream effects of the shift in bird populations could affect seed distribution as well as the location where some insects become more or less prevalent. More research is necessary before the extent of the changes can be quantified.
"But when you consider how many people are feeding birds around the world," Galbraith told Wired. "It's really an unprecedented global experiment."
Feeders also pose some additional risks to visiting birds. House pets like cats can often reach the feeders if they aren't placed high enough. "If your cat catches a bird, it's not just one bird that is dying. There's going to be a nest of babies that will starve to death," naturalist Anne Nightingale told the CBC. "There's going to be a nest of babies that will starve to death."
Cleanliness at time can be just as dangerous as the average cat when it comes to birds. Dirty windows allow birds to see the glass and avoid flying into it.
Some helpful tips
In the U.S. an approximate 7.1 million people have feeders in their yards. While many conservation experts do suggest having one to help migrating birds quickly find food, the key is to be smart about setting up the area in a way that will help them and not hurt them.
"If we can shift people from thinking about feeding birds to thinking about mimicking habitat," ornithologist Steve Kress told Wired. "then we're really doing something good for birds. "
- Make sure the habitat contains food and nesting materials for the birds to access depending on their needs.
- Having plants also means that insects are nearby which provide a protein-rich meal to certain birds.
- Additionally, baby birds require food like insects to grow their feathers.
- Planting trees is also key. Eastern Red Cedar attracts birds like mockingbirds, waxwings, robins and crows.
- If you do have feeders, make sure to scrub them clean at least twice a year. Otherwise you could be contributing to birds catching salmonella, trichomoniasis, aspergillosis, and avian pox.
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