Feeding the birds that visit my patio gives me a lot of pleasure. I love watching them come and go, bicker with each other, bully smaller birds, and feed their young. I also enjoy hearing them, especially the House Wrens.
I have learned when they prefer to visit and when they are usually absent. I have also learned which bird species use my feeders and which species try to but are too big to make it work. In fact, I have learned a lot about birds in the few months I have been watching them.
The Hawk that visited twice to try and catch one of the wrens stayed just long enough to perch on my fence, but it hasn’t been seen since. I think it knew I was not a fan.
I am aware that there can be downsides to feeding birds, especially if you feed them the equivalent of junk food, so I made a point of going to the local experts at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store and asking for the best food for songbirds. The people who work there know a lot about local bird species and the most desirable seeds to feed them, and I am happy to take their advice.
It was suggested that it is important to try to catch the seed that falls from the feeder because otherwise it attracts mice and rats. Knowing that, I made a point of adding a tray to my feeder and it has eliminated that problem. I don’t see any seeds on the ground now.
I worried that making food so easy to get might change the birds’ feeding behaviours, so I checked online with the Audubon Society and Cornell Labs and they both provided articles that made me feel confident I was doing a good thing. Their only proviso was that the feeders should be regularly cleaned with a ten-percent non-chlorinated bleach solution. This is necessary to prevent the spread of diseases. Having so many birds together in such a small space makes the spread of disease more likely, so it behoves me to mitigate against that.
It turns out that having a bird feeder or two is not unlike having household pets; you have to clean up after them! The return on that investment, though, is profound because the birds provide me with endless entertainment and, now, more knowledge.
It costs somewhat more than the Tuppence a Bag that Julie Andrews sings about in Mary Poppins, but even so I concur with her words: “Come feed the little birds, show them you care, And you’ll be glad if you do.”
Snowbird of Paradise 
We had many bird feeders when we lived in our house. We purchased seed from the Wild Bird Store. I too was told that feeding birds made them dependent on humans, but the bird store staff assured me that I was just providing extra treats for them and no harm would be done. I loved watching them, especially the pileated woodpeckers. Here in our apartment we just get crows and magpies, who seem to delight in throwing dirt from my planters all over the balcony as they search for seeds. The little songbirds don’t seem to come up this high.
I, too, wondered about making them dependent on humans, but none of the sites I checked seemed to think that was an issue.
Have you tried a hummingbird feeder? I have been told they are effective up to the 18th floor of a high-rise here.
It is very windy up here so I wouldn’t chance it. Also, I’m pretty sure they don’t allow it in this building. I probably wouldn’t be consistent in changing the water either.
I think they still allow people to feed the birds in Trafalgar Square. You should go!
We have been talking about going London and Paris for our 50th anniversary next year! I never thought about feeding birds when I was there years ago.
It has been a long time since I was there, but I remember feeding pigeons out of my hand. If you go to London and cannot feed the birds, I hope you will not hold me a grudge.
Never!
🙂
Great information Anne. We have created something of a bird sanctuary here and I just love sitting out on our back deck and watching the blue birds, cardinals, robins, wrens and finches among others. My favorite are the purple martins. I wanted to get a purple martin bird house, but thought better of it. We have two bird houses and a nearby tree so we get to watch the nesting process and many of the baby birds each year. It’s lovely to watch and listen to them. My bird feeder needs cleaning and I need to find a way to keep the space below free from the rodent attracting debris.
Your backyard bird sanctuary sounds delightful, Sally!
The backyard bird store that I go to has several options for seed-catchers and some of them hook on to the feeder. They also come in various sizes.
I have a similar store near me that I will visit and will find the perfect item, and new bird seed. I bought my birdseed at Walmart and I am afraid it might be what you referred to as “junk food”. I should know all seeds are not created healthy, and I’m glad you mentioned it.
Sometimes the bird seed at the grocery store is filled with seed the local birds don’t eat, so it ends up on the ground.
So much learned here…bravo for investigating 🙂
Thanks, Judy. I have lots of spare time. 🙂
I have enjoyed providing water for our backyard birds. I leave foliage in the winter that provides seeds and bugs for them. I fed them the few days we had snow covering the ground.
I have always enjoyed seeing hawks, but now I feel protective of the songbirds. One day last summer I saw a hawk drinking out of the backyard water dish. It’s size was quite startling, and wasn’t sad that I didn’t see it again.
The first time I saw the hawk I was startled. It took me a while to realize it was after the songbirds. The second time it was more confident and lingered a while, but I haven’t seen it since then. They are magnificent birds, but I love my tiny visitors,