Sunday's Column - November 8, 2009
Sunday's Column - November 8, 2009
Published: November 8, 2009
Feeding most wild animals is discouraged because the practice makes them dependent on humans. Yet feeding birds is accepted. Why the difference?
—B. Chafin, Decatur, Ga.
The sheer volume of food is huge. Birds are now fed by so many people that we are providing a feeding option that didn’t exist in the past. Concerns continue, but studies—though limited—s uggest that no harm is being done.
Still, birds must be fed carefully to avoid creating problems for other wildlife, and doing the right thing for the birds themselves can be tricky. Feeding varies with the species of bird, your locale, the time of year, etc. Check with your local Audubon chapter to learn more.
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