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Discussion: To feed birds or not to feed birds?
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LSmitheringale |
To feed birds or not to feed birds?
May 2 2009, 3:10 AM EDT
| Post edited: May 2 2009, 8:56 AM EDT
My husband and I feed the native birds in our garden and as a result it has enabled me to get very close to them with my camera. It is probably not a good idea to feed the birds as they become reliant on us and if we were to move, it would cause them distress. I was told by a wildlife ranger at the Currumbin Sanctuary that we Aussies kill our wildlife with kindness and she suggested not to feed them so that their stomachs are full - this should encourage them to still be able to feed for themselves. What do you think?
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feeding birds
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__nut__ |
1. RE: To feed birds or not to feed birds?
May 7 2009, 10:11 AM EDT
There are a number problems, including disease, associated with feeding native birds or encouraging them to move away from their natural foraging and diet. It is generally considered a bad idea. It should be approached with caution.
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LSmitheringale |
2. RE: To feed birds or not to feed birds?
May 9 2009, 7:12 PM EDT
"There are a number problems, including disease, associated with feeding native birds or encouraging them to move away from their natural foraging and diet. It is generally considered a bad idea. It should be approached with caution."Yes, nut, you are right so all you nature lovers out there, don't follow my bad example and do not feed the birds! Do you find this valuable? |
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__nut__ |
3. RE: To feed birds or not to feed birds?
May 10 2009, 1:52 AM EDT
I don't think it is a no go area, just be aware of the potential issues and adjust your habit to mitigate such problems. :o)
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roughbarked |
4. RE: To feed birds or not to feed birds?
May 20 2009, 7:55 PM EDT
| Post edited: May 20 2009, 7:56 PM EDT
Generally speaking the native birds of Australian cities and towns have to alter their diet, due to the loss of their native habitat. Yes it is true that roads and houses cover what used to be the natural supermarket. Different trees now stand where food plants used to stand. So the birds must needs rethink what to eat. In many instances we provide them with new fruits, nuts and seeds. An example is that I have Major Mtchells, Mallee ringnecked parrots, magpies, butcherbirds, ravens and White winged choughs all eating my walnuts. I am happy to share. I don't have to feed them. I just enjoy watching them. Same with the persimmon tree, I can site there on a winters morn in the sun and observe every bird that is in my locale because they all sample the fruit or the insects associated. Even down to the fact that mistletoe birds have planted Harlequin mistletoe on the persimmon tree. I can observe variegated blue wrens, grey fantails and red capped robins dancing among fallen apples catching insects.So one doesn't need to feed the birds if one has food in the garden. I've observed Mallee ringnecked parrots come back from virtual extinction in this area.. In town they even eat the seeds of plane trees. Do you find this valuable? |
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LSmitheringale |
5. RE: To feed birds or not to feed birds?
Jul 26 2009, 6:39 AM EDT
Refer to this page which is interesting. http://australianwildlife.wetpaint.com/page/Feeding+Wildlife
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jewels62 |
6. RE: To feed birds or not to feed birds?
Tuesday, 4:12 AM EST
| Post edited: Tuesday, 4:13 AM EST
"Refer to this page which is interesting. http://australianwildlife.wetpaint.com/page/Feeding+Wildlife"I am new to this site and find this topic very interesting, I live in North East Victoria and have done for the last 12 years, when we moved here, we didnt have one bird on our property, which saddened me, so one day, I threw some mince out for several days and after a week one magpie turned up, then another and another, then after three years a kookaburra turned up , so fed him too, then another kookaburra turned up , and these 2 birds mated and had 2 young, which was beautiful to see, it has taken 6 years for these kookaburras to increase their numbers to 6 , which isnt many, then one day a blue wren was seen on our lawn , and they too have stayed and mated several times during Spring,, these young birds have moved on to find their own territory, all our neighbours have got blue wrens in their gardens and are thrilled to bits, they do not feed them, we all live on farm land and there hasnt been any birds around here for years, , so I feel I have done something special here, we have been in severe drought for 10 long years, and there has been no food around for these birds, once you would walk in the paddocks and you see stick insects, all sorts of beetles hundreds of grass hoppers, but now you see nothing, when it rains all these birds go and look for natural food and we are lucky to see one waiting to be fed, so I think feeding birds is a great thing to do, within reason, I would not feed the birds if there was enough natural feed around, but there isnt , we have 2 King parrots that visit us and sit by front door when they want food .but only seem to come when their other food scource has run out, its quite amazing . Water is another thing , I always have water out for birds, and I think that is more important to the birds here than the food at the moment. I am pleased with what I have achieved with feeding birds. Do you find this valuable? |
