Birds and bird feeders, a controversial issue.

This little Pine Siskin is a bird rehabbers often see in winter and early spring. This little one died, most likely from Salmonella, as that is a frequent cause of death from bird feeders. It is hard to watch wildlife hungry during tough weather, and our hearts really want to help them out. Some things to keep in mind when deciding whether to feed or not are listed below. If you do feed birds, it is imperative to use non-wooden feeders that wont house mold spores, and to keep them very clean, using bleach and water frequently to kill pathogens. Humidity out there can quickly cause mold and bacteria to grow on birdseed, which can kill them with fungal diseases like Aspergillosis or bacterial diseases like Salmonella. Feeders spread disease quickly, as so many birds congregate there, if one is sick they can spread the disease to all who visit, as well as birds of prey that hunt these songbirds. Feeding stations can also alter migration habits, discourage foraging behaviors, and help bolder non-natives out-compete native species. They enable predators, like hawks and cats, to hunt songbirds more easily. We all need to be aware of those times when help becomes harm. It can be a difficult call to make. There are many organizations who have posted good information about how to make sure that your bird feeders are not doing harm. A few are linked, below: https://www.birdwatching-bliss.com/bird-diseases.html https://www.seattletimes.com/.../dont-let-your-bird.../ https://feederwatch.org/learn/sick-birds-and-bird-diseases/ https://www.audubon.org/news/to-feed-or-not-feed