Feeding Wild Birds

Birds Australia Southern Queensland Information Sheet 26/04/2006

The feeding of wild birds has been a contentious issue in Australia, with many professionals opposing the practice. Yet the majority of bird lovers do feed birds.

 

Against: the disadvantages

Feeding of wild birds may lead to larger, aggressive and introduced species being advantaged, to the potential detriment of smaller, specialised and declining species.

Seeds of non-native species may be dispersed.

Birds dependant on the artificial feeding may suffer if it is interrupted by the householder’s holiday.

Artificial foods may result in an unbalanced and unhealthy diet.

Artificial foods during the breeding season (bread, kitchen scraps, seeds, nuts) may cause choking in young birds.

 

For: the advantages

Interest in, knowledge about, and love of birds may be increased, thus fostering support for conservation measures.

In a highly modified urban environment feeding need not be detrimental, as the bird community is already highly altered.

Artificial feeding may have a place in management plans for threatened species.

 

Preferred Practice

In the suburbs:

Design and plant a garden that contains a wide range of flowering trees and shrubs as well as other habitat components (native grasses, a pond, leaf litter, logs, etc.). Not all birds need nectar – remember the insect eaters, the seed eaters, the fruit eaters, the scavengers. Some birds feed on the ground; some in low shrubs; others in the high canopy.

If you can keep it ‘natural’, a greater range of bird species will be catered for; more ‘natural’ foraging techniques and strategies will be used: and the smaller, more specialised species may be helped.

The effects on other wildlife will also be positive, with the ‘habitat’ becoming more self-sustaining as greater numbers and diversity of invertebrates, reptiles and other wildlife begin to respond to the variety of native plants and other features in the garden.

In the country

There are 6 guiding principles for a bird-friendly landscape. Refer Birds of the Darling Downs a land managers Guide available from the Landcare Discovery Centre, Toowoomba.

The principles are inter-related and work together to achieve maximum available habitat for birds and other wildlife within a productive agricultural landscape.

1. The bigger the patch, the better it is for birds and other wildlife… but small remnants are better than no remnants at all.
2. Well-connected habitat patches assist bird movement and ensure long-term survival.
3. Maintain, enhance or re-establish areas of complex habitat – the K.I.M.M. principle. (Keep it messy, mate!)
4. Retain hollow trees and stags in a mixed age stand.
5. Manage grazing and fire to minimize impacts on native pastures and woodlands.
6. Control introduced animal predators.

 

Best Practices for Feeding Wild Birds

If you do choose supplementary feeding of birds, there are a number of things you can do to minimize harm to the birds and yourself (from An Introductory Guide to Feeding Wild Birds by Michelle Plant).

Feed

Provide fresh, clean, quality feed that is nutritionally balanced for the birds you attract.

It is important to note that an excessive quantity of sunflower seeds (found in most parrot seed mixes) can cause obesity and related illnesses. 

Bread and other human foodstuffs are not appropriate for birds and can cause harm. 

Feed storage

Maintain fresh supplies through appropriate (air tight/waterproof) storage.  Ensure equipment being used does not allow droppings to contaminate the feed, and acts to limit waste feed and droppings from falling and collecting on the ground. 

Waste collecting on the ground below a feeder can encourage the spread of disease from bird to bird – it is also potentially harmful to people coming into contact with faeces (even when dried).

Stainless steel feeding dishes are the best to use, as they are non-porous and are easily sterilised.  This acts to ensure the feeder does not harbor dangerous bacteria.  (A stainless steel bowl can easily be secured inside most feeders to ensure a hygienic feeding dish is offered to the birds; then removed for cleaning.)

Quantity

Limit bird feeding time to an interval of approximately 15 minutes.   Place 1/3 cup of feed out for the birds, once a day – either in the morning or in the afternoon. 

It is important to remove any left over feed as it can become contaminated or may attract more aggressive birds to the feeder.

Water

If offering water, ensure the supply is fresh and equipment is kept clean.  Clean equipment thoroughly and replenish the supply twice a week.

Hygiene

Maintain a high level of hygiene.  Some illnesses such as salmonellosis, campylobacterosis and psittacosis can be passed between birds or from birds to humans.  By keeping your equipment and feeding area clean, and always washing your hands, the chances of becoming ill will be minimised. 

Cleaning equipment (including feeding and water dishes)

Scrub all feeding equipment (using household detergent), then soak for 10 minutes in a solution of 1:9 household bleach to water (made fresh), followed by a thorough rinse and dry.  (Refer to manufacturers instructions for safe chemical use.)  Keep feeding equipment well away from household eating areas including kitchen sink and foodstuffs.)

Risks

Ensure that by attracting birds you are not exposing them or yourself to unnecessary risks.  Offer feed in a clean area that is safe from traffic and predatory birds. 

Sick or dead birds

Very sick or dead birds should be handled with caution.  Use protective gloves and a mask.  Dead birds can be disposed of in two layers of sealed plastic bags.

Any frequent/large occurrences of dead birds should be reported to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

Observe the effects of your feeding

Care must be taken to ensure that problems are not initiated because of offering the birds feed.  For example, birds can be drawn into areas where they might be at higher risk of being preyed upon.  Some more aggressive birds can take advantage of feeding sites and become a nuisance.  Do not create a nuisance for the neighbours.

 

Further information:  

“Living with Wildlife – Birds” by Michelle Plant (in press).

Birds Australia Policy   http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/issues-response/policies-and-positions.html

Birds in Backyards http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/ 

Bird Flu http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/issues-response/policies-and-positions.html

Psittacosis http://access.health.qld.gov.au/hid/InfectionsandParasites/BacterialInfections/psittacosis_fs.asp

Salmonellosis http://www.health.qld.gov.au/ph/Documents/cdb/12224.pdf