Is It OK To Feed Birds?

I regularly write about why it’s a bad idea to feed foxes, chipmunks and other wildlife. Yet I also write about the joys of backyard birds, and their importance as ambassadors of nature.

This dichotomy recently piqued my interest. And with some 59 million Americans feeding wild birds in their yards, it started to feel like a pressing question: Is it OK to feed the birds?

To uncover the answer, I asked two experts: Emma Ilena Greig, Ph.D., project leader at Cornell Lab’s Project FeederWatch; and Mary Phillips, head of Garden for Wildlife and certified wildlife habitat programs at the National Wildlife Federation. Here’s what they said.

Is It Safe To Feed Birds?

Generally, yes, but bird feeders can create hazardous conditions. To keep birds safe:

• Keep cats indoors, or build a catio. For more predator protection, keep feeders at least 10 feet from shrubs and brush piles.
• Add elements on and near your windows, like mobiles, reflectors and fruit tree netting, to prevent collisions.
• Clean feeders regularly to prevent the spreading of diseases and fostering mold.
• Remove feeders when there are disease outbreaks or persistent cats and hawks. A feeder with a roof can deter hawk attacks, too.
• Periodically rake or sweep under the feeder to keep the area clean.
• Store seeds in secured containers in cool, dry locations so they don’t get moldy or rancid.
• Avoid using suet in hot weather, when it can turn rancid. Plus, dripping fat can damage bird feathers.
• Avoid garden and yard pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
• Never feed wild birds outside of your yard, especially imperiled species.

As for us humans, feeding birds is safe for us, aside from a few hassles. “Birds are messy and can flick seeds and shells on the ground,” says Phillips. “This can cause weeds or attract mice and squirrels.”

What Should I Feed the Birds?

That depends on the species and the season. Observe your local bird population, plus plan special meals for seasonal migrators, like orioles and hummingbirds.

In general, many birds like blends with sunflower seeds, millet and cracked corn.

“Birds that prefer sunflower seeds often consume them eagerly, discarding millet and corn to the ground,” says Phillips. “This will create a feast for ground-feeding birds like sparrows and juncos. For woodpeckers, nuthatches and titmice, find a mixture containing peanuts, nuts and dried fruit.”

Avoid seed mixes heavy on red milo. “This is an inexpensive seed that most birds don’t like and is used as a filler in cheaper mixes,” says Greig. “If you buy it, most of it will just end up on the ground.”

To further create an inviting space for an array of species, use a variety of seeds in different feeders. Place feeders around the yard at different heights. Also, start each winter with fresh seed. Old seed can be less nutritional and tasty, especially if it gets overheated during the summer.

Does Feeding the Birds Make Them Dependent?

Probably not. “Birds are evolutionarily inclined to continuously explore a diverse range of foods to ensure their survival and not become too dependent upon a single food source,” says Phillips.

And despite their versatility, birds really can benefit from feeders, especially during snowstorms and periods of food scarcity.

Is It OK To Feed Ducks and Geese at Lakes and Ponds?

No.

“Feeding ducks and geese at lakes and ponds is often discouraged because the types of foods people offer in these situations tend to be unhealthy for birds, such as processed breads and crackers,” says Greig. “Also, people sometimes don’t like congregations of waterfowl, because they are large birds and their droppings can be a bit messy.”

Adds Phillips: “Waterfowl will naturally keep a safe distance from humans. Feeding them can make them lose their fear of us and, in some situations, cause geese to attack. A better approach is encouraging local parks to plant natives and observe these creatures from a distance with binoculars.”

Is It OK To Feed the Birds?

Yes, with caveats.

“There is no single answer to the question of is it OK to feed birds,” says Greig. “The truth is that it’s complicated and there is a lot we don’t know.

“Generally, if you provide healthy food and a safe environment and there are no disease outbreaks happening in your area, it is a harmless activity. However, there may be times that it would be better to remove feeders, such as when there are disease outbreaks or if you have an outdoor cat that lives at your home.”

Greig and Phillips emphasize the importance of also giving birds natural food sources. Plant native plants and create a safe, chemical-free wildlife-friendly habitat with plenty of host plants for caterpillars.

Phillips also recommends the following:

• Include flowers like coneflower and black-eyed Susans, which produce seed heads in fall and winter, plus house protein-filled insects in their stalks. Find ones for your zip code through National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder.
• Plant native trees and bushes that produce berries, like spicebush or chokeberry. These will attract cardinals, juncos, waxwings and mockingbirds during the chilly season. Find those at Garden for Wildlife.
• Check out Wild Birds Unlimited’s advice for supplying the right seed for where you live, and get your yard registered as a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

About the Experts

• Emma Ileana Greig is the team leader of Project FeederWatch, a major citizen science program at the Cornell Lab. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and has studied birds in Australia, Malaysia and Hawaii.
• Mary Phillips leads the National Wildlife Federation‘s Garden for Wildlife and Certified Wildlife Habitat programs. As an ambassador for nature, she keeps habitat gardening programs flourishing with sustainable practices and ever-evolving scientific knowledge.