Do birds rely on bird feeders?

Do birds rely on bird feeders? Is feeding birds harmful? The short answer from The National Audubon Society and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (two reputable organizations in the U.S. birding and conservation community) is no, bird feeders are not harmful.

Studies have shown that many species benefit from the extra food from bird feeders, especially during harsh winter weather. Improper care of bird feeders and surrounding areas however, can spread harmful disease due to many individuals clustering together in one location. Watch out for the most common contagious diseases: Salmonella, House Finch Eye Disease, and Avian Pox. Take proper action to clean feeders and the ground below if you notice any of these diseases among your feathered visitors.

Two short articles that explain in more detail are linked below. Both have valuable information and will give a good overall understanding of this topic.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Do Bird Feeders Help Or Hurt Birds?

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/analysis-do-bird-feeders-help-or-hurt-birds/

The National Audubon Society: To Feed, or not to feed.

http://www.audubon.org/news/to-feed-or-not-feed

Problems with nocturnal wildlife

Many nocturnal wildlife species may be drawn to your yard in search of bird food remnants. If this becomes a problem, the best preventative measure is to minimize any bird food left on the ground overnight.

A few ideas:

- Use catch trays under seed feeders.

- Feed sunflower hearts/chips so that no shells are scattered under the feeder.

- Switch to feeding finches nyjer seed (aka: thistle), which mammals don't like.

- Only use hummingbird feeders and suet feeders (no seed feeders), so that minimal food gets on the ground.

- Consider using premium seed that will all be consumed (i.e. sunflower hearts) rather than "wild bird seed" which contains cheaper ingredients like red milo and cracked corn, which only a few species (such as doves) will eat.

- Fill feeders or scatter ground seed in the morning, so that birds have a chance to eat it all before nightfall. 

- Bring feeders inside at night.

Gray Foxes scavenging for leftover "wild bird mix" seed.