Backyard bird photographers: is your feeder killing birds?

[Macroramphosis]

My mum, who was both an avid birder and old enough to have seen off Mr Hitler when she was a FANY (if you insist on sniggering that's fine), always told me that the only time to put food out for the birds about the house was when there was snow or ice on the ground. She never fed them the rest of the year. I think her advice was pretty sound, really. It's the way I've always fed my birds anyway.

And this Phocal fella - what does he know about bird feeders? He's never had to use one himself, he just photographs the birds on his neighbour's feeder. Perhaps even his neighbour's neighbour's feeder.

 

[Angus Gibbins]

always told me that the only time to put food out for the birds about the house was when there was snow or ice on the ground.

Australian version: during the peak of summer or when the east coast of the country's on fire.

 

[John King]

Australian version: during the peak of summer or when the east coast of the country's on fire.

Plenty of water bowls specially, Angus. The bees need them too, with a rock in the middle to help prevent bees drowning. Very necessary around swimming pools.

 

[Angus Gibbins]

Plenty of water bowls specially, Angus. The bees need them too, with a rock in the middle to help prevent bees drowning. Very necessary around swimming pools.

Yeah I always put (clean) rocks in them so small birds and bees don't drown.

Hanging bird feeders over bird baths, on the ground too, particularly if your neighbourhood has a lot of cats roaming about.

 

[John King]

Yeah I always put (clean) rocks in them so small birds and bees don't drown.

Hanging bird feeders over bird baths, on the ground too, particularly if your neighbourhood has a lot of cats roaming about.

Our cats have always been 24/7 indoors, but some cat owners are just bloody irresponsible.

 

[Angus Gibbins]

Our cats have always been 24/7 indoors, but some cat owners are just bloody irresponsible.

I'm not a cat person, but I respect other's rights to have a cat. But agreed, I have no time for people who let their cats be a nuisance.

I just moved, if I see cats around, I'm getting a(n RSPCA approved) trap and taking it to the pound. I want my place to be a safe space for native wildlife.

 

[John King]

I'm not a cat person, but I respect other's rights to have a cat. But agreed, I have no time for people who let their cats be a nuisance.

I just moved, if I see cats around, I'm getting a(n RSPCA approved) trap and taking it to the pound. I want my place to be a safe space for native wildlife.

I don't know the rules where you are, Angus, but cats are allowed outside here between an hour after sunrise to an hour before sunset.

 

[Angus Gibbins]

I don't know the rules where you are, Angus, but cats are allowed outside here between an hour after sunrise to an hour before sunset.

In Brisbane they're not allowed to be a nuisance any time day or night.

 

[John King]

Shame that the same rule doesn't apply to dogs ...

 

[RichardC]

I had no idea that legislation re cats was even a thing. We keep ours in, but only because we live on a busy road.

 

[Macroramphosis]

It's a good thing there is no legislation about Megalania. Imagine having to keep that thing on a leash. Sigh.

 

[PhotoCal]

Yeah I always put (clean) rocks in them so small birds and bees don't drown.

Hanging bird feeders over bird baths, on the ground too, particularly if your neighbourhood has a lot of cats roaming about.

Putting rocks in a bird bath is also a good idea. You want to discourage birds from bathing (and defacating) in the water, yet allow them to take a drink.

Encouraging birds to use natural sources for bathing (puddles and such) is healthier for the birds.

Also, having an overhang for feeders and water is beneficial so the birds can be somewhat sheltered from hawks, etc., when eating/bathing.

Otherwise, your feeder/bath is just acting as bait, and that could lead to the deaths of animals you are trying to attract.

Whenever I'm out birding/photographing birds I never stop unless I'm underneath cover. This serves two purposes:
1) keeps me in the shade, which is more enjoyable and offers protection againt skin cancer
2) Makes me less likely to divulge the location of a bird/nest to other animals that might eat a bird/egg.
Animals are smart. They will observe human behavior to help them find food. If you don't believe me, I suggest you visit your local park and watch pigeons/geese/squirrels approach humans.

 

[PakkyT]

Otherwise, your feeder/bath is just acting as bait, and that could lead to the deaths of animals you are trying to attract.

Exactly, this is how I get my best hawk photos. No hawk has died because of my bait bath, so I must be doing it right.

 

[relic]

I posted this link in the Birds thread previously, but I thought I'd re-post it here as it confirms some of the information presented above.
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium-04-21/index.html

 

[Angus Gibbins]

Also, having an overhang for feeders and water is beneficial so the birds can be somewhat sheltered from hawks, etc., when eating/bathing.

Hawks aren't really a problem in Brisbane. We will see some osprey and wedgetails but they don't really hang out in the inner suburbs and more likely at local Wetlands.

 

[Bidkev]

I have to admit that against all my photographic "ethics" when I first moved into my current home I installed a feed table and bird bath until such time as my garden became established. I am lucky nowadays that the "water free garden" that I planned has come to fruition and I have an all year round abundance of natural feed for the birds and the feeder has long gone. I have grevillias, some of which flower all year round and bottle brushes and also many different varieties of succulents and aloes that tend to flower mid winter.

Cats are a nuisance though and my water gun gets a workout quite often.

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Blue Faced Honeyeater (4) by Kevin Dickinson, on Flickr