I agree with Chris and Morris. Birds need a leg up, especially in harsh
weather. As far as man impacting on birds in various ways, tell me about
it. I worked in Hawaii for 16 years as USFWS
biologist/administrator/endangered species coordinator. Hawaii is the
endangered species capitol of the WORLD, including birds. 29 species of
endemics have become extinct since 1825 for various reasons, largely as
a result of the activities of man. Another 30 are listed as endangered.
So 75% of the endemic birds are either extinct or endangered with
extinction because of man's activities in historic times.. Some, like
the Po'o'uli are on the razor's edge of becoming extinct. Almost no
species in the world has become extinct since the early 1800's because
of a natural cause.

A lot is attributed to alteration of habitat by various means such as
urbanization, grazing by introduced livestock, European pigs, Mouflon
and domestic sheep are some causes. Introductions of domestic cats
allowed to roam, mongooses, birds from other contnents carrying
diseases to which endemics had no resistance, introduction of the
mosquito about 1820 which transmitted diseases from these birds to
endemic birds, etc., etc. etc. etc. etc.

Speaking of cats, there are an estmated 77 million pet cats in our
nation. 26 million more than were present 15 years ago, and roughly
two-thirds are allowed to roam outside. Stray and feral cats add up to
another 60 to 100 million. You can't blame the cat for killing birds.
It's doing what comes naturally. It's irresponsible owners are the cause
that allow their darling Fifi to roam. I like cats - in the home they
make a nice pet. When they are allowed to roam they're up to no damned
good. A person might get a copy of the booklet CATS INDOORS! THE
CAMPAIGN FOR SAFER BIRDS AND CATS. Incidentally, it is estimated by the
National Humane Society that about million cats a year are killed by
traffic I won't go into diseases cats transmit to other cats AND to
humans.

All this does not take in the millions of birds, especially passerines
which die annually encountering windows, bright lights in tall buildings
and in other places, storms, etc. Huntable species which also lose their
ducklings and chicks to predators during the breeding and nesting
seasons.

92 species of birds are listed in the U.S. as endangered or threatened.
The total of 28 others considered as sensitive in 1982 has grown to 131.

Personally, I see nothing wrong with feeding birds, especially during
winter months. As stated before, I wholeheartedly agree with Chris and
Morris.

Gene Kridler
Crippled Old (84) Wildlife Biologist/Adminstrator.