If there are research studies which detail impacts of feeding on birds I
would like to be pointed to them. I have been told that Cornell collected
some data but it was not published. Since feeders represent an virtually
unlimited and easy to acquire local food resource it stands to reason there
are ecological impacts. I have many questions which apparently have no
answers, such as,

Are feeders a natural selection factor for species in an area. For example,
over time do seed eaters become more numerous?
Do feeders reduce the amount of natural foraging enough to impact
populations of local insects. For example, do more insects survive
predation as eggs or larva because the birds are foraging less?
Do feeders increase the survival of nestlings? If yes, are the increased
populations dependant upon the feeder for survival Does a feeder alter the
carrying capacity of an area?
If feeders increase populations of feeder birds, does this also increase
survival and populations of predators such as Coopers Hawks?

The ecological questions around feeders are many, the answers are unknowns.

Rob Sandelin
Naturalist, Writer, Teacher
Snohomish County

_____

From: tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of William R.
Andersen
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 1:07 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: [Tweeters] Is bird feeding good or bad?



Friends: Is there a consensus on the question of whether it is good or bad
practice to feed birds during seasons when natural food is plentiful? Some
tell me that while this feeding may be pleasurable for us, it is bad for the
birds as it blunts development of their food hunting skills. On the other
hand, some argue that this feeding is good because many birds die for lack
of nourishment and the more we feed them the more birds we'll have.



Bill Andersen

Seattle

ander at u.washington.edu