Feed the Birds
In addition to being a lovely song from the musical “Mary Poppins,” feeding the birds is something humans have done for ages, and sometimes unwillingly. Putting aside the need to keep birds out of a garden or crop, many people enjoy the presence of wild birds in their backyards and will sometimes use food as a lure to bring and keep them around.
It’s very important to research what food is good for birds. The idea of throwing bread crumbs in the yard is related to the same pratice in public parks. The reality is that most birds eat seeds, worms, and bugs, not human food. Knowing what birds are native to an area and what foods fit their diet is the best way to ensure healthy, happy bird neighbors instead of sickly ones.
Food can be dispensed by distributing it evenly through a yard for birds that are ground feeders. For hummingbirds and others that eat while flying, a quality bird feeder is a much better idea. Many bird feeders on the market today are designed to feed birds while keeping out scavengers like squirrels and raccoons. Some are even electrified to provide additional deterance.
Birds can be a delightful addition to any backyard and providing them appropriate food is one way to get them to return again and again.