Feeding native Birds

Is there anything more wonderful than seeing the birds flock to your garden? This is probably why so many people see the need to feed wild birds.

The problems with this practise are many, the wrong food is often provided, thus resulting in the birds suffering from dietary deficiencies, deformed young, spreading of disease, overpopulation of particular species.

When birds start to rely on being fed they stay in the area, whereas before they may have gone further afield to find food.

If it is lorakeets or parrots you are feeding the little nectar eating birds that would normally be in the area would have to vacate the area or die of starvation, as the larger birds multiply and deplete the food source.

The larger meat eating birds like Kookaburras, Magpies, Butcherbirds are all territorial and when they are hand fed they claim the area as home territory.

The smaller birds now have a major problem raising their families as the larger birds eat their eggs and young, the insects the smaller birds were relying on is now eaten by the swollen population of larger predator birds.The balance is no longer there.

Alternatives if you wish to have more bird life in your garden, plant native plants, this will encourage the birds into your garden without upsetting the natural balance. Put a birdbath in a shady spot in the garden, remember to clean it regularly as with everything when you have a lotof different species using it, it need to be clean so as not to spread disease.

Make sure you have many different kinds of plants to ensure flowering at different times of the year.





		Is there anything more wonderful than seeing the birds flock to your garden? This is probably why so many people see the need to feed wild birds. The problems with this practise are many, the wrong food is often provided, thus resulting in the birds suffering from dietary deficiencies, deformed young, spreading of disease, overpopulation of particular species. When birds start to rely on being fed they stay in the area, whereas before they may have gone further afield to find food. If it is lorakeets or parrots you are feeding the little nectar eating birds that would normally be in the area would have to vacate the area or die of starvation, as the larger birds multiply and deplete the food source. The larger meat eating birds like Kookaburras, Magpies, Butcherbirds are all territorial and when they are hand fed they claim the area as home territory. The smaller birds now have a major problem raising their families as the larger birds eat their eggs and young, the insects the smaller birds were relying on is now eaten by the swollen population of larger predator birds.The balance is no longer there. Alternatives if you wish to have more bird life in your garden, plant native plants, this will encourage the birds into your garden without upsetting the natural balance. Put a birdbath in a shady spot in the garden, remember to clean it regularly as with everything when you have a lotof different species using it, it need to be clean so as not to spread disease. Make sure you have many different kinds of plants to ensure flowering at different times of the year. LET'S NOT SLOWLY KILL OUR WILD BIRDS WITH KINDNESS.


			©Wildlife Mountain 2000, 2001, 2002 Wildlife Mountain is sponsored by the caring people from Foto Riesel. All pictures in this site are taken using their camera's and equipment. (364a Kent St, Sydney, +61 (02) 92996746) We are also kindly sponsored by the friendly gang from the Ginger Necktar Drink Company. We would also like to acknowledge the amazing support and help we have had from the Lismore Vet Clinic who have been an invaluable support to both us and the native wildlife of this region. All native birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles are proteced under the Wildlife Act 1975, they may not be captured or harmed in any way without an authority issued under the Wildlife Act.