10 Reasons Why You Might Not Want Bird Feeders
There are many reasons why bird feeders may not be right for every yard, no matter how welcome the birds might be.
You Can Still Feed the Birds
Just because a birder chooses not to have dedicated bird feeders, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to feed the birds. Natural food sources are more easily recognized by local birds and may appeal to many more bird species, particularly if one yard provides a wide variety of natural foods for birds. As landscaping is being planned with the birds in mind, there are many types of plants that can be added to create a natural, growing, self-renewing smorgasbord for hungry birds, including:
Fruit or nut trees and shrubs Seed-bearing flowers Seed-bearing ornamental grasses Berry bushes Nectar flowers
Minimizing pesticide use can help provide insects for hungry birds, and leaving leaf litter intact is another great way to give foraging birds a healthy, natural food source. Even without feeders, any birder’s yard can be a nutritious buffet that will attract a wide range of birds.
