Current Events > When It's Okay (or Not) to Feed Birds

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https://www.audubon.org/news/when-its-okay-or-not-feed-birds

A case in point: Florida Scrub-Jays. If you were to do a simple google search like scrub-jay status Florida, you would quickly find that this species is listed as vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN and as federally threatened. Fewer than 5,000 Florida Scrub-Jays remain. Their numbers have dropped by 90 percent over the past century, as the scrub and scrubby flatwoods they require have been fragmented and destroyed by development and agriculture.
Bird lovers quickly realized that Florida Scrub-Jays will come readily to the hand for peanuts. Unfortunately, studies have shown that jays fed by humans reproduce earlier in the year than those that are not. As a result, their fledglings hatch before the caterpillars they rely on for nutrition are available, leading to malnourishment and starvation. People also feed jays near roads, and collision with vehicles is a major cause of their death. Thus, its now illegal to feed Florida Scrub-Jays unless you have a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

I knew a bit about it not being good to feed certain food to birds (especially stuff like bread) due to the health risks and ecological impact, but I never realized it could actually alter reproductive cycles.
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I remember reading that peas are good for birds

Also, ib4 Karl, King of Ducks
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Feed them rice
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You can't feed or interact with the Sand Hill Cranes down here in FL either.
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Conception616 posted...

You can't feed or interact with the Sand Hill Cranes down here in FL either.

Oh really? That's super interesting. I've always wanted to see a Sand Hill Crane irl - maybe I should take a road trip to florida at some point!
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Well if you have an invasion of white-winged doves they will take out your feeder out in 15 minutes and the males are super aggressive and won't shut up. I hate bullies.
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I saw some ducks in a pond in Albany in literally the middle of winter and I was like "aren't these migratory? Why the fuck are they in the middle of a half frozen pond?" And as soon as I asked that question a guy from the top floor of an apartment building outside the pond started throwing bread off it to the ducks.
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ehhwhatever posted...

Well if you have an invasion of white-winged doves they will take out your feeder out in 15 minutes and the males are super aggressive and won't shut up. I hate bullies.

Oh really? I didn't know that. When I have birdseed out I normally see a lot of wrens ...... and then squirrels

Tyranthraxus posted...

I saw some ducks in a pond in Albany in literally the middle of winter and I was like "aren't these migratory? Why the fuck are they in the middle of a half frozen pond?" And as soon as I asked that question a guy from the top floor of an apartment building outside the pond started throwing bread off it to the ducks.

y i k e s
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I give crows French fries
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Those sandhill cranes are some big fuckers, let me tell ya
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DocileOrangeCup posted...

I give crows French fries

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joestarrr posted...

DocileOrangeCup posted...

I give crows French fries

I bet they fly over to a table and dip that shit in ketchup.
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I feed kfc to the gulls
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Irony posted...

joestarrr posted...

DocileOrangeCup posted...

I give crows French fries

I bet they fly over to a table and dip that shit in ketchup.

probably, especially because corvids are HELLA smart
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