As National Bird Feeding Month comes to a close, let us reflect – to feed or not to feed?

Birds can find all they need to survive in the wild from Mother Nature's "all-you-can-eat buffet” of seeds, nuts, nectar, and insects. Native species conveniently provide the right food sources and harbor the right organisms to nourish the bird species that live in our area. Planting native and well-adapted species is extremely important for this reason.

While providing supplemental food for birds can bring them where we can more easily observe them, it can also subject them to additional dangers, such as diseases transmitted by dirty feeders, attention from predators like hawks and cats, and window strikes from feeders that are too close or too far from windows. However, in challenging circumstances such as drought, ice, and extreme cold/heat, supplemental food and water can help birds survive.

So IF you're going to feed birds, do it right! Consider these tips to ensure you’re following safe feeding practices:

• Clean your feeders at least once every two weeks with soap and boiling water or soak them for 10 minutes in a diluted bleach solution if possible before refilling with seed. Never put out moldy seed.

• Because sugar water can ferment or mold depending on the temperature outdoors, hummingbird feeders should be cleaned and refilled every two to five days. If you see any sign of cloudy water or black mold, discard the solution and clean the feeder immediately.

• Take feeders down immediately if there are reports of diseases transmitted at feeders.

• Replenish water daily to avoid mosquito breeding and water-borne disease. Scrub baths with stiff brushes, soap, and boiling water.

• Hang feeders either within 3 feet OR further than 10 feet from windows (birds can't see glass).

• For cold weather when birds need extra fat to stay warm, try this recipe for homemade peanut butter food.

• Use gloves or wash your hands when handling feeders.

• Remember that putting out food for birds will usually attract other wildlife as well! Clean debris below your feeders regularly to prevent waste from accumulating and attracting other wildlife.

And remember, there are many ways to observe and enjoy the company of birds that don’t require feeding them! Consider joining a birding group –Travis Audubon leads birding field-trips throughout the city, including in Pease Park. Stay tuned for our next one!

“Bird-scaping” or landscaping for birds is another great way to enjoy the company of the avian community without having to set up feeders. Learn what to plant to encourage birds to visit gardens and natural areas close to you. If you decide to cultivate plants for birds, remember to plant for all four seasons!