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The Leonard Lopate Show

How to be a Responsible Bird Feeder

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Some experts are concerned that improper birdfeeding can disrupt birds’ natural migration and breeding patterns over the long term. Ornithologist Dr. David Bonter of Cornell University’s Project FeederWatch tells us how we can feed birds responsibly.

Weigh in: Do you think NYC is a good place to feed birds? Where do you set up your birdfeeder?


Comments

  • [1] Tejas Gosai from Philadelphia April 23, 2008 - 12:38PM

    When I was younger, the mean kids told me that putting crushed up alka seltzer in a bird feeder would force the bird to eat some of it and then they would blow up. is this true? I have been wondering since I was 12.
  • [2] Robert from NYC April 23, 2008 - 12:39PM

    I feed the sparrows only in St Mark's Church Cemetery under the tree where they hang out. I bring them toasted unsalted shelled sunflower seeds. I do it on the sneak so the pigeons don't see and come and eat up everything. I get cardinals and blue jays on my window sill plush the squirrels. I also feed the squirrels in St. Marks too.
  • [3] Joe April 23, 2008 - 12:42PM

    Speaking of diseases, what are the chances that birdfeeders spreading human communicable diseases? Avian flu comes to mind, but I'm not sure if the species of bird that spread flu come to bird feeders.
  • [4] Joe April 23, 2008 - 12:44PM

    Do pigeons spread any human diseases?
  • [5] Tony Bruguier from San Jose, CA April 23, 2008 - 12:46PM

    Nothing is quite like Tom Lehrer's "poisoning pigeons in the park."
  • [6] Rich from NYC April 23, 2008 - 01:05PM

    what some neighbors don't realize is that we don't live in the country and your birdfeeder creates a mess for other people's yards where people have pools or hang clothes. There is enough for birds to enjoy without creating the neighborhood feed center for the birds.

This thread is closed.


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