Many people feed birds all year, even though some say you shouldn’t in the summer. So, should you feed the birds in your yard in the summer? How do you decide? This is what I think.
I fill my birdbaths and feeders all year, but I totally understand people who only feed birds in the winter. To me, that argument is reasonable and frankly, birdseed can be expensive too. For myself, I would miss seeing the birds that come to my spring and summer feeders though.
I also understand why some people think you shouldn’t feed birds, even if I don’t agree with them. They firmly believe that it is best for birds. You can love birds and enjoy watching them without being obligated to put up feeders.
But that said, I don’t personally agree with all of their arguments. One thing I’ve noticed is that when I look up the environmental status of a bird, feeder birds are often the birds “of least concern.” These birds in general seem to be doing ok coming to our feeders. Some of the articles linked to in this post talk about scientific studies that found giving birds access to feeders helped them live longer and gain weight. But again, if people don’t keep their feeders and birdbaths clean and in good repair, birds can suffer. In that case, I think they should reconsider.
I also think that giving food might make up for the damage that people have done by cutting down trees, digging up farmlands, and building houses. Habitat destruction is a human-caused problem after all. Bird watching can also make people interested in birds that aren’t doing so well in our world right now. So groups working to help those birds get more support.
Also, anyone who has seen birds competing for food at feeders would find it hard to call them lazy. Being a wild bird is a lot of work, regardless of where you find food. The birds that spend the most time on my feeders are finches, which eat seeds. But they also spend a lot of time in the trees, flowers, and bushes looking for food away from the feeders. Some of the studies mentioned in this post’s links also didn’t find that birds became dependent on feeders. Feeder food supplements their diet; it doesn’t completely fill it.
I agree, though, that planting trees, shrubs, and other plants that are native to our area is an even better way to feed birds. Native really is the way to go. It’s fine to have some plants that aren’t native to your area in your yard, but try to get as many that are as you can. And especially work to remove and keep out non-native invasive plants. If you don’t have a yard, maybe consider thoughtfully chosen container garden plantings.
Why is this important? Native bugs eat native plants. Many of them only eat certain native plants, and some may not even be able to eat non-native plants. Many backyard birds eat those bugs and especially feed thousands and thousands of native caterpillars to their young. So by providing plant food for these bugs, you are feeding birds too. Another great way to feed birds is to plant trees and shrubs that produce nuts, berries, seeds, or nectar. It’ll save on birdseed costs too!.
Also keep bug-eating birds in mind when gardening. Read labels carefully and research best practices. Choose pest and fertilizer/soil enrichment products that won’t harm birds. Keep in mind that plants native to your area are likely to need fewer products to thrive. (Note: I live in Central Maryland. For the past few years, my husband and I have bought native plants from Wakefield Valley Nursery in Carroll County. The owner is knowledgeable about what he stocks and specializes in natives. We drive a long way to get there because the plants are so good, and he has some things we couldn’t find closer. ).
There is a good article on All About Birds called A Yard Full of Native Plants Is a Yard Full of Well-Fed Birds that talks about why native plants are good for backyard birds. They use an example of the benefits to Carolina Chickadees.
So, should you feed backyard birds in the summer? That is up to you. During the summer, you can feed birds if you like them, have the money for seed, and are willing to keep the feeders and birdbaths clean. If you would rather limit your bird feeding to winter months, that is also totally fine too. You will likely be rewarded with many birds to watch from your window. That being said, it’s totally fine if you don’t want to use feeders and instead give birds native plants to eat or just go birding and look for them.
Do you feed birds? If so, do you leave your feeders out all year or just during certain times of the year?
I’ve touched on cleaning various types of feeders or birdbaths in past posts, often as part of reviews. Here are a few of my posts suggesting how to clean them.
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As the weather warms up, a common question among backyard bird enthusiasts is whether to take down feeders in spring and summer There are reasonable arguments on both sides of this issue. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll outline the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision about when to stop feeding birds as summer approaches
Why Some People Stop Feeding Birds in Summer
Here are the main reasons some people remove feeders during warmer months:
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Natural food abundance – Many argue birds have plenty of natural sources of food in spring and summer like insects, berries and seeds, so supplemental feeding from humans isn’t necessary.
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Deter wildlife – Feeders may attract unwanted visitors like bears, raccoons or rodents in summer. Taking feeders down removes the temptation
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Save money – Birdseed and suet costs can add up. Removing feeders is one way to reduce expenses in summer.
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Reduce diseases – Birds congregating at feeders can spread illnesses. Less gathering may lower disease transmission.
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Encourage migration – Some argue ample feed may entice birds to delay migration. Removing food sources promotes natural movement.
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Prevent laziness – A common claim is birds become lazy or too dependent on feeders. Forcing them to forage promotes wildness.
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Reduce work – Feeders require cleaning and maintenance that some birders are too busy for in summer.
Why Other People Feed Birds Year-Round
Here are reasons some choose to keep feeders up consistently year-round:
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Supplemental food source – Feeders provide useful nutrition atop what birds forage naturally.
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Help fledglings – Young birds may benefit from easily accessible feed as they learn to forage.
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No laziness – Research shows feeders supplement diets but don’t prevent natural foraging.
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Enjoyment – Seeing and photographing summer birds at feeders brings people joy.
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No harm – As long as feeders are kept clean, summer feeding poses little risk to birds.
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Help migrators – Some migrating species appreciate a feeder refueling stopover.
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Winter preparation – Keeping feeders up lets birds know where food can be found when colder weather returns.
Best Practice Recommendations for Summer Bird Feeding
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service states birds do not become dependent on feeders and it is fine to offer supplemental food year-round. However, some best practices are recommended:
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Use no-melt suet in hot weather to avoid fouling feathers. Don’t use old suet that may be rancid.
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Keep seed fresh and change frequently in heat, especially if damp. Discard moldy seed.
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Move feeders into shade and consider adding a bird bath for hydration.
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Reduce amounts of seed offered in peak summer to empty feeders quicker before spoiling.
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In bear country, take down feeders from April to November to avoid habituating bears.
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Clean feeders and birdbaths regularly to avoid spread of illnesses.
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Spread feeders out so birds don’t congregate as densely to lower contamination transmission.
Special Considerations for Hummingbird Feeders
Hummingbird feeders have unique summer feeding considerations:
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Use only plain white sugar and water in summer feeders – no dyes or flavorings. The nectar spoils rapidly in heat.
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Change nectar at least every 2-3 days in hot weather, or daily if extremely high temperatures. Rinse feeders well.
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Watch for signs of fermentation like black nectar or bubbles. Toss nectar and rinse feeder if this occurs.
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Consider reducing the amount of nectar in feeders so birds empty it more frequently.
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Look for shaded sites protected from afternoon sun to slow nectar spoilage.
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Avoid using insecticides which can be deadly to hummingbirds.
Deciding whether to stop feeding birds in summer is ultimately a personal choice. With reasonable precautions like fresh food and clean feeders, continuing to offer supplemental feed provides benefits and enjoyment without significant risks. But removing feeders to save costs or reduce obligations is perfectly fine too, especially if you provide bird-friendly native plantings and fresh water instead. Just be sure to put feeders back up before migration gets into full swing in autumn!
Some People Say NEVER Feed Backyard Birds
Some people who don’t think bird feeders are a good idea at all say that wild animals should be able to live their lives in ways that don’t change how they normally act. They argue that feeders make birds dependent on people and/or that they make birds lazy. (My thoughts on this further below. ).
And they point out that offering food in winter months may encourage them to stay longer than they otherwise might in a cold climate. And it is true that there have been changes in the ranges of some birds that may be related to the widespread availability to feeder foods in winter months. Northern Cardinals are often pointed to as one example. (See Nature.org’s post on Are Bird Feeders Helping Cardinals Expand Their Range?) But it is also possible that climate change may play a role in changing bird species ranges. (See Audubon’s article on Climate Change Could Cause Shifts in Bird Ranges That Seem Unbelievable Today) Is expanded range a good thing or a bad thing?
People who say you shouldn’t feed birds will also often point out, and rightly so, that birds gathering together can spread disease if one or more of them are sick. (It’s hard to explain social distancing to a bird. ).
Finally, they often point to dirty feeders and birdbaths themselves can be a source of bird illness. Mold can be toxic to birds and feces mixed in with seed can make them sick. If you put up a feeder or a birdbath, you must take responsibility to keep it clean. If you can’t or won’t do this, you should think again about whether you should feed birds at all. After all, there are other ways to see and enjoy birds.
For more on this position, check out To Feed or Not to Feed Wild Birds. This is a US Fish & Wildlife article looking at pros and cons of bird feeding that leans towards NOT feeding them, but also includes guidelines if you choose to feed birds.
A Second Group Says ONLY Feed Backyard Birds in Winter
People who say you should only feed birds in the winter usually say that birds have plenty of food during the warmer months. They say that during the summer, birds can find food on their own, so there is no reason to feed them. People say that giving birds food in the winter, even if it’s just during a storm, can help them make it through. This is may be especially true during very cold weather.
Sialis, a site about bluebirds, has a really interesting pdf on their website from the National Bird Feeding Society that looks at The Dynamics of Feeding Birds; The Pluses and Minuses of Feeding Wild Birds, which includes some of the potential feeder benefits to birds in winter. It specifically digs into some scientific studies looking at birds like Black Capped Chickadees and Blue Jays. But it also hits potential downsides as well.
Note: We don’t get bears in my neighborhood, so I don’t have that issue. But if you do, you should take down your feeders when it gets warm and bears are out and about. Feeders can also attract other animals, like squirrels, raccoons, rats, and mice. To keep these animals out of feeders, you may need to use extra methods.
But also consider that some people are just plain busy with other things in the summer months. It is often a time for vacations, hikes and outdoor socializing away from home. Not everyone has time to keep up with feeder and birdbath maintenance. For the most part, birds can find their own food in the summer, so they say it makes sense not to fill feeders. (It can also save you money in birdseed!).
What happens if I stop feeding birds?
FAQ
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