Maureen Howard wonders if the backyard’s bird feed helps spread the bird’s flu.
Can we be killing kindly? In New Zealand, science shows when we put seeds and bread in our backyards, we are feeding only exotic birds – and, by bringing the species in proximity, avian diseases such as avian smallpox are spread to native species.
Okay, then feed native sugar water birds? This seemingly suitable bird alternative involves launching a sugar water feeder specifically designed for nectariass birds such as Tūī, Korimako (Bellbird) and Tauhou (Silvereye) that usually consume nectar-a sweet liquid that some plants provide in exchange for pollination services. In New Zealand, nectarivorous birds consume the nectar of plants like Harakeke (Phormium spp), Kowhai and Tarata, in turn, helping to pollinate these species.
The impact of sugar water feeding was the focus of conservation biologist Dr. Dray Etotova, the doctorate at Auckland University. She found that nectarivorous birds used more sugar water feeders in winter than summer, preferred sugar water (a cup of sugar per liter of water) and, despite the warmer temperatures, birds spent more time on sugar water feeders in Auckland than Dunedin. It is important to note that Dr. Eastova also found that nectarivores in gardens with sugar water feeders behaved more aggressively, were worse body condition and were more likely to have a coccidia-a gastrointestinal parasite infection. Compared to bread or seed feeding, water-to-water feed is not bad for bird health, says Dr. Eastova, as long as we chose a sugar water feeder specifically for this purpose, we maintain very clean and make it predators.
However, “I just wanted to head to bird lovers who, like Junk Food, can save him from death, if you’re starving, it’s not the best idea to eat just junk food for the rest of your life – it will make you sick.” It’s the same with the birds, she says.
Conservation Department Technical Consultant Bruce McKinlay also has concerns about bird food.
“It is an untt controlled experiment – these are complex ecological processes with which we are interfering.”
McKinlay is part of a team that prepares for the inevitable arrival on our margins of “Flu Ave”, a variant of the highly pathogenic aviary influenza (HPAI). New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world where HPAI is still absent in our wild bird population. When you arrive, I wonder, will push your neighbors into a sugar water feeder to increase the risk of a bird to capture the virus? Or will birds in the poorest body condition less able to combat this?
McKinlay says that Doc has no position in sugar water feeding, but together with the Ministry of Primary Industries, Doc wants our help to denounce indisposition or dead birds.
A friend of mine kept the sugar water feeder: like me, she owns a pair of binoculars, another great way to connect with the birds. I think binoculars make the birds wonderfully bring and, unlike feeder birds, you will see them involved in natural behavior, perhaps even pollinizing plants. Try to opt for reasonable quality binoculars, it advises McKinlay, no less than $ 200. And if you still want to feed birds to water, consider doing something you do occasionally. After all, sugar must be a delight!
From a reformulation point of view, sugar water feeding in the backyard is a thinning activity. It intervenes in the pollinating processes of nature and promotes dependence on wild birds of us. A more environmentally friendly way to feed wild birds is to plant or redo a variety of native plants to attract native birds to polish, feed and build nests. Then make it safe by placing a bell on your cat and installs traps for rats and skunks.
“You can create a suitable bird garden that is pleasing to the eye,” says Etotova.
■ Dr. Maureen Howard is the creator and host of the podcast series Rewilding in action, with Otago Access Radio.
