Q. I have heard that the birds become dependent on bird feeders, and if I stop feeding the birds, they will starve. Is that true?

A.  Bird feeding and bird watching is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States. In all aspects of bird feeding, it’s really up to you when you start or stop. Bird feeding is a human-contrived hobby. The birds derive some benefit from our feeders, but they do not require it, and they do not become dependent upon it. You can start or stop feeding at will, go on vacation or feed only seasonally without unduly affecting birds. They are only eating a percentage (studies show up to only 25%) of their diet from bird feeders. In fact, they will often disappear from feeders for periods of time when there are richer or more abundant wild food sources to be had.
 
Water, on the other hand, is something from which the birds derive great benefit, and the presence of clean or moving water, especially in dry or winter conditions can make a big difference for birds. A nice, clean shallow bird bath can provide this for the birds.
 
Side Note: We stop feeding the birds here at RI Audubon headquarters in mid-March, but it is not because of the birds’ ability to find food. We do it because our feeding station is in close proximity to our bluebird nesting boxes and we want to discourage the invasive English Sparrows from using those boxes. We remove the food source at the start of nesting season and they move on. We resume feeding in August or September once breeding season is over. The birds who use the nesting boxes are insect eaters and are not influenced by the presence or absence of seed.

In Rhode Island, you can stop feeding the birds in early May without causing hardship. Once the trees are leafed out, insects are abundant; many birds that eat seeds in the winter switch to insects for the summer. Also, many birds that visit the feeder during the winter have moved north or dispersed to their nesting territories by the spring.

Some people continue feeding during the spring and summer. This is not a problem and is a matter of personal choice. If you decide to stop feeding in the spring, you could turn your attention to other aspects of attracting birds, such as putting up nest boxes, planting trees and shrubs that birds favor, maintaining a bird bath, and providing nesting materials for birds. Feel free to call us at (401) 949-5454 for more information on attracting birds.

Birds sometimes take a period of time to find and start using a feeder. Meanwhile, make sure that you have the right set up, which includes not only the feeder itself, but also plantings around the yard.

Also, activity at a feeder changes with the seasons. In fall and early winter, the abundance of weed seeds and berries keep the birds fed. During breeding seasons, birds are busy with nesting activity and are dispersed in their territories. The birds could be going to other feeders around the neighborhood, or they could be coming to your feeder when you are away during the day or asleep. Remember that birds actively feed early in the morning.

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