Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!psuvax1!rutgers!cmcl2!lanl!ssb
From: ssb@lanl.gov (Susan S Bunker)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: wwinter feeding myths
Keywords: winter feeding, peanut butter
Message-ID: <38823@lanl.gov>
Date: 13 Dec 89 18:30:43 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Lines: 20

To elaborate on feeding 'myths':
      Metal perches are considered a hazard because birds might
freeze to them.  Not so.  Birds have dry feet so don't stick to
metal as your moist finger might.  As for the related hazard
of a bird's eyeball sticking to metal parts, birds are no more
likely to touch things with their eyeballs than you are.
     Interrupted feeding.  If you cut down your offerings before
you leave, the birds will be encouraged to find other sources.
Given the enthusiasm for bird feeding these days that shouldn't
be difficult.  If nothing else, there are the natural sources
birds have always used, at least around here.  Best, of course,
is to introduce a friendly neighbor to the pleasures of birds
and winter feeding and ask him/her to fill your feeders for you.
     The author points out that if you find dead birds at your
feeder you probably aren't at fault.  More likely your easy
food supply is being used as a last resort by ill or weak birds.
     All according to the book, paraphrased.  It's a useful one -
The Backyard Bird Watcher by Harrison.

                                           Sue