Do you feed the birds while eating lunch?

1. 60

   aykianinkposted 11 years ago

   Do you feed the birds while eating lunch?
   
   Are you an animal lover?

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2. 72

   Raptorcatposted 11 years ago

   That's actually 2 questions.
   
   in answer to the 1st question, NO.  People food is not good for wild birds or wild animals, all of which are fully capable of finding their own food without our help.  This is why certain birds and animals migrate at different periods of history and different times of the year.
   
   In answer to the second question, YES.  For an explanation, see answer 1.

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      aykianinkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hm.  I've never thought of the 'people food' concept.  Usually reserve that for dogs.  I too am an animal lover, and I don't feed them.

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      Melissa A Smithposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Does this mean I shouldn't put out bird feeders?

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3. 74

   Ann1Az2posted 11 years ago

   I don't live in a place where I can feed them right now, but I used to feed wild bird seed occasionally to the pigeons in downtown Houston when I remembered to put some in my purse. I used to love to watch them swoop down and gather it up.
   
   Yes, I am an animal lover. I love cats the most, but I love all of God's creatures.

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4. 60

   aykianinkposted 11 years ago

   I think I've been a little blurry on this question.  Let me clarify.
   
   There’s a place that I eat at that is meant only for humans.  It’s surrounded by buildings and concrete.  I sat down at a table to eat.  The birds were so aggressive there.  I had to shoo the birds away every minute or so.  Now, I am definitely an animal lover, and I had to wonder if I looked like a Scrooge/Grinch unwilling to feed the birds.
   
   I love the birds.  Some of them are so beautiful.  Having said that, wild birds carry diseases.  It is a huge disservice to myself as well as the other businessmen there to be feeding those birds.
   
   For the record, when I say ‘aggressive’ I mean that the birds would walk under my chair, and fly onto nearby chairs.  On top of that, they would literally land on the table just a foot away from me.  This kind of behavior is okay only because the birds are cute.  Imagine if it were another animal.  Or insect.
   
   Oi…I feel like a “Scrooge” now…

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      Ann1Az2posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You are most definitely not a Scrooge! It would be rather unhealthy to feed the birds in this situation. Birds are messy and I'm sure if they were this aggressive, they would have been all over everyone. You did the right thing.

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5. 76

   Shaddieposted 11 years ago

   Yes, I feed the bird when possible.. And as for the "human food" controversy - I'd rather them possibly have an upset stomach than die of starvation.

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   1. 60

      aykianinkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting point.  On that note, I don't think I've really ever seen malnourished birds.  I've seen dead ones, but I don't think they died from starvation.  Common where you're from, Shaddie?

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      Shaddieposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That's because everyone feeds the birds Also there are plenty of garbage cans, etc.

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      aykianinkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I've seen open-top trash cans.  Then...birds fly into them...and...get...at...the...food...  Again, if that was happening with roaches...people would FREAK.

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