*Feeding wild birds*

["Mules, Michael" <>]

Vaguely on the topics of artificial foods for birds (and birds eating unusual items), on Thursday at the end of lunchtime, I saw a Red Wattlebird on the ground feeding from a plastic wrapper some student had dropped.  The wrapper was the covering for an iced donut, and the RWB had its head inside, and its tongue was working madly against the icing stuck on to the plastic.  Not something I'd seen before.

 

Cheers, Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Marian Andrews [
Sent: Saturday, 21 June 2003 2:02 PM
To:
Subject: Fw: [BIRDING-AUS] *Feeding wild birds*

I as a wildlife carer know that people will always be feeding our wildlife. I would rather tell them what to feed the birds than them feeding the wrong foods. People feed Lorikeets seed, when they are nectar feeders?? They lose the bristles on the tips of their tongues by eating just seed. I also let people know a small parrot mix is best for seed eating birds and you can get a dry nectar powder from pet shops for Lorikeets, honeyeaters and Wattlebirds, they love the dry powder. Bread, honey, sugar, milk, cheese, bacon, processed meats, are ALL VERY BAD for birds. You all would be so suprised to hear what people will feed birds?? All of the above and more. I have made up an information leaflet for people who ask me. I'd rather they feed something that wont harm the bird too much and they shouldn't feed for long periods otherwise the birds wont look for food for themselves.

 

Marian