We feed birds, like these pine siskins hovering around this feeder, for a multitude of reasons; a birdwatcher explains why he loves feeding birds.
To the uninitiated, birding and bird feeding might seem like an absurd waste of time, money and energy.
From a practical standpoint, my passion for birds does seem a bit silly. I go to extraordinary lengths to watch, feed, photograph and be in the presence of birds. So I’m starting to ask myself one question—why?
I had a college professor who provided me with some insight into this passion. I remember talking to him as he admired a flock of 10,000 western sandpipers swirl in the air. As he stared upward at the mass of birds, he said, “Every western sandpiper in the world could go extinct tomorrow, and we would feel no economic impact of that loss. But what would be lost is beauty.”
Conservationists are constantly trying to put the importance of wildlife, wilderness and nature into economic terms. As though the dollar value of a flock of shorebirds or the birds at my feeders is all that matters.
This, I now realize, is utter nonsense. What makes birds valuable, what makes them worthy of our protection, is their inherent beauty. It is their beauty that enriches our lives, not their economic value. And this enrichment is priceless.
In this age, the noise of televisions, computers, radios, the Internet and automobiles constantly surrounds us. Buried in this cacophony of multimedia, we are far removed from the natural world. Yet, part of me yearns for that connection.
Our genetic history is tied to natural wildness, and in its absence, there is a loss. Birds are my solution to this.
I can admire migrant songbirds moving through city parks, and finches, robins and blackbirds in suburban backyards.
Birds are everywhere. Yet no matter how familiar they may be, they are subjected to wind, rain, snow, cold, predators and the trials of migration. Hold no doubt, birds are wild animals, and through them we can regain a thread of connection to their wildness.
Therein lies the answer to why I participate in this seemingly pointless activity. It is part of a struggle to maintain a connection to the wild. I invite these small, feathered, wild things into my yard and into my life with feeders of seed. I wander into the birds’ real—forests, beaches, mountains and wetlands—to experience their beauty on their terms.
These explorations restore balance to my life, and finding that balance is more reason than I need to justify my passion for birds.
Sheri DeLoach says
Feeding the birds is second nature to me! Learned that birds are our friends as a child!
I love backyard birds & feed them year around! 🙂
Jim and Pam vonLintel says
Jim n Pam vonLintel it’s a balance and wonderness that I need which comes from that seeing their wonder in the wild.
luz says
It has become my passion also to feed birds in my neighborhood, I go for a walk everyday just to feed the seagulls, pigeons and any bird that I see. I feed one and twenty five more show up. I enjoy doing this and releases stress to be around nature.
Elizabeth says
It is great!!! I already have two new born bird egg at my bedroom window…it is amazing to.see life being!!!
Karen Peloquin says
I agree whole heartedly. Watching birds gives me contentment with God’s plan. And when you own birds they become so much a part of you life they will understand what you say to them. At one time I thought oh no now I’m stuck with these 6 cocatiels, but after 10 yrs. I would not trade them for any other animal.♥
Kandi Davis says
I love watching all birds come to my feeder here in Florida.I also have suet for wood peckers.
Alexis says
Well said, and so very true.
Karen Peloquin says
I agree whole heartedly. ♥
Dawn says
Amen!
Sharon says
We are going to be moving to a home by the water, I am so afraid I will never see my songbirds again, here in Texas we have Cardinals, Finches, Titmouse’s, Chickadee’s, Woodpeckers, I don’t want to see just Pelicans and Seagulls, but we will just have to see.
Shirley says
I lived by a river near a Federal Marsh area, so we were surrounded by water. Always had a variety of birds, tiny and very big ones. We had the variety just like you and put feeders out summer and winter by the windows in the house. I recently moved to an assisted living apartment and my sons put two kinds of feeders on the upstairs windows just for my bird watching passion. It wasn’t long and there they were. There is a film type thing on the window, so they can’t see me, but I can get right up to them and really study them all I care too. Try it, you love it!!! Hummingbirds are my favorite, even saw a nest in my backyard tree once.
Karen Martin says
Please, can you tell us the name of this film you put on your window? I would love to have this….
Diane Kozlovich says
I have lots of feeders & suet in my front & backyard, but not on my windows. I’d also like to try putting a nest on a window. I’m in Lincolnton, NC.
Lucia says
You have said it so well!!! birds help me filter the ever increasing suburban noises and watching them calms me.
Candie says
Very nicely said and I like your way of thinking. I personally have a different point of view. I have 2 rescued B&G Macaws that people just didn’t want anymore. They are messy and very loud at times. That said I really enjoy their company. I started looking at birds as Gods way of keeping an eye on everyone. I have hammers, crow, ravens, and dessert sparrows all around my house as I live in the dessert. I find it so amazing how endurable these creature are. Right now I have a Dove laying eggs on the edge of a bird house that I put up. I have had to put stuff up around the egg to stop it from falling. So precious is a little life. So instead of stopping to smell the flowers I watch the birds. Have a great day
Diane Kozlovich says
I agree with you, Candie! I rescued a baby bird that had fallen out of its nest & broke a leg. I hand fed it until it got weaned & then I let it go. It still fed at a outside bird feeders. You could tell it was the bird, because the broken leg was still crooked. At least it survived.
I bird sat a B&G Macaw when a close friend’s daughter got married while they were on their honeymoon. They are messy and very loud. I had a Moluccan Cockatoo at the time.
Louene says
Well said.
howard harner says
I have bluebirds and tree swallows next to my gardens and they help with the bug removal as well as being a joy to look at.
Cedric Tenner says
I’ve been watching birds since my 1st Daisy BB gun. Now I feed because I enjoy seeing the new species to my area.
Paula Watson says
Thank you so much for your explanation….it gives me a sense of peace to read in words how birds singing make me feel. We also have feeders and houses for our feathered friends, and without them, life would be very dull.
Roxanne Busby says
My husband and I have an acre yard and we feed lots of different birds. We love hearing them sing, and seeing them take baths in the bird baths. Every yr we have more and more…its wonderful!
Joan Cherrie-Rocke says
I love to hear birds sing but most importantly I look at the co-ordination of colours of their plume.
Val says
I’ve fed birds in our yard for over 40 years and love every minute of it. With over 20 feeders on the go at any given time, it keeps me busy, but it’s all well worth it. Now if only our snow would melt I’d be able to get our ponds/waterfalls up and running to prepare for all the warblers that drop in during migration 🙂
Marie Whitaker says
My husband and I feed the birds all year round because we love to see how many bring their babies to the feeders. I also think they are very funny and relaxing to watch.
Also I will watch them in the winter to know when a storm is coming. They are better than a weatherman.
Ginny says
since childhood I’ve been in love with birds, connection with my Dad and mostly my Grammy. She had a bird field guide and we always marked the new birds we saw and dates. Did it with my own babies, doing it now with the Grands. Brings great balance and joy! always a thrill to see my first of any bird,still after 50 something, years of loving it.
Tanya says
Ginny, what a great idea that is! Don’t know why I’ve never thought of marking in my field guide with dates that I saw them. I’m going to start doing that with my family. Thanks for sharing your story. I love birds, and my husband and kids do too. I’d rather watch the birds at our feeders and in our trees and flowers than watching tv! We have American Goldfinches that perch on our tall perennials, the bright pink phlox and eat from them. It’s the funniest thing to watch! They lean over to the next flower and peck from that one too. The more flowers and bushes we planted, the more butterflies and birds we have visiting! Just got a hummingbird feeder and have been enjoying watching the green hummingbird visit every 2 hours, sometimes the hour in between as well. The birds give us such joy and love hearing them!
Bren says
I feed them too. They look for me whenever I step outside my apartment. They also like table scraps. The crows call when I make an appearance and everyone flies in and starts singing.
Rose Clark says
I fed all the birds and squirrels last summer. I had many Bully birds that ate a lot. This year I have narrowed my bird feeding guest list to Hummingbirds, hopefully orioles, nuthatches, chickadees and blue jays. All winter I fed and kept a heated birdbath for water and bathing. at one point I counted 26 mourning doves. I had Ravens walk up to the patio. A hawk dropped in a killed a mourning dove( sad but it is a part of nature) I love their music, I love their colors and the succeeding generations that continue to come to the feeders. WHAT JOY and BEAUTY!. I hope to handfeed some this summer. Treasure beyond GOLD
John Santilli says
We have a house in the countryside in a national park in Italy but see very few birds. So we are about to make a feeder too to see what we have in this area. Thanks. I think birds are the last dinosaurs. All the best
jill mckeon says
I don’t see my feeding the birds during the cold months as a seemingly pointless activity, I see it as giving assistance during a difficult time in which they in return will feed upon the insects that would otherwise feed upon me in the warmer months. Umm if you want the practical point of view. The real reason is they are beautiful and give me joy
Nancy says
We also love feeding the birds. Wild finches in the sock feeders, doves on the ground and hummingbirds. Husband made the hummingbird bath from PVC pipe that was shown on here. We have not seen birds in it yet but something is going on since we find seeds in it. I also bring seed whenever we go to the beach or park.
Steve Sage says
Very similar for me and my wife. We love seeing the variety of birds we get here in the high desert in Arizona….woodpeckers, lots of cardinals, the occasional oriole, finche, sparrows, thrashers, etc. It’s fun seeing them and I feel, true or not, that we’re making their sometimes tough life a bit easier.
Joyce (Graves) Olmstead says
I have been feeding the birds for years and still enjoy them. I like nature , We had a bunch of wild ducks coming for a couple of years but there is just a few now.
Cheryl Fisher says
My father fed birds, so it was natural to do that when my husband and I set up housekeeping too nearly 50 years ago. Our affinity for birds was enhanced last Feb. when we viaited the Everglades and photographed many species of birds in their winter home. We call it ‘getting our nature fix,’ and there is nothing quite like it! Spending time away from electronic gadgets (except our cameras, of course) is most refreshing!!
Linda Margison says
I, too love birds for their beauty, song, and as part of the nature that surrounds me. But most of all, I feel a connection to their freedom. Flight, adventure, and the ability to find sustenance and shelter ‘on the wing’. I believe birds are the freest creatures on earth.
Tracey says
I love filling my trees with birdies! Hummingbirds and finches and all kinds of singing birds provide music and eat all the pests! They fertilize the ground and spread the seeds! PERFECT 🙂
Charlotte Issyvoo says
I agree with a lot of what you say here. I feel much more connected to nature, much more a part of it, since I started feeding birds. If I hadn’t already been a vegetarian when I put out my first feeder, I think would have become one. I think feeding them also feeds my own need to nurture, and even to have some stewardship of nature.
I’ve since moved into a house with a yard, but I began feeding birds on my urban, apartment balcony when I became disabled and largely housebound. We can not underestimate birds’ role in the lives of the elderly, the seriously ill, and the disabled. They provide entertainment, beauty, and a connection to the larger cycle of life beyond or individual and physically painful lives which may not last that long.
I hope this doesn’t seem like self-promotion, but I wrote about this very topic here: http://www.sublimemercies.com/2013/01/small-blessings-birds-and-balcony.html
Charlotte Issyvoo says
P.S. How nice to see all those siskins. We get them periodically here but they are very prone to outbreaks of salmonella and I haven’t seen any in about a year.
Laura says
I enjoy bird watching too
Laura says
I love looking at all kinds of birds.
Marinevet says
I enjoy feeding the birds just to watch the beauty and antics of the different species. We feed in the summer also so we have generations of birds that have never moved from here now. The little ones are fun to watch as they learn how to fly and eat from the feeders. The colors are amazing.=from Michigan.
Brenda says
Your explanation is so true!! Love to sit in the morning & watch, listen & admire all the birds that visit our feeders. Starts the day off relaxing
Marcy C says
Been feeding birds forever…Having a total care adult daughter, I do all I can to bring the birds close to the house, so we can see birds right from the windows…I feed all year and love when the babies come to the feeders and you can watch when they realize how to eat from the feeders….I have done years of planting for the birds and butterflies on our 4 acres and the trade off of feeding all year is having bugs eaten from the plants and of course there is no chemicals used here in our “Cunkelman’s Safe Haven” habitat…
christine j marshall says
I have been feeding my birds for many years (Like my mother always did) For me it is a quite activity in busy world and a peaceful , almost spiritual hobby that keeps me grounded.
C-A says
A point about conservationists putting a $ value on wildlife; it gives leverage on govt and business to achieve more for conservation.
The other point to consider is the risks to wildlife by feeding them. Many species have a tricky diet. If you fill them up with the wrong food, it can possibly kill them. It’s best to plant food producing plants suitable for the species you are trying to attract and leave leaf matter around to encourage insects to forage for.
Pam McCarthy says
I find that I have gained a new sense of humor, peace and caring while filling the feeder (for impatient little birds), cleaning and refreshing the birdbath (for our birds who love to show off in the bath) and try to get a glimpse of those quick humming birds as they sip from the feeder on the porch. Even though my family teases, they actually look up a bird they see in my field book and ask about it.
Glenda says
There is a definite communication with birds, even hummingbirds. Heck I found the same with yellow jackets when they began to share the hummer feeder. They never stung, they hovered impatient as the hummers for the food. Never forget, though, that if you feed birds regularly for many years, they will accommodate and come to depend on the feeders, rather than foraging. Dozens of birds died after my grandparent’s deaths for that very reason.
Ellen Coy says
I so totally agree !
lynn hull says
Birds are guests in your back yard. Invite them in and feed them well. In return you will see their beauty, and they will let you in on their conversations with one another. Its a beautiful thing to become a part of their life. Birds are a precious gift, i adore each and everyone of them.
Joan H. says
I have fed the birds since moving into this house in 1970. My mother fed the birds when I was growing up. I buy black oiled sunflower seeds because even the small birds like those, and cracked corn for the doves & squirrels. I spent big bucks every winter.My sister in law asked me, who will feed them when you are gone. I told her that who ever buys my house will be required to agree to feed the birds. I feed the hummingbirds in the summer.
Rochelle says
I love feeding the birds & I spend a lot of time bird watching. It’s very relaxing. They are beautiful to watch. I started a bird blog and I started making feeders as a hobby.
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