The Effects of Feeding Wild Birds

From your backyard to the seaside, the campground to the park, the end of the driveway to the
landfill, you are probably just one of the millions of North Americans who unknowingly
participate in a form of wildlife management; feeding wild birds, as a “harmless hobby”, has
gained popularity with a fairly new trend of people feeling the need to get a little closer to
nature. In a consumerist society that is rapidly eradicating its natural resources and ecosystems,
wild birds are becoming more and more dependent on the handouts we leave for them; some
believe it is our moral obligation to subsidize the feed and habitats that we have stolen from
nature, some simply enjoy the close company of our feathered-friends, and others still, will argue
that we could be doing more harm than good.
What happened to the old saying “please do not feed the wildlife”? As we drive down
every rural highway, spend the day at any park or beach, or camp a night in a provincial
c...