General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsEver since you posted this I have been observing and you're right.
I usually throw out bread for the birds. Today, I took some old baguette bread outside looking to feed the birds. There were none. Theyre usually up on the telephone lines or in the trees.I havent heard them or seen them either recently.
Very strange.
Bev54
(13,517 posts)live love laugh
(16,480 posts)Cirsium
(4,106 posts)From that article:
To begin with, birds must be very efficient eaters due to rapid metabolism and the small size of their stomachs. Birds need to max out every meal in order to take in enough nourishment. This means a bird will always take full advantage of each and every feeding opportunity. Ideally, they should be filling up with food that has a high density of the proteins, fats and carbohydrates they require. The food Nature intended. Bread is not that food.
The bird doesnt realize it has wasted an opportunity to be nourished, it has eaten its fill. It will continue going about its business, its body burning calories just the same. With a stomach stuffed full of nothing. With no calories to metabolize to stay warm or provide energy to evade predators.
For a small bird, this can lead to tragedy very quickly. A Black-capped Chickadee can freeze to death overnight, with its stomach full of bread.
Cirsium
(4,106 posts)What birds do you usually see? Thanks.
live love laugh
(16,480 posts)Cirsium
(4,106 posts)Likely House Sparrows if you are in a developed area, and maybe House Finches as well.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Sparrow/overview
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Finch/overview
leftstreet
(41,247 posts)maybe?
live love laugh
(16,480 posts)Srkdqltr
(9,936 posts)Im in Michigan near Lake Eerie.
usonian
(26,582 posts)More so than the usual bluejays and woodpeckers.
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