Feeding wild birds is the most popular wildlife activity globally — but done poorly, it can spread disease, create dependency, and attract predators. Done well, it provides genuine welfare benefits.
Feeders that attract high densities of birds and are not regularly cleaned become disease vectors. Sick birds at feeders are often the first visible sign of local outbreaks. Conversely, well-maintained feeders providing appropriate food through winter genuinely save individual bird lives that would otherwise succumb to cold and food shortage.