Bird feeder basics: Should Cape Codders feed birds and what's the best way to do it?

I was happily sipping a Narragansett and enjoying the stylish comfort of my footie pajamas, when I stumbled across this intriguing post on the Cape Cod Birders Facebook group:

"I would like opinions about having a bird feeder," wrote the author. "I would like to add one to my yard but don't want to attract squirrels and rodents ... also my aunt says that it hurts the birds by making them dependent on people."

Suddenly, a universe of avian entertainment beckoned. I could purchase a bird feeder and become friends with eagles, dodos and aardvarks. Maybe we would all migrate to spring break hotspots!

But the Facebook post gave me pause. While I have a grudging respect for squirrels, my appetite for the company of rats has waned over the years. And I didn't like the idea of birds becoming addicted to my Michelin-starred feeder and giving me the stink eye when it was empty.

So I dived into the world of bird feeders and came up with a bellyful of intrigue. There is a surprising amount of pro and con thought on the matter, and for a chowderhead like me, it was tricky to decipher.

First off, the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) doesn't seem to be a big fan of bird feeders. According to their "Avoid feeding wildlife" webpage,  "The presence of bird feeders can bring many types of wildlife closer to homes and residential areas, increasing the chances of human/wildlife interaction and conflict."

The DFW recommends an alternative approach: "By providing native plants, fresh water, and bird houses, you can attract birds to your yard without needing to use bird feeders."

But we know the feeders are out there. According to a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service article titled "To Feed or Not to Feed Wild Birds," around 59 million Americans feed birds in their yards, a tradition that has been going on for more than 100 years.

The article describes the joys of having a bird feeder, but also warns that they can increase the risk of disease, predation and collision with windows for birds.

Conversations with Cape bird experts revealed that owning a bird feeder can be rewarding, but it's a somewhat significant responsibility that requires maintenance and surveillance.

"If you're not going to take it seriously and not going to keep it clean, don't do it," said Mike O'Connor, owner of the Bird Watcher's General Store in Orleans. This is pretty stern stuff coming from a wicked funny guy who sells bird feeders!

Pro tips from Mike include: consider taking your feeder in every evening, to avoid what he called the "night crew," which could include raccoons and rats. He also suggests using sunflower seeds instead of a seed mix, because birds at the feeder might messily target a certain item in the mix, spilling food onto the ground.

The choice of feeder is also important in keeping squirrels out of your bird buffet. Mike's all-time favorite feeder is the Brome Squirrel Buster Classic. It's a tube-style feeder with a protective cage. The weight of a marauding squirrel will lower the cage over the food ports.

Mark Faherty, science coordinator at the Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, said birds aren't likely to become dependent on bird feeder food. "There are plenty of seeds out there in the wild," he said. "When you feed birds, you're doing it for yourself, not because they need it."

He also said a bird feeder can connect folks to nature, something that might seem in shorter supply these days. "When you compare doom scrolling through your phone to watching birds at your feeder on a snowy day, one of these is healthier," said Faherty.

I thought this investigation into animal catering would be easy, but now I have almost too much food for thought. At this point, I would say my bird feeder plans are still up in the air.

Eric Williams, when not solving Curious Cape Cod mysteries, writes about a variety of ways to enjoy the Cape, the weather, wildlife and other subjects. Contact him at ewilliams@capecodonline.com. Follow him on X: @capecast.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Bird feeders on Cape Cod: Tips for less trouble with squirrels