Almost all birds primarily eat insects. The seeds you put in feeders? They keep the adults going but seeds are not what birds raise their young on. To save birds, we have to boost insect populations.
I've watched birds who were waiting for their chance at the feeder sit on the nearby flowering bushes while picking off bugs, so I don't have to use any pesticides.
in my new second home, Costa Rica, residents (and both locals and expats) routinely use pesticides and herbicides, despite being surrounded by patches of primary rainforest. it boggles my mind. I hope to be a positive influence there, but am not going to get my hopes too high.
The splatometers tell the truth. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Thank you for this!
Filling my birdfeeder with millipedes 🫡
This means: 1. Replace non-native trees and plants with natives. 2. Let fallen leaves sit as winter habitat. 3. Cut back pesticide use. 4. Outdoor lights off at night. 5. Preserve more parks and natural open spaces.
Still, while bird breeding success often depends on insect abundances, the breeding population sizes are less affected, likely due to restricted numbers of territories and long lifespans of birds. Of course this means that there are likely tipping points if the food availability gets too low.
And spiders! Bags of fat! nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
YES yes YES!!!!