nobody@tekecs.GWD.TEK.COM (-for inetd server command) (03/13/89)
In article <4902@sfsup.UUCP> mattk@sfsup.UUCP (+Kaufman M.E.) writes: > Hi there. > I have recently (this winter) begun feeding my numerous > backyard birds (woodpeckers and starlings[unfortunately] mostly) > from a suet feeder. Is it a good idea to continue feeding suet > even during the warmer weather? I plan to continue putting out According to The Birder's Handbook, (c. 1988 by Paul R. Erlich, David S. Dobkin, and Darryl Wheye, ISBN 0-671-65989-8 - an excellent book, by the way): "Sun-warmed suet mats feathers, which can result in reduced insulation and waterproofing, inflamed or infected follicles, and loss of facial feathers." It mentions bare-faced Downy Woodpeckers in particular, then goes on about moldy seed and fermented nectar and the trouble *those* cause. Sounds like continuing your suet feeder into the warm weather isn't a good idea. Barbara Zanzig {major backbone sites}!tektronix!orca!barbaraz barbaraz@orca.wv.tek.com
kaufman@maxzilla.Encore.COM (Lar Kaufman) (03/13/89)
In article <11130@tekecs.GWD.TEK.COM> barbaraz@bj.WV.TEK.COM (Barbara Zanzig) writes: >In article <4902@sfsup.UUCP> mattk@sfsup.UUCP (+Kaufman M.E.) writes: >> ...Is it a good idea to continue feeding suet >> even during the warmer weather? I plan to continue putting out > >According to The Birder's Handbook, (c. 1988 by Paul R. Erlich, David >S. Dobkin, and Darryl Wheye, ISBN 0-671-65989-8 - an excellent book, >by the way): > >"Sun-warmed suet mats feathers, which can result in reduced insulation >and waterproofing, inflamed or infected follicles, and loss of facial >feathers." > >It mentions bare-faced Downy Woodpeckers in particular, then goes on >about moldy seed and fermented nectar and the trouble *those* cause. > >Sounds like continuing your suet feeder into the warm weather isn't a >good idea. > >Barbara Zanzig >{major backbone sites}!tektronix!orca!barbaraz >barbaraz@orca.wv.tek.com You should be aware that it isn't a good idea to feed the birds during the summer anyway. Last year, particularly in the Northeastern U.S., there was an epidemic of salmonella decimating the wild bird population. The (Mass or U.S.?) Audubon people asked people to stop feeding the birds, as the feeders served as major collecting points whereby healthy birds were exposed to ill birds. The birds really don't need to be fed in the summer. If you really want to watch them and insist on feeding them, make sure to keep the facilities clean, wiping the perches down with disinfectant daily and cleaning up the litter left on the ground. (The spillage on the ground attracts many birds, where they are exposed to feces of other, perhaps ill, birds.) As Barbara notes, moldy seed and fermented nectar are also problems - these are mostly warm weather problems, of course. Much more work is involved in keeping a feeder safe to use in warm weather, and they aren't necessary in normal years. Water can be useful, but the demand-type drip-tube waterer is much more sanitary than the typical stagnant birdbath. -lar "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes" - Oscar Wilde Lar Kaufman <= my opinions kaufman@Encore.com