The research was published this month in the journal PLOS One.
The scientists studied the chickadees’ diet, health and reproductive success over a six-year period, comparing the effects of supplemental foods to the birds’ natural diet. They also measured the birds’ body condition and reproductive success, and monitored their behavior.
The results showed that the birds did not suffer any negative effects from being fed by humans, as long as the food was appropriate for the species and the feeders were placed in areas that were not heavily trafficked by humans.
“We found that the birds’ body condition, reproductive success, and behavior were similar between birds that were fed by humans and those that were not,” said Sonnenberg.
The research also showed that the birds’ diet was not significantly impacted by the supplemental food, as long as the food was appropriate for the species and the feeders were placed in areas that were not heavily trafficked by humans.
The study’s findings could have implications for other bird species in urban areas, where humans increasingly come into contact with wildlife, Sonnenberg said.
“It’s important to remember that birds are wild animals, and it’s important to follow the guidelines for feeding them,” he said. “But our research suggests that providing supplemental food in a responsible way can be a positive experience for both birds and humans.”
Humans have been warned not to feed bears for nearly a century in national parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite, and in areas where urban development has invaded native wildlife habitat. But new research from the University of Nevada suggests that feeding birds may have a different outcome.
The six-year study, which was recently published in the journal PLOS One, found that supplementing the mountain chickadees’ natural food sources with food provided in feeders or by hand did not negatively impact them, as long as the proper food was used and certain rules were followed.
The research team studied the chickadees’ diet, health and reproductive success over a six-year period, comparing the effects of supplemental foods to the birds’ natural diet. They also measured the birds’ body condition and reproductive success, and monitored their behavior.
The results showed that the birds did not suffer any negative effects from being fed by humans, as long as the food was appropriate for the species and the feeders were placed in areas that were not heavily trafficked by humans. The research also showed that the birds’ diet was not significantly impacted by the supplemental food.
The findings could have implications for other bird species in urban areas, where humans increasingly come into contact with wildlife. Benjamin Sonnenberg, a biologist/behavioral ecologist who co-authored the study, emphasized the importance of following the guidelines for feeding birds responsibly.
“Our research suggests that providing supplemental food in a responsible way can be a positive experience for both birds and humans,” Sonnenberg said.
2023-02-10 14:29:48
Original from phys.org
Recently published research conducted by scientists in the Lake Tahoe area show that providing food to bears should be discouraged but that birds can be fed.
The research conducted at Lake Tahoe found that providing food to bears can have detrimental impacts to their behavior. Feeding encourages animals to become accustomed to, and even dependent upon, the presence of humans. This can create dangerous situations, as it can lead to animals that are too comfortable around people and are willing to approach humans that are unaware of the potential danger. Additionally, the food that is provided to bears by humans can make bears more prone to disease and can disrupt the overall balance of the local ecosystem.
On the other hand, the research conducted at Lake Tahoe found that providing food to bird populations in the area is generally an acceptable practice. The research suggested that providing supplemental food to birds, can help ensure that the bird populations in the region stay at healthy levels and help support the larger biodiversity in the area.
In conclusion, the recent research conducted around Lake Tahoe suggests that while feeding birds is generally an acceptable practice, feeding bears should be discouraged. The research indicates that feeding bears can cause negative side effects and can significantly disrupt the balance of the local ecosystem.