OK, I know it is totally stupid, but...
Is it possible to overfeed garden birds?
Whenever I look at pictures of birds, I get worried because the birds in my garden all look much, much fatter. I read somewhere that birds do fluff up a bit in the winter, but that wouldn't seem to account for the big difference between my birds and the ones I see in pictures.
I have got quite a few feeders dotted around with different stuff on offer (seed, suet, livefood), and the garden itself probably offers fairly good pickings thanks to my 'wildlife friendly' (i.e. lazy) approach to gardening; but looking other folks' pics on the forums, I don't think I've got loads more feeders than anyone else.
Is it unhealthy for a bird to be fat, like it is for us? Or should I stop being completely neurotic?
BB
I'm no expert, but I think this is the time of year when birds use most energy with all their displays and nest building so I think they need all the food they can get. I don't think birds are like us and carry on eating when they are full.
I am sure however that there will be someone with more knowledge that can give you a definitive answer.
Sarah
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bramble67/
At this time of the year our birds need all the help they can get from us. As the year progresses they won't need as much from us so you will find that as time moves on you will get less visitors to your garden. Even those that do visit will not feed as much and this will be due to natural food becoming more abundant. It is still very cold for the time of year and what you are seeing is probably air and feathers. They will only eat as much as they need
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Your birds will still be 'fluffing up'. I know mine are as there is still an extremely cold wind. Birds are burning their energy up so quickly that they need to eat to maintain weight/ energy/ keep warm. Do stop worrying and enjoy seeing them.
I do enjoy seeing them, but I promise to stop worrying.
Well, about bird fatness at least. I'm sure I will find something else to obsess about very soon!