Why I chose habitat over feeders at the Dodson Bird Observatory
For many years, like millions of other people, I put out bird feeders. I enjoyed watching chickadees, cardinals, nuthatches, and woodpeckers come and go, especially during the winter months. Feeders can be a wonderful way to introduce people—especially children—to birds and to nature.
But for the past two years, I have made a conscious decision not to put out bird feeders at the Dodson Bird Observatory.
That decision wasn’t made lightly, and it wasn’t because I stopped caring about birds. In fact, it was made because I care about them more—and because my understanding of stewardship has continued to evolve.
The Question That Stuck With Me
I recently read an article published by the National Wildlife Federation titled “Who Really Benefits from Bird Feeders?” It raised an important and sometimes uncomfortable question:
Are bird feeders primarily benefiting birds—or are they mostly benefiting us?
That question lingered with me because it aligned with concerns I had already been wrestling with, particularly around avian influenza (bird flu) and the unintended consequences of concentrating birds in small areas.
Bird Feeders and Disease Risk
Bird feeders, by their very nature, bring birds together—often species that wouldn’t normally congregate so closely in the wild. When food is concentrated, birds linger longer, interact more frequently, and share surfaces.
During periods when bird flu is present in wild populations, this clustering can increase the risk of disease transmission. While feeders are not the sole cause of avian flu, they can act as amplifiers, especially when not cleaned frequently or when birds are stressed.
Rather than trying to manage that risk through constant cleaning and monitoring, I chose a simpler path: step back and remove the attractant altogether.
Shifting from Feeding Birds to Supporting Birds
What I didn’t do was abandon birds.
Instead, I doubled down on something I believe is ultimately far more important: creating and protecting habitat.
At the Dodson Bird Observatory, that has meant:
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Letting portions of the landscape grow naturally
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Encouraging native vegetation
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Reducing mowing
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Allowing seed heads, leaf litter, and brushy edges to remain
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Accepting a landscape that looks a little messier—but functions a lot better
This approach supports birds year-round, not just when seed is available. It provides:
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Natural food sources
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Shelter from predators and weather
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Nesting opportunities
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Insects for breeding season protein
Most importantly, it allows birds to behave more like birds.
Observation Without Manipulation
One of the quieter benefits of stepping away from feeders is that it has changed how I observe birds.
Instead of waiting for them to come to a feeder on my schedule, I watch:
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Where they choose to forage
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How they move through the landscape
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Which plants they rely on
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How seasonal changes affect their presence
In many ways, it has made birdwatching more interesting—and more honest.
This Isn’t an Anti-Feeder Manifesto
I want to be clear: this is not a declaration that bird feeders are bad or that people should feel guilty for using them.
Feeders can:
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Spark curiosity and care for nature
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Help birds during extreme weather events
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Provide accessibility for people who can’t create habitat
But they should be seen as a tool, not a substitute for habitat.
If we truly care about birds, the long-term solution isn’t more seed—it’s more functioning ecosystems, even if they start in our own backyards.
A Personal Stewardship Choice
My decision to stop using bird feeders was a personal stewardship choice, shaped by concern, observation, and a desire to do less to nature and more for it.
At the Dodson Bird Observatory, the goal isn’t to attract birds—it’s to give them a place where they can thrive on their own terms.
Sometimes, the most responsible action isn’t adding something new.
Sometimes, it’s knowing when to step aside.
