Bird feeding abroad.

[Wild-Woman]

Not ones for travelling abroad much and because today and tomorrow (hint hint) is the Big Garden Bird Watch, I just wondered how foreign countries matched up to us for bird feeding.
The Brits are definitely doing a sterling job of doing their best for our feathered friends, in many a garden. It's easy to tell just by looking at the standard of feeding stations and garden bird action here on WAB.
Do foreign countries routinely feed like us and if they do what do they use and what species do they get?

[camo]

Hi Wild Woman

I have some experience travelling but have only noticed bird feeders in Scandinavia and the Azores (never saw the Az bullfinch). On a trip to Norway's Arctic tundra the small town we stayed in had feeders in some of the gardens. at the time they were mainly feeding Snow Buntings. The feeders were probably more basic than I would use and the food limited to mixed seed, however my experience was very limited.

In Africa and India (out of the city) the local's main focus was on survival so their first priority is to try and feed their families, feeding the birds is not an option. Having said that the bird life was great and certainly maintained on a natural diet. This does not mean the local's do not respect or are not knowledgable of birds.

I strongly suspect that across the world, bird feeding is only an option where the family has enough food on their own table. In Britain we live in a very protected state and bird feeding as a luxury option is clealry common.

Therefore Bird feeding as we know it is linked to usable income.


Roy

[Paul mabbott]

Perhaps you should ask on the sibling site?
Wild About The World - Powered by vBulletin

[aeshna5]

In the US + Canada they are big on garden (or yard) feeding with the feeders like we do , but also feeders for hummingbirds which are very popular. I think artificial butterfly feeders are more used over there too.

I haven't noticed bird feeding that common in other parts of the world- but then in much of Africa + parts of Asia there are enough problems feeding the human population.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

In the US + Canada they are big on garden (or yard) feeding with the feeders like we do

Oz and NZ too.

Cheers,

Adam

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Oz and NZ too.

Cheers,

Adam

Interesting- I've only visited WA + didn't see too much evidence of feeding, but given their origins it doesn't surprise me.

[nakedgardener]

Have a look at Webcam in the Forest - Wildlife Focus for a bird table in Ecuador (it's down at the mo' but look later!)

And James Reserve Webcams for a peek at Californian birds

[bob.phillips]

Not much in Spain ( or at least the out of the way places I visit ). I couldn't buy wild bird food from the local supermarket.

Bob P.

[tameblackbirds]

Originally Posted by bob.phillips

Not much in Spain ( or at least the out of the way places I visit ). I couldn't buy wild bird food from the local supermarket.

Bob P.

Don't they shoot a lot of birds there, especially song birds?

[bob.phillips]

Originally Posted by tameblackbirds

Don't they shoot a lot of birds there, especially song birds?

I think they do in some parts of Spain - though I think it's more prevalent in Malta - They certainly don't shoot them where I visit. Maybe the odd wild boar!!!!

Bob P.