We often hear it said feeding birds in our yards exposes wild birds to more danger than they face elsewhere. Have you ever wondered if this is true? According to Project FeederWatch, data collected by thousands of volunteers, such is not the case.
Since 1987, the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology, Bird Studies Canada, the National Audubon Society, and the Canadian Nature Federation have joined hands to conduct a continent-wide survey to bird feeding. Each year more than 10,000 volunteers collect and submit data on the bird feeding activities in their yards.
One of the many things the study has revealed is the birds that feed in our backyards are not facing any greater risks than they are exposed to at other locations. Project FeederWatch data have revealed that throughout the course of a winter, on the average, only one bird death per every two feeders takes place, for any reason (predation, disease, and accidents). This is considerably lower than the researchers’ prediction that at least four or five birds would die per feeder over the course of a winter. Actually, the mortality rate turned out to be a tenth of what was predicted. 
It is interesting to note, roughly 35-40% of all songbirds die annually.
I sure you agree it is good to know our backyard feeders are far from death traps for the valued backyard neighbors.
Our yard is made of branches and twigs to make 3 houses for the birds. We also have ‘high rises’ made out lumber, bricks, and whatever else we can find to shelter our visiting birds. Mostly, we feed the birds seed, vegetables, peanuts, and mixture made with nuts and almond flour. We have been doing this for three years, and each year, we find less dead birds in our yard. We attribute this to the birds getting fresh water, and three to four meals a day. Yes, we do have kites and hawks visiting everyday, however, because the birds are healthier, they are more alert.
We live in Northern Nevada, so it is cold in the winter, and hot in the summer. And yes, like all bird lovers, we do spoil our visitors.
In the last few weeks, we have had few birds at our feeders, as there is a hawk who frequents the area our feeders are in, flying through, and even perching in a tree and on one feeder pole for a whole morning. 🙁