Here’s my cynical take on a bird article printed on the website of a national nonprofit agency whose mission has nothing to do with birds. I won’t reveal the agency to protect the innocent.

The headline grabbed my attention, which is what headlines are supposed to do, I guess. It read: 7 Reasons to Think Twice Before Getting a Bird-feeder.

Right away, I knew I wouldn’t like the article, but I figured I would read it anyway and at least give it a chance. I was right, of course, but at least I can say I gave it a fair shot.

The article makes some good points, but, in my opinion, it misses the mark for the most part. It basically picks apart the hobby of feeding birds and outlines every possible negative scenario.

It’s like saying you should avoid building model airplanes because you might get glue on your fingers. Well, of course, you might, but you take precautions so that doesn’t happen, and if it does, then you wash your hands.

Or, you should avoid gardening because it might make your back ache, or you might dig up some insects that are scary-looking. Well, if your back starts to hurt, then stop for a while. If you see a scary insect, get over it because you know that’s inherent to the hobby.

Anyway, here are the seven reasons why this article urges you to think twice about feeding birds. I will make my cynical comments after each one.

1. Bird feeders are messy. Birds flick seeds on the ground and leave behind remnants of the seeds they do eat. 

No kidding. Clean up the seeds and shells under the feeder if you don’t want to look at them. 

2. There’s a lot of upkeep. Bird feeders need to be kept clean just like our dishes and utensils. 

I agree that they need to be kept clean to prevent the spread of disease. The article recommends cleaning them with a 10% bleach to 90% water solution every 7 to ten days. To me, that doesn’t seem like such an onerous task that it would make me think twice about getting a bird feeder and miss out on the enjoyment it brings. 

3. They can be pricey.

Yes, it can be pricey. But it doesn’t have to be. You don’t have to buy the most expensive feeders and seeds. I think everyone knows that they should spend what they feel comfortable with. Nyjer seeds are expensive, so I don’t buy them often. Instead, I buy less expensive types of seeds like black oil sunflower. Don’t skimp too much, though, and buy the cheap seed mixes that only sparrows like.

4. Sick birds can infect one another.

True, but regular cleaning, which has already been covered in number 2, can help diminish the possibility. Also, pandemic-like outbreaks among wild birds are rare. A few years ago, several bird and conservation groups recommended pausing bird feeding because of an outbreak. That’s the first time I can remember that happening in my lifetime. To me, it’s like saying people shouldn’t ever go to concerts or amusement parks or the grocery store because someone might be sick and infect everyone. 

5. Bird feeders attract unwanted critters. Squirrels, chipmunks and raccoons are also attracted to feeders, and rats and mice may get into your seed supply.

Again, for me, the rewards of bird feeding far outweigh the occasional run-in with these critters. Squirrels and chipmunks can be really annoying, but they are basically harmless and can actually be fun to watch sometimes. My worst experience came when I left a bag of sunflower seeds in my three-season porch, and pantry moths got in. That was not a fun experience, to say the least, but I learned from it and didn’t do that again. Bears, which the article does not mention, are another legitimate concern, depending on where one lives, but winter bird feeding is still a possibility.

6. They bring health concerns. Bird feeders can spread disease and even cause an increase in ticks in the area as they fall off the birds. 

This is basically a repeat of numbers 2 and 4. Again, keep the feeders clean. As far as ticks are concerned, I’ve never heard that before and am skeptical about that assertion. 

7. They can harm local wildlife. Birds can crash into windows if the feeders are not placed properly and non-native species like starlings are attracted to feeders.

Well, starlings don’t need bird feeders to be a nuisance. I’ve seen plenty of starlings in places without feeders. And, yes, it is recommended that feeders be placed within three feet or more than 30 feet of windows to avoid strikes.

The article seemingly attempts to throw cold water on a hobby enjoyed by more than 50 million people, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. To me, the reasons are flimsy at best. It takes worst-case scenarios and tries to paint them as regular occurrences. 

I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean I’m never going to leave the house. Yes, bird feeding does carry some responsibility and expense and does take some effort, but it’s one hundred percent worth it. The only thing I’m thinking twice about is visiting that website again. 

The bird world is amazing. If you’re reading this column, you likely already know that, but every once in a while something reminds me of just how incredible birds really are.

The other day, March 11 to be exact, I heard the song I’ve been waiting to hear for months: the unmistakable two-syllable song of the eastern phoebe. Like many birds, phoebes say their name, a raspy “fee-bee.”

I turned my head toward the song and instantly saw the smallish songbird perched on a telephone wire. Of course, the bird was bobbing its tail as phoebes almost always do.

It was the first phoebe I saw this year, or my FOY (first of year) phoebe in birding lingo. It came on one of the unseasonably warm days we had, and I wasn’t overly surprised to see the bird. Still, it seemed a bit early for the phoebe to be back in New England, so I checked my eBird account to see when I saw my FOY last year.

Sure enough, it was March 11. The first phoebe I saw occurred on the same exact calendar day as last year. In October of last year, this bird left New England for southern U.S. or Mexico. Sometime in February it began its journey back north and arrived at my place of work on the same day as last year. Of course, I can’t tell with all certainty it’s the same bird, but I’d like to think so.

A ton of snow followed by prolonged freezing temperatures can spell disaster for birds. Luckily, birds have developed several survival strategies to cope with such conditions.

There are several factors at play in these conditions. I will focus mostly on finding food but will address some of the others quickly. 

First, there is the cold. Birds survive freezing temperatures through adaptations that conserve heat and energy. Feathers provide excellent insulation, and many birds maximize this by fluffing their feathers to trap warm air close to their bodies. Birds also have a high metabolic rate, which is fueled by energy-rich foods such as seeds and fat commonly found at feeders.