When we moved back to Kahala, into the home where I grew up (after substantial renovations), I soon started feeding the birds.
My mom filled a bird feeder somewhat regularly, and also threw out scraps of old bread, fruit, or other edible items.
I tried to go out about the same time in the late afternoon each day, or every other day, and the birds soon watched for me (and the food) to make our appearance.
Back in early 2017, I commented that the population of birds in this residential neighborhood is much different than it used to be (“What happened to the sparrows?“).
After a couple of years of feeding the birds, here’s what happened. The population of doves that showed up at feeding time increased dramatically, more than doubling in that period. The pair of Brazilian cardinals had several sets of babies, and a few of those would visit. A few additional mynahs joined the party. But the doves outnumbered all the rest by far, and seem to be reproducing much faster.
It’s still very rare to spot a sparrow, a linnet, or a even the java sparrows which seem to thrive in other nearby areas where we walk in the mornings.
Then one day a nice plump pigeon flow down as I was putting food out. That caught my attention. The last thing I want is a flock of pushy pigeons showing up in our yard every day, or sitting around on the roof of the house waiting for feeding time.
When the pigeons showed up, I decided things had gotten out of hand. I enjoy my feathered friends, but…I’ve stopped feeding the birds, at least for now. The cardinals still appear on our back deck from time to time, checking if I’ll toss something out to them. But the other birds quickly changed their routines and no longer hang around waiting for handouts.
Costco sells a lot of those bags of bird seed, so there are plenty of people who get into this. Are there pros and cons of feeding the birds in your own yard? I would be interested in other experiences and perspectives.
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Speaking of birds, we have a Plover who sat out this years trip back to Alaska, preferring to hang out in our neighborhood, Probably decided it was time to retire in Hawaii. We see him every morning in our yard and sometimes in the evening.,
This morning I cooked up a half bag of outdated couscous and threw it out to the feral chickens. I like the feral chickens as they eat insects, especially centipedes and scorpions. When the flock gets too big we trap and my boyfriend takes them to work (Turtle Bay Golf course) where his fellow employees take them home. I indirectly feed a flock of small finches (not mejiro) who get my figs, before I get a chance. My neighbor has a flock of Java finches who are nesting in their eaves. The occasional Shama Thrush will sing and click to us. We also have a large number of Myna birds who roost in our neighbors forest. Only 3 mynas hang in our yard during the day, but at dusk the symphany starts up. They are also great watch birds, because if anything disturbs them at night they wake up me up with their screams. As with any neighborhood issue, being a good neighbor is the most important. Since we live on an acre of beachfront property with no real neighbors, we pretty much do what makes us happy and feeding the chickens make us happy. If I lived back in Kapahulu and my neighbor was feeding a flock of doves and they were roosting on my eaves, that would not make me happy and I would get real unhappy with my neighbor.
My husband loved to feed the birds (has dementia and one thing he could do) but we had a huge influx of doves and pigeons (flying rats) and as you say, our java sparrows are rare. Do have a few mynahs, and Brazilian cardinals and bulbuls. We do have a shama thrush show up part of the year….such a beautiful song. However, I told my husband the birds were making me sick and he willingly gave up the feeding….my neighbors were also grateful. I loved the little sparrows, though. Wish more of them would return.
Your bird experience sounds very familiar although the pigeons haven’t discovered my yard yet. I’ve thrown out birdseed in the morning for years, there used to be various kinds of birds that would come and eat. The doves have long since taken over and other birds rarely show up. I see java sparrows down my driveway so I know they’r still around. I tried to get tricky and bought a little birdhouse feeder that only the more agile birds can stand on to eat. They love it – the cardinals mostly, but they knock the seed out of the tray so the doves hang out underneath the feeder, which is empty in 2 days, so no sense fill it up too often. Lucky Costco seed is cheap. Is it wrong to feed them? Nah. Doves are pretty boring but I like that there are birds hanging out, even though they did eat more than their share of mangos this year.
Doves are the Klem Kadiddlehoppers of the bird world: the duh-going-about-life-unaware gang. They certainly do outnumber the other birds who sing, are colorful and hop, rather than strut.
Our Moiliili Community Garden monitor fills the curb w/water and puts out seed to mainly, doves. Those w/the triangular beaks are supposed to be seed eaters, but have learned to eat greens like kale because seed in shorter supply.
I used to feed the birds in my backyard until the pigeons and doves took over. What was worse we always left the back screen door open about 6 inches so the dogs could go outside. The doves started coming inside looking for food. The open sliding door worked because they walked in but they couldn’t fly out. I’d come into the kitchen to find bird poop all over the place and having to chase the bird around.
No more feeding. Too bad.
NO. No. We had a tenant who bot costco birdseeds to feed birds but attracted large rats too, infesting inside house and complaints from neighbors. Doves are flying rats.
I don’t feed the neighborhood birds, but I do provide them with water via a bird bath and they in turn provide me with a little entertainment!
FYI. In 2013, a law passed bans the excessive feeding of feral birds. The Hawaii State Department of Health can order a person to stop or insist that the mess be removed by an outside party. Violators can also be fined up to $10,000 per offense. I think the key word is excessive and like most State agencies, no one is gonna go out and look for it until someone complains. I live in Kalauao above Aiea High School and we still have sparrows, mejiros, bulbuls, cardinals, bar doves, spotted doves, and once in a while the Shama Thrush. My Kolea just came back last week! Yes, I feed the birds cuz I dont like food to go to waste.