Stop feeding wild birds, says rehabilitator
Carlyn Berry Hattingh has discouraged feeding wild birds as it makes them accustomed to human foods, most of which are harmful to them.
AS more birds are being adversely affected by their interaction with humans, an Amanzimtoti bird rehabilitator has made suggestions about how this could be mitigated.
Carlyn Berry Hattingh has discouraged feeding wild birds as it makes them accustomed to human foods, most of which are harmful to them.
“There’s a big problem with people feeding Woolly-necked storks cheese, polony, bone meal, pets mince, mince and viennas. This is unhealthy because birds cannot eat dairy,” she said.
She said while those who feed them are just doing it out of kindness, the birds become used to humans and rely on them for food which puts them in harm’s way of other humans and their dogs.
She said those who still want to continue feeding the storks can give them raw chopped chicken necks, but not daily.
ALSO READ: Don’t miss out on the final Crocworld Frogging Evening
She advised those with home bird feeders to give the birds a break from time to time to allow them to be independent and forage for a natural balanced diet.
Recently, Carlyn was part of an effort at the Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary to try and catch a hadeda that had a plastic cap around its neck and mouth. The hadeda flew away and has not been found.
