question about feeding birds

[ellenrr]

This winter I've been feeding the birds who arrive at my window. I read somewhere that if I stop feeding them too soon they'll starve.
I don't want to continue to feed them, once they can find food.
Can someone tell me how do I know when the time has arrived that I can stop?

ie - if the dirt is unfrozen so they can find worms, if the plants are up,
what are the signs I should look for?

I live in NJ, zone 7a (used to be 6b)

thanks,
ellen

[GoCubsGo]

1. They are not going to starve.

They've been surviving for thousands of years without humans filling bird feeders for them. They will survive now. Trust me, they know how to fend for themselves.

[fadedrose]

2. That's hard to answer...

Every year there are more roads and homes put up, trees have been cut or damaged by storms and lightening. Weather patterns - tornadoes, draughts, floods, etc., affect quite a few migrators, not to mention insecticides, etc.

As long as they're coming, give them a bit. Soon they'll be nesting and laying eggs and feeding the young. Nothing more fun than when they bring a young one and you see them put food in their little open mouths.

Many birds are on the decline. I read where blue jays are on the short list, but ours are thriving thanks to peanuts.

In my "park" more and more homes have been built taking up quite a few of the empty grassy spans.

Do what your conscience and good sense tell you. Stop feeding, see what happens, and then decide.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. Usually, I would say that when you see insects,

natural food sources are easier for the birds to find.

I feed all year, it is my entertainment budget to buy seed. But really, the birds don't need us.....or at least not one individual if you don't want to feed anymore. (I cannot figure out why, since I love to see all the birds come to my feeders, but that is me. )

[ellenrr]

4. the reason why they might starve

is bec. certain birds which would normally fly south for the winter, if they are fed by humans, they stick around. So they do not know how to fend for themselves in the winter.

also re the birds disappearing:
The World conservation Union estimates that 1 in 8 birds are in danger of disappearing for ever, due to climate change, and loss of habitat.
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2007/05/gone