Large populations of wild birds depend on human feeding for survival.
This is particularly important in harsh winter environments where food is scarce.
This doesn’t apply to Hong Kong, but there is some evidence that feeding of birds throughout the year increases bird populations, hence the RSPB changed their stance on Summer feeding.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/he ... ing/whentofeed.aspx
I would argue that anything that increases populations of birds is of interest to birders. Having said this, feeding in Hong Kong is very low down on the list of important birding issues compared to habit destruction.
Using the avian flu argument as a reason for not feeding birds is scaremongering.
Avian flu is largely a disease caused by human farming practices. Exposure to poultry or domestic ducks, is the only documented means of transfer to humans ie I don’t think there has been any known cases of transfer from wild birds to humans without going via a domestic bird population ( - certainly there will never be any cases of Bluethroats or Red flanked Bluetails causing human fatalities!!)
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/avian_influenza/en/
In summary.
Feed if you like, it’s not a big issue.
You are unlikely to be doing any harm.
You may even be doing some good.
Keep your feeding means hygienic – ie clean feeders, trays, pools, bird baths regularly.
Don't pick up dead birds.
eRic
