Black-bellied Whistling Ducklings
Feeding birds or any wildlife in Wildewood is not allowed. When I lived in the midwest, I had several bird feeders. So I was surprised to hear that I could not have a bird feeder as a resident of Wildewood.
Here is one reason - an animal becomes acclimated to humans in an adverse wildlife-human interaction and often depends upon the supplemental feeding to survive.
"Feeding wild animals is becoming a significant problem in Florida," said Gary Morse, public information officer for FWC's Southeast Region. 'When people feed wildlife, the animals become less wary of humans in general.'"
Another reason is that feeding disrupts migration cycles. For example, the educator at Wildlife, Inc. said in a presentation in Pineneedle Village, that if geese are fed and they miss their migration, they remain here. I counted 43 geese who should have headed north on the big pond this summer.
One individual feeding wildlife causes additional problems for an entire neighborhood. The spillage attracts other wildlife such as mice or rats and when that happens, some place poison bait boxes which poisons the birds eating the vermin. I've seen the effects of rat poison in a sick Barred Owl - it is a cruel death.
Some birds are specially protected in Florida. Like the Sandhill Cranes.
We are so fortunate to live in a habitat rich with plantings and fish, one that supports the harmony of life cycles. Please help spread the word about not feeding birds in Wildewood, and encourage your neighbors to support the planting of Florida and wildlife friendly plants.
