14/08/2026
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Now we know these post might ruffle some feathers. 🪶 But please hear us out.
Feeding wildlife might seem harmless but it causes issues that aren't always easy to see. The harsh reality is; feeding wildlife often leads to their death. Not straight away but over time. This is the part that doesn't get seen.
It's impossible to know how many people are feeding a wild animal food, so even though it might seem like they are only getting a small amount of human food, there very well could be other people feeding it too.
Metabolic bone diseases is a painful, often fatal skeletal condition caused by severe calcium depletion, phosphorus imbalance, and a lack of proper nutrients. It is triggered primarily by humans feeding birds improper scraps like minced meat, bread, cheese, or pet food. Often birds end up feeding this to their young, who are then also affected. Wildlife carers see this all too often.
Feeding birds can also spread disease because so many birds are coming together in a small space, eating and pooping on bird feeders, and in small spaces. With H5N1 now in Australia, it's important that birds aren't unnecessarily close together, especially in a non-natural setting.
Feeding wildlife can also make them overly reliant on humans, and also humanise them. We don't want animals to lose their natural foraging skills or to learn that humans are "safe", unfortunately this makes them vulnerable.
So what is the best way to support wildlife?
Have a wildlife friendly garden! This brings bugs, pollen, seeds and habitat for wildlife! By doing this you are directly supporting wildlife and a healthy ecosystem.
* It is an offence in Western Australia to feed native fauna, including birds, without a licence. Fines of up to $20,000 are part of updated regulations under Section 155 of the West Australian Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
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