Discussions

birds around in the winter.  
Is he trying to feed wildlife like jack rabbits or deer? Because that is not allowed.

i have a bird feeder filled with seed all year round, there is still birds here in the winter. As for the bread, probably for the deer, bad for the birds !!

I don’t see the harm in what he’s doing? There are lots of birds still around. Not all species of birds are migratory. I’d be concerned if he was out in -40 weather with no winter clothes on etc. Leave him alone. He most likely is bored and needing something to do and looks forward to feeding the birds every day.

Agreed with another poster. Birds are around all year long, they don’t all migrate to other places or warmer climates. I had a family member who fed the birds all year long, like clockwork, every morning at 8am, and every evening at 5:30, 6ish he would go dump some more seed in the yard and it didn’t matter if it was -40 or +35, raining or snowing, those birds were fed.  
 
Why not get to know your older neighbor? Maybe they like birds.

I'm concerned about your eyes. you haven't seen any birds around? We put suet out for the 15 or so birds that live in our backyard, year round lol

Stop him, the birds that he is feeding are now dependent on him and his food source.  
If a person stops their feeding program in the wintertime the birds will probably die of starvation.  
Had he stoped his feeding program mid fall time the birds would have found a natural food source for the winter.  
I would assume there could be 10-20 birds dependent his source of food.

Here's what the good people at the Oak Hammock Marsh say about wintering birds: The birds that spend the winter in Manitoba belong to a variety of groups. They i:nclude: grouse, hawks, owls, pigeons, woodpeckers, crows and jays, chickadees, nuthatches, waxwings, shrikes, sparrows, and finches.

itisjustme said "Bread is not good for birds, there is very little nutrition. Birds need seeds not bread "

Could be said for everyone who feeds their pets junk food brands of pet food. Just because it's not good for them doesn't mean people won't do it. I am however a firm believer fed is best. He's not hurting anything and he probably enjoys watching them. A little bread isn't going to hurt them.

Why not go over with a cup of coffee when he is there. Talk to him about it. You might just find he likes watching the birds or squirrels. He's really not in any imminent danger. Be cool.

Joe1 said "I have this neighbor, kind of an older guy. I'm worried about him.     He's been putting out food for the birds every morning, but it's winter and there are no birds, they're all in Florida or whatever.     He's out there every day with the bread, sometimes seed. I go to check sometimes when it isn't too cold and it's mostly bread but sometimes seed.     I'm wondering who I should call about this, I'm worried something is wrong. I thought about leaving a note about the birds and winter and such in his mailbox but you know how it is. Any advice? "

are you more concerned with his state of mind, if he is older?  
 
If so, next time you see him out there, go have a chat with him.

Lots of people feed & buy bird seed right now ask any store that sells it!  
My neighbors don't feed the birds but we have lots of them all year long even in the winter .

Joe1 said "I have this neighbor, kind of an older guy. I'm worried about him.     He's been putting out food for the birds every morning, but it's winter and there are no birds, they're all in Florida or whatever.     He's out there every day with the bread, sometimes seed. I go to check sometimes when it isn't too cold and it's mostly bread but sometimes seed.     I'm wondering who I should call about this, I'm worried something is wrong. I thought about leaving a note about the birds and winter and such in his mailbox but you know how it is. Any advice? "

Mind your own business, we often feed the birds and YES there are birds around still. Perhaps it's you they should be concerned for

I have birds of all kinds. Winter Ravens the size of Pterodactyls. They will eat anything. I am not putting out food to encourage them.  
 
Had a Robin in the back yard a few days ago.

some research on Manitoba birds & get outside more & observe your surroundings .

So everyone needs to stop dumping on the OP. He is just concerned about his fellow neighbor. OP, my great uncle has a small pen hidden next to his fence that he feeds the local jack rabbits. He thinks they are hungry, so be it they just might be. It's illegal but he is of sound mind and body. I wish I live long enough to have time to be worried about the birds and jack rabbits in my neighborhood. Oh and go say hi, he probably has some great stories.

I am wondering if there is more to the concern that him just out feeding the birds. Is he wearing proper clothing? Does he appear confused? Have you talked to him and believe there is more than just feeding the birds in winter??  
I agree with other posters that this isn''t strange behavior. If this is what you are basing your concern on I don''t think you need to worry. My dad had his wits about him and fed the birds year round. You concern is probably appreciated by any family he has but I don''t think this is odd behavior.  
Is there something else that makes you believe he might be struggling on his own?  
Maybe you should go and let him know you are there if he needs anything. He might just be lonely and like watching the birds. Maybe a visit and a coffee would make you both feel better.  
 
Edited by wheatcitygirl, 2018-02-23 09:25:15

We have had a Robin in our back yard all winter eating from the fruit trees!

You are concerned about your neighbor because he feeds the birds in the winter? We have lots of birds that don’t fly south. Just leave the guy alone. Oh boy! Lol

Lowkey said "Stop him, the birds that he is feeding are now dependent on him and his food source.   If a person stops their feeding program in the wintertime the birds will probably die of starvation.   Had he stoped his feeding program mid fall time the birds would have found a natural food source for the winter.   I would assume there could be 10-20 birds dependent his source of food. "

they will not die of starvation. Umm...birds can fly and find other food sources if their "usual" food source is depleted, just like any other wild animals. Sheesh....

I dont think birds or squirrels are the concern. I think its the concern for the neighbors well being. I would love to have a neighbor like that.

If the OP has concerns about the neighbor's mental or physical health, sorry, but the post does not indicate that. The OP sure gives the impression that the concern for the guy's mental health hinges only on the fact that he is feeding birds that the OP believes do not exist...because it is winter. Perhaps we should be concerned for the OP and have someone check on him/her...because it is not rational to think all birds leave Manitoba in winter.

Buy some bird seed and join the fun. Buy different seeds to see what you attract. Then compare notes with the fella.  
 
My birds only eat about half of what is there and toss the rest.

Pun intended.  
 
I suspect that OP is trolling.  
 
Scotsman, my winter birds always kick out any wheat seeds in the seed mix. But that''''s OK, teach me not to buy cheap bird seed. Or is it ''cheep'' bird seed, pun intended.  
 
I feed the many winter birds for my own satisfaction: the variety is truly amazing. And it provides entertainment for our two house cats.  
 
Edited by plane watcher, 2018-02-23 17:38:04

well, an older gentleman and I feed the birds every day - I have nuthatches (two kinds), chickadees, Blue Jays, two kinds of Woodpeckers, Grosbeaks, magpies (grrr - -lol) and often several other birds. What makes you think all birds go south for the winter? Leave the old guy alone. Or, talk to him about what birds he sees or hopes to see!!

We have an older gentleman friend who feeds the birds all winter, every time I go over for coffee he tells me he has between 100 and 200 red poles every day, they eat lots of canola so a few of us will give him 5 gallon pails full when he needs it. He absolutely enjoys feeding them.  
In ou backyard we put out full cobs of corn for the blue jays, and canola with sunflower seeds for the pair of chickadees, pair of nuthatches, 25 red poles, and one hairy wood pecker. It's fun watching the bluejays sit on the rolly cob of corn and pull seeds off, each of the 5 of them taking their turn.  
Just got off the winter roads, saw two birds and one rabbit in four days, can't wait till morning to watch our little backyard friends.  
Thankfully we live just out of town, I can do whatever I want without someone scrutinizing my every move.  
If your interested in feeding the birds do it consistently till winter is done and put out a different food source than your neighbor to attract different birds. This might give you something to talk about

hurting nothing , if that is the litmus test to see if we should be worried about a neighbour, think we're all in big trouble.  
 
unless he is struggling in deep snow, or going out without proper attire, he is just a fellow that likes to feed the wildlife. could be lonely as well is he alone in the house?  
 
personally i wish we had more squirrels around, much more entertaining than birds. But i feed them both and let them squabble about the seeds.

Advice; if the OP were outside more he might know there are birds around all winter.  
 
Allie Cat-you would love this Joe as a neighbor if he sicced the health care authorities on you for feeding the birds in winter.