Bird-lovers in
the Midlands are running the risk of killing ducks, geese and swans – with
kindness
By being fed
bread the birds can develop a health condition which can prevent them from
flying.
As a result,
victims might be unable to seek out more nutritious natural food, and could
eventually starve to death.
Bird experts
are warning well-meaning families to stop throwing starchy scraps to ducks,
geese and swans on park ponds, lakes and rivers in the region.
They say that
it is much better to give them properly balanced food which is easy and cheap
to buy.
Grahame Madge,
of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said: “Feeding ducks on
the park pond – or geese and swans on rivers – has become a long-established
favourite pastime for many people, especially parents with young children.
“It is an
excellent way for the public to have contact with birdlife and for toddlers to
learn to appreciate ducks, geese and swans later in life.
“But feeding
bread – or we’ve often seen chips – to birds can lead to them developing health
problems.
“Food thrown
into the water, but not eaten, can also cause difficulties with nutrient
build-up in the water, especially in closed water like ponds and lakes.
“We don’t want
to stop people from feeding ducks, geese and swans but they should consider
buying properly balanced food which is available from pet shops or from vets.
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