[FLORIDABIRDS-L] The Ethics of Feeding Scrub Jays
Subject: [FLORIDABIRDS-L] The Ethics of Feeding Scrub Jays
From: Scott Simmons
Date: Thu, Feb 9, 2012, 5:42 PM
Recently I was at Merritt Island and came across 4 FL Scrub Jays at the
Scrub Ridge Trail. There were people there photographing them, and, after
seeing peanuts in the grass, I became pretty sure they had fed them peanuts
(though it's possible that they just happened upon the scene just like I
did). I photographed one jay fly up to the finger of one individual and
then jump up to his hat. I was pretty irritated when I noticed the peanuts
on the ground not far from signs prohibiting feeding scrub jays. So
recently i decided to write a blog post on why not to feed scrub jays (
http://www.learnoutdoorphotography.com/2012/02/florida-scrub-jay.html). I
listed three reasons not to feed them, including altering their diet,
making them dependent on humans, and making them more visible to predators.
The comments I received were favorable and even offered a couple other
reasons. But a couple people emailed me with objections, basically
different ways of asking "what's the harm?"
I was wondering if any of you had other insights on the matter so that I
can (gently) respond to these emails.
Thanks,
Scott Simmons
Winter Park, FL
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