Ring Billed Sea Gull

yes , i agree.

On the other hand,here,we are encouraged to leave water and food for the tired and migrating birds!! Ironic as it may sound in some cultures , Feeding birds is encouraged since they are capable of sustaining life!!

It is such a catch 22 situation! It has to change!!

But to stop feeding them so abruptly might create problems for them too. Especially if they are so used to being fed.Maybe some compromise should be reached and they should be fed the appropriate food? or they should be fed less? This question is only for the birds being used to the food.

Feeding Wild Geese and Ducks and gulls is wonderful for our emotional health. I wonder often though if it is equally beneficial and necessary to them. This discussion has left me more puzzled than ever!!

Top 10 Common Foods that Can Poison Your Bird foods that are poisonous to birds toxic treats for bird owners to avoid Because birds are such social creatures, many owners allow their pets to be included at mealtime. While sharing food with your bird is a lot of fun - not to mention wonderful for your pet's emotional health - there are many common human foods that can be harmful or even fatal to your bird. Owners need to know which foods are fine for sharing, and which pose a serious risk. Read on to find out the top ten foods that are hazardous to your bird's health. 1. Chocolate Chocolate is a wonderful treat to share with human family members, but it can be harmful or fatal to your pet bird. Chocolate poisoning first affects a bird's digestive system, causing vomiting and diarrhea. As the condition progresses, the bird's central nervous system is affected, first causing seizures and eventually death. 2. Apple Seeds Believe it or not, apples - along with other members of the rose family including cherries, peaches, apricots, and pears - contain trace amounts of Cyanide within their seeds. While the fruit of the apple is fine for your bird, be aware that in addition to the poisonous seeds, there may be pesticides present on the fruit's skin. Be sure to thoroughly cleanse and core any apple pieces that you share with your bird to avoid exposure to these toxins. 3. Avocado The skin and pit of this popular fruit had been known to cause cardiac distress and eventual heart failure in pet bird species. Although there is some debate to the degree of toxicity of avocados, it is generally advised to adopt a "better safe than sorry" attitude toward them and keep guacomole and other avocado products as far away from pet birds as possible. 4. Onions While the use of limited amounts of onion or garlic powders as flavorings is generally regarded as acceptable, excessive consumption of onions causes vomiting, diarrhea, and a host of other digestive problems. It has been found that prolonged exposure can lead to a blood condition called hemolytic anemia, which is followed by respiratory distress and eventual death. 5. Alcohol Although responsible bird owners would never dream of offering their pet an alcoholic drink, there have been instances in which free roaming birds have attained alcohol poisoning through helping themselves to unattended cocktails. Alcohol depresses the organ systems of birds and can be fatal. Make sure that your bird stays safe by securing him in his cage whenever alcohol is served in your home. 6. Mushrooms Mushrooms are a type of fungus, and have been known to cause digestive upset in companion birds. Caps and stems of some varieties can induce liver failure. 7. Tomato Leaves Tomatoes, like potatoes and other nightshades, have a tasty fruit that is fine when used as a treat for your bird. The stems, vines, and leaves, however, are highly toxic to your pet. Make sure that any time you offer your bird a tomato treat it has been properly cleaned and sliced, with the green parts removed, so that your bird will avoid exposure to any toxins. 8. Salt While all living beings need regulated amounts of sodium in their systems, too much salt can lead to a host of health problems in birds, including excessive thirst, dehydration, kidney dysfunction, and death. Be sure to keep watch over the amount of salty foods your bird consumes. 9. Caffiene Caffinated beverages such as soda, coffee, and tea are popular among people - but allowing your bird to indulge in these drinks can be extremely hazardous. Caffeine causes cardiac malfunction in birds, and is associated with increased heartbeat, arrhythmia, hyperactivity, and cardiac arrest. Share a healthy drink of pure fruit or vegetable juice with your bird instead - this will satisfy both your bird's tastebuds and nutritional requirements. 10. Dried Beans Cooked beans are a favorite treat of many birds, but raw, dry bean mixes can be extremely harmful to your pet. Uncooked beans contain a poison called hemaglutin which is very toxic to birds. To avoid exposure, make sure to thoroughly cook any beans that you choose to share with your bird.

Going to a pond and throwing bits of bread to the flocks of ducks and geese is an enjoyable pastime for many people, but it might not be such a good idea for the birds themselves. Bread can be bad for birds. Nutritional Value Bread has very little nutritional value for wild birds as it contains little to no protein and too much salt. Filling birds up with bread will discourage them from looking for other healthier foods and could lead to stunted growth, malnutrition and other problems. Dependence Birds that are regularly offered bread can become dependent on the easy and unhealthy food source, putting them at risk for starvation if the supply of bread suddenly stops. Health Concerns Feeding bread to birds in the spring can be especially dangerous as chicks are at risk for not getting enough essential nutrients for healthy growth and could die or grow to be weak adults. Aggression Birds, especially seagulls, that are regularly fed bread by humans can become bold and less afraid--coming up to people while they are eating lunch at the park or even nipping at children as they eat a sandwich. Throwing bread crumbs into the center of a flock can also trigger aggression and fighting amongst the birds themselves. Substitutes Those who really love feeding the birds but want to do it responsibly can try other more nutritional substitutes like grated cheese, breakfast cereals, crumbled biscuits and porridge oats. Sea gulls are basically scavengers.They will eat everything! If we would follow up on what happens to them afterwards,we might be able to see how damaging it can be. Personally it is a lot of fun to feed them and see them doing acrobatics in mid air. It is certainly very difficult to say no too!! I am not an expert . I love the idea of human -animal interactions!! But I simply follow Sir David Attenborough's rule,"Keep Wild Life in the Wild"

Yes Antonio, Bread biscuits etc are not good for the food. In places where there is an abundance of tourists,restaurants are required to place the sign"Do not feed the birds" Sugars in the food decompose and cause disease inside the mouth. Bread gets easily stuck on the roof of the mouth . Some places allow to feed the birds , only if you buy the appropriate food.