U.S. Fish and Wildlife estimates that 672 million birds are exposed to agricultural pesticides annually in this country. Sixty-seven million die immediately, but the longer-term effects are unstudied. Most birdseed companies use pesticides on their products. That means wildlife in their growing areas are affected, as are the songbirds at backyard feeders.
Feeding birds is a questionable practice, but at least feeding them organic helps safeguard them (and the cats and other predators that eat…