From what I read on it is that, no matter what method of baiting you use, it still messes up the bird's habitual manners. So from a moral perspective it's unethical. But from an avidity perspective it's valuable. My personal opinion would be a natural shot is still better than a premeditated one. BTW, Really cool!!
very interesting points. i live in Jeddah on the red sea which lie on two migration routs. most of the birds who stop by my garden needs badly one thing which is water. some like warblers get busy hunting little insects on the trees specially chiffchaffs and willow warblers, while sylvia or curruca warblers tend to compete with local sparrows, weavers and bulbul on tree fruits. some arrive so exhausted they just drop dead right infront of me (so sad) some stay still on branch for 6 to 8 hours not tempted to move by anything. my local birds really need water for there daily bath and to stay cool on those 40+ days. use to put bread and cake which is so popular for the local birds then i noticed that grain is healthier for them, millet being loved also for some passage migrants like common redstarts and common whitethroats. putting green millet seeds led to its growing and birds loved eating right from the cob. sunflowers attract many birds including the parakeets. but also slices of orange is loved so much by many visitors as well as the locals including the nile valley sunbird which is nectar feeder. left over dates from Ramadan proved to be great offer specially for female black caps and guess what the very elusive oriole. yes providing junk food like peanut butter or cakes and biscuits is not right. but in our harsh climate one just cant stand and watch birds suffering a little and carefully selected things is ok and a good deed towards these most beautiful creatures. yes its not ethical to use live worms, fish or mice, nor is using bird sounds. thanks again for this great videos. share it in my local birding group but i have to translate some of what you said, by and audio message.
Absolutely agree there - Some things in the whole sector of photography need to be brought forward for debate, as many things can damage the world around you!
Totally unethical as is having bird feeders in the first place; as bird feeders make birds reliant, interfere with predatory hierarchy, spread disease, and disrupt migration. In the case of Australian White Cockatoos the large flock will soon move past the feeder and start eating your wooden house windows. I can though understand the temptation. Living in rural Australia the Galahs, Cockatoos, Gang Gangs, Wrens and Magpies etc., generally get used to me out and about, whether they are residing or visiting for a few weeks. That is until I appear outside with a camera- then they are immediately gone with the wind. Thank you for raising this significant issue.
As a wildlife photographer, I don't bait any animals, birds or otherwise. I greatly prefer natural encounters while hiking. In a perfect world, would like to see people mention in a caption or description when a animal is captive or baited. I'm not going to shame anyone who sits in a hide and photographs baited birds, because let's be honest, that method often gets you better shots.
Completely agree - I often use hides as a way to grasp photos, but that's also because I don't want to be carrying a heavy bag with me constantly XD. A lot of my best shots have even been through walking at reserves or local fields!
I think the birds are just happy for the meal. Some people seem to think any kind of interaction with animals, or offsetting of nature is somehow wrong… but nature is cruel. Our pets, I know, are absolutely grateful for our “intervention” I think people who whine about interacting with wildlife are small minded tbfh. We were wildlife once.
But I think it's very different comparing wildlife to domesticated animals. If you randomly disappeared and your domesticated pet was left without you to provide food and water, they would have to either learn how to provide for themselves, or become progressively malnourished. This is why it is so important to consider the impact on wildlife when it comes to baiting birds - disrupting their natural behaviours can have a great impact on their mating behaviours, nesting habits, ability to hunt for food, and even more which I outlined in the video.
Do you think baiting birds is ethical? 🐦
From what I read on it is that, no matter what method of baiting you use, it still messes up the bird's habitual manners.
So from a moral perspective it's unethical.
But from an avidity perspective it's valuable.
My personal opinion would be a natural shot is still better than a premeditated one.
BTW, Really cool!!
Absolutely!
very interesting points. i live in Jeddah on the red sea which lie on two migration routs. most of the birds who stop by my garden needs badly one thing which is water. some like warblers get busy hunting little insects on the trees specially chiffchaffs and willow warblers, while sylvia or curruca warblers tend to compete with local sparrows, weavers and bulbul on tree fruits. some arrive so exhausted they just drop dead right infront of me (so sad) some stay still on branch for 6 to 8 hours not tempted to move by anything. my local birds really need water for there daily bath and to stay cool on those 40+ days.
use to put bread and cake which is so popular for the local birds then i noticed that grain is healthier for them, millet being loved also for some passage migrants like common redstarts and common whitethroats. putting green millet seeds led to its growing and birds loved eating right from the cob. sunflowers attract many birds including the parakeets. but also slices of orange is loved so much by many visitors as well as the locals including the nile valley sunbird which is nectar feeder. left over dates from Ramadan proved to be great offer specially for female black caps and guess what the very elusive oriole.
yes providing junk food like peanut butter or cakes and biscuits is not right. but in our harsh climate one just cant stand and watch birds suffering a little and carefully selected things is ok and a good deed towards these most beautiful creatures.
yes its not ethical to use live worms, fish or mice, nor is using bird sounds.
thanks again for this great videos. share it in my local birding group but i have to translate some of what you said, by and audio message.
I wouldnt say its unethical, but it feels like cheating cos it makes it too easy. Like with hunting
nice video, I think it's something people should talk about more
Absolutely agree there - Some things in the whole sector of photography need to be brought forward for debate, as many things can damage the world around you!
Totally unethical as is having bird feeders in the first place; as bird feeders make birds reliant, interfere with predatory hierarchy, spread disease, and disrupt migration. In the case of Australian White Cockatoos the large flock will soon move past the feeder and start eating your wooden house windows.
I can though understand the temptation. Living in rural Australia the Galahs, Cockatoos, Gang Gangs, Wrens and Magpies etc., generally get used to me out and about, whether they are residing or visiting for a few weeks. That is until I appear outside with a camera- then they are immediately gone with the wind.
Thank you for raising this significant issue.
So, Baiting is interspecies late stage capitalism?
As a wildlife photographer, I don't bait any animals, birds or otherwise. I greatly prefer natural encounters while hiking. In a perfect world, would like to see people mention in a caption or description when a animal is captive or baited. I'm not going to shame anyone who sits in a hide and photographs baited birds, because let's be honest, that method often gets you better shots.
Completely agree - I often use hides as a way to grasp photos, but that's also because I don't want to be carrying a heavy bag with me constantly XD. A lot of my best shots have even been through walking at reserves or local fields!
I think the birds are just happy for the meal. Some people seem to think any kind of interaction with animals, or offsetting of nature is somehow wrong… but nature is cruel. Our pets, I know, are absolutely grateful for our “intervention”
I think people who whine about interacting with wildlife are small minded tbfh. We were wildlife once.
But I think it's very different comparing wildlife to domesticated animals. If you randomly disappeared and your domesticated pet was left without you to provide food and water, they would have to either learn how to provide for themselves, or become progressively malnourished. This is why it is so important to consider the impact on wildlife when it comes to baiting birds - disrupting their natural behaviours can have a great impact on their mating behaviours, nesting habits, ability to hunt for food, and even more which I outlined in the video.