This is Bird Note.

As you gain experience with birds, you'll start to notice lots of bird behaviors and maybe draw your own conclusions about why they're acting a certain way.

But it's also important to check your understanding from time

to time, because there are a few persistent myths about bird behavior out there. A common one is that

feeding birds makes them dependent on sunflower seeds you put out for them. In short, it's just not true.

Even if you see your local birds ravenously eating at your feeder,

those same birds are also finding wild sources of food at other times of the day.

Birds also won't be heartbroken if you take down your feeder.

They have plenty of other places to get their next meal,

and will adapt their behavior quickly.

That said, during cold snaps in winter, it can be very hard for birds to find food.

And that's the one time that a humble bird feeder could transform from an extra source of food

to a lifeline for hungry birds.

So while birds aren't dependent on food from feeders long term, providing bird seed in the depths of winter could really help out your feathered friends.

For Bird Note, I'm Mark Bramhill.

Bird Note is supported by American Bird Conservancy, dedicated to conserving wild birds

in their habitats throughout the Americas.

Learn more at ABCbirds.org.