Bears - Sounds Wild
Birdseed bears

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Birdseed bears

A mixed flock of juncos and chickadees are gathered at a bird feeder. It's late fall in Alaska, and most bears have gone into their dens for winter hibernation. Many Alaskans enjoy feeding birds through the long, lean winter months. But when spring arrives, it's time to put away those bird feeders, because in many places, bird feeders are a major attractant for bears. Although tiny bird seeds seem like an unlikely draw for a bear, bird seed is high in protein and fat, exactly what a hungry bear is looking for in the spring after emerging from hibernation.

Although tiny bird seeds seem like an unlikely draw for a bear, bird seed is high in protein and fat, exactly what a hungry bear is looking for in the spring after emerging from hibernation. And bird feeders are loaded with seeds.

When bears first come out from their winter dens, they eat the first green vegetation they find - often grasses and plants growing on beaches and avalanche slopes, supplemented with any winter-killed carrion their super-sensitive noses can lead them to. This diet is usually insufficient help bears regain the body weight they lost during their long, winter fast. During early spring, bears are still losing weight and making use of their stored fat reserves from the previous fall. Bears may not begin actually gaining weight until the early summer berry crop ripens. A bird feeder in the spring is a major find for a hungry bear.

Bird feeders should be taken down after April first. In spring and summer, there is plenty of natural food for birds, and there's no need to continue feeding them. The birds will be fine - and so will the bears.