…about birds on a larger scale
I recently discovered that, depending on the brand, the first or second ingredient in the suet I’ve been providing for the birds is corn (peanuts occupy the alternate place in each case). I have more than a few qualms about supporting the commercial beef industry, of which suet is a by-product, but it seemed like helping the birds on the small scale that I can was worth it.
Now, seeing that more corn fills the suet cage than suet, I wonder. I worry. I’m researching. What I know is this: 100% of non-organic seed corn in the US is treated with neonicotinoids, a neurotoxin. In addition to that, most crops are sprayed with the same class of pesticide later in the season. Neonics are water soluble and as much 95% of the seed coating is lost to the soil and water. As the plant grows, every cell is infused with the neonic as it is taken up through roots. Every leaf and stem is lethal; pollen and nectar are cocktails of death, and seeds are laden. Intended to target insect pests, poision is poison is poison and it is indiscriminate. Anything that eats the seed or an afflicted insect is also affected.
Neonicotinoid use in the US increased from about 330,000 pounds per year in the late 1990s and early 2000s to 5.9 million pounds in 2012 – the last year for which I found statistics – with no indication of the increase subsiding. It is commonly used in lawn and garden sprays, and for a time, was found in what were sold as pollinator-friendly plants at national garden stores in quantities high enough to directly kill most pollinators. A highly mobile substance, neonics move in rain and irrigation runoff. Everywhere researchers have looked for neonics across the country, in soil, surface and ground water, on produce (even organic produce), in pregnant humans (especially Hispanic women), they found them.
Is the non-organic corn in the suet that’s not suet laden with neonicitinoids? Am I feeding birds living far from the corn production hub with a substance that is making them unfit to produce eggs and chicks, and unfit to migrate? Do I stop feeding the birds and watch the few remaining birds on this landscape potentially succomb to starvation or do I poison them? And, more importantly, how many people across the country are buying this same suet for their birds? Are suet-producing companies regularly testing for residual neonics? Are they blythely, knowingly, slowly causing a decline in bird populations for short-term economic gain? Surely, I’m not the only person who made this connection, but I found nothing indicating suet was of concern.
This morning, I watched a female house finch die on my porch. She didn’t hit the window. She looked like she was resting, but that is an impossibility for a house finch. As she became more prone, I could see her tail twitching like it was pulsing with her heartbeat. Her breathing was labored. A male finch came to visit her, called to her, hopped close and away. She slowly leaned to her left side, feet ticking, tailing thrumming, and closed her eyes permanently. A male visited her several times over the next hour, until I picked her up.
I don’t know what killed her, but this episode doesn’t settle well on top of the line of thinking I was pursuing over the last few weeks. I kept the carcass, of course. If I find anyone who can determine cause of death, I’ll let you know.
So very awful. We think we’re at the top of the chain but we’re all killing our ecosphere. The innocent birds and earth deserve better.
Indeed. We’re sitting way out on a branch, and sawing that limb off close to the trunk.
I feed them, too. The heartbreak is real. If any of the few birds remaining can survive, I want them to have as much strength as possible.
My yard is a mess for lack of chemicals over the years and is always full of seeds and bugs. The neighbors’ habits aren’t mine, so there is drift in air and water. I can’t provide safety, but I can do my best to provide a less dangerous welcome. I’m going to try producing my own birdseeds this year.
I put out a birdbath near the black oil sunflower feeder and felt such a thrill when a returning male finch brought his active and healthy wife to drink and play. He sang for her for weeks until I worried. Another male is teaching his son the song the females like best. For the moment, all is well, except with my heart.
Yes, the heartbreak is real. I’m still in favor of natural selection and hope we succomb soon.
Hi Tamara, neonicotinoids have been banned in UK and Europe for many years now. And emergency use which was in place for certain crop crises has now also been stopped. Yet Trump wants us to import more from the US.
Also I’m fairly sure that the US exports that stuff to Africa. Certainly my friends there report much less in the way of insects in the big crop growing region of East Zambia . I’m surprised there isn’t a movement to ban these in the US….?
Hi Tony, nice to hear from you!
Eleven US states have restricted use, but US and EU companies continue to produce and export.
I haven’t had a chance to read all of this yet, but it seems like a sound piece of reporting https://www.publiceye.ch/en/topics/pesticides/eu-sending-huge-quantities-of-banned-bee-killing-pesticides-to-poorer-countries-documents-reveal
Tamara, glad you remember me, long time, though I follow your blog with great interest.
I read the article you linked me to. I’ve discussed this with my friends in Zambia, because I suspected that since the EU ban of neonics they were getting rid of stockpiles by dumping in poorer countries. But it’s worse isn’t it, they’re still producing them in huge quantities for export.
And surprise surprise, it happens because of the laxity of member governments, sure, but the entities that perpetrate are of course the trans-national agrochem companies.
Like someone said, cutting off the branch on which we are sitting.
yeeesh …. even a child could understand such absurdity.