Bears and Bird Feeders

Many Coloradans enjoy feeding birds, especially this time of year when hummingbirds are returning to the area.  But bird feeders can also attract hungry bears.  According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW), “some studies show that over 80 percent of human-bear conflicts can be traced back to the bear’s first encounter with a bird feeder…Once bears discover bird feeders, they’ll often visit every home in an area looking for more.”  For tips on how to safely feed birds while discouraging visits from bears, see CPW’s publication Attracting Birds, Not Bears.

For additional CPW resources on avoiding human-bear conflicts, see the following resources:

• Be Bear Aware in Colorado Bear Country
• Bearproofing Your Home
• Bearproofing Your Trash
• Deterrents Can Teach Bears to Stay Away
• Human-Bear Conflicts
• Living with Wildlife: Bears