Bird Feeding Experiment: Do Wild Birds Feed in a More Wooded or Exposed Area?

Two trial studies were performed in 2011 and 2012 to investigate the effects of habitat loss on birds by testing their food preference in wooded and exposed areas. Since research supported that habitat loss increased bird vulnerability, the hypothesis was that birds would preferentially feed in wooded areas as compared to exposed areas. A bird feeder was placed in each area over a course of one week for observation of the birds and measurement of the consumed food. On average, bird food consumption was found to be significantly higher in the wooded area than the exposed, showing that habitat loss plays a major role in dictating bird feeding habits as well as possibly their survival.