Feeding Birds, Ducks, etc

[BRWombat]

We get the same thing action here on Maui but it's the fish who attack. Tourists will take bags of frozen peas into the water to attract fish. The fish have gotted use to the free handouts so when they see a bag it's a free for all. It's pretty funny to see someone in the water holding a bag of peas over their head and screaming bloddy murder.

To Syndrome or any other DCL veteran: I've seen it recommended to take a can of Cheez Whiz or other semi-edible almost-food in a can to Castaway Cay to feed the fish. Anyone ever try this? Does it have the same effect? I've only cruised when the water's cold, so I haven't stayed in the water long enough to give it a try.

[PrinceOfSka]

Actually, I think at MK, near Casey's in that grassy fenced off area, there is a sign that says not to feed the ducks. At Boardwalk, there is a sign saying not to feed the birds and also to beware of "aggressive birds" and they mean it. We had a couple land on the table and try to pull food out of our hands.

As far as the ducks, in Feb, my DS2 loved the ducks for about a day. First, a lady was feeding them at the MK bus area. She left and one saw DS' chubby feet hanging out of the stroller and assumed they were fries. Ran up and chomp! Then, outside the plaza one morning, another bit his hand when he was eating a piece of muffin (DS was eating it, not the duck LOL).

Last September, a guy behind us at Casey's had a seagull grab the bun of his hot dog while he was sitting there. He almost had a heart attack.

When they are fed, they get aggressive. As someone who spent 3/4 of our trip trying to keep a 2 yr old from having a nervous breakdown every time a duck came within 100 yards of us, I have to agree....Don't feed the birds. Please.

well i think that is the best reason ever not to feed the birds... they eat children if you do!!!! lol. anyway, yeah lets not feed those foul things! :)

[BRWombat]

well i think that is the best reason ever not to feed the birds... they eat children if you do!!!! lol. anyway, yeah lets not feed those foul things! :)

The birds or the children?

[Syndrome]

To Syndrome or any other DCL veteran: I've seen it recommended to take a can of Cheez Whiz or other semi-edible almost-food in a can to Castaway Cay to feed the fish. Anyone ever try this? Does it have the same effect? I've only cruised when the water's cold, so I haven't stayed in the water long enough to give it a try.

We haven't done it ourselves, but I've heard of people who do and supposedly it does bring the fish out in droves.

DCL was smart with their stingray feeding experience. They trained 'em to swim up on a platform for food vs. mobbing people like the wild ones do at Grand Cayman.

[Randy B]

i saw a lot of people feeding them on my last trip.

Its not a big deal until the ducks begin to expect/start taking it out of peoples hands. Which ive seen happen with the squirrels.

it may not be a big deal, but there are signs everywhere saying not to, ntm its in the maps, so out of respect for the rules, i dont.

its the same attitude people have re: taking pics on rides, wearing heelies, and doing things they shouldnt. IM not hurting anyone. I CAN get away with it.

just follow the rules plz

I just remind people that what goes in one end WILL come out the other, and generally while flying over your head! Tends to at least make them think a few moments before continuing.

Randy

[Randy B]

So if guests didn't feed the birds, the birds don't poop ?

Sure they do, but if they are not being lured into close contact with crowds of people they are much less likely to be depositing it on the top of your head. Also there is one more consideration. Bird droppings are a major cause of a sometimes deadly respiratory condition. I don't remember the full name of the condition, something plasmosis. The more birds hanging around the more deposits they make on every surface, including people, buildings and the umbrella on a food cart. So durring the mid afternoon rain storm, what is dripping off the umbrella onto your nachos isn't an appetizing condiment.

Now When outside the parks, in areas where it is much safer to have bird congregations that are sporatic, feed away. There are wildlife food dispensors on many of the Bay Lake docks. They have dispensors for the ducks outside the front of Fantasia Gardens mini golf. Such locations are safe because human food is not served nearby. Guests are not constantly feeding so the birds don't spend the entire day just sitting there begging and stealing. And thus the flocks don't get so large and agressive as the flocks near the snack carts and counter serve locations in the parks.

Randy

[Big Wallaby]

I have enjoyed watching the young ducks grow up. Having seen them when they were just days post-hatching, to now when they are almost adults and capable of flight, I've loved watching the ducks at MK. However, I agree they have turned somewhat aggressive.

One of my favorite things is watching a duck in all it's interactions with everything around it on land. You see, in the water they are so graceful, but they are certainly not made for life on land. They have to move one foot around the other (hence their waddle) and my favorite thing is watching them skid out on landing. All stuff they don't have to worry about in the water.

Liz was telling me about an interaction she had with one of the YBC ducks when it was very young... The ducks there love the pool and even have a small protected area where humans are simply not allowed. She said she was swimming one day, and she likes to stay on the bottom of the pool when she does. She was very surprised to find a duck sitting on the bottom of the pool, just looking at her.

I also think it's funny... the ducks have learned whom to trust. I've had a good few times now when a kid was chasing a duck and I saw the duck go and hide behind a driver.

Someday, if I find out I am wrong about reincarnation and find myself being born as any sort of animal, I don't care what I wind up being, I am going to Disney World.

[leftcoaster]

I've noticed. When eating at Shipwreck Reef Cafe, I saw a seagull fly down just as a kid got up from his seat, grab a half-chicken off the kid's plate and fly off with it. Another time, my wife and I were feeding the dolphins at Rocky Point and a bird (a heron, maybe) swooped in and take the fish out of my wife's fingers, drawing a little blood in the process!

When they say be careful of the birds there, they mean it! And due to various laws, there's nothing they can do to get rid of the blasted things!

This past weekend, we went to a small local zoo. Near the entrance, there was a place to eat, with a sitting area. Stretched across the open area, spaced about 6 inches apart, was fishing line. The idea is that the area is not sheltered, but it is protected from the birds swooping down and snatching food from the patrons. It wouldn't hurt the birds, and the people eating are much happier.

[mechurchlady]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srX7e13RNYU
Peter feeds the birds, lol.

[Syndrome]

We once visited a drive through safari near Sandusky, OH, in the days when we used to go to Cedar Point a lot. They would give you a popcorn tub full of feed, and you'd drive in and feed the animals from your car. Those stinkin' animals thought of cars as mobile food dispensers. They would all stand at the entrance and swarm when some poor sap drove in. Some creatures I dubbed "African Gore Cattle" attacked us and destroyed my side mirror. A huge, smelly buffalo stuck its entire head in the vehicle and knocked the food all over the car. Whenever I see those cattle at AK, I have a flashback.