Having a Homeowners Association (HOA) can be a boon for making sure your neighborhood looks neat and tidy, but HOAs are also notorious for causing outrage when it comes to enforcing sometimes surprising neighborhood rules. While general HOA rules govern things like transactions Neighbor’s messy yardParking, and noise, these rules can get in the weeds a bit, addressing what kind of holiday decorations you have or the color of your front window curtains. And one surprising rule that has sparked a lot of social media conversation has to do with something you might think is an innocuous, and even beneficial, activity: feeding birds.
continued r/birdfeedingRedditor passmethesnacks faced such an HOA ban and had to take down his feeder, “I have a group of red-bellied woodpeckers that come every morning and I was heartbroken this morning when they were searching for their suit feeders.” in the Reddit community R/friendsOne commenter said how sad his wife was about a feeder banned by their HOA. A commenter in Reddit r/BadHOA “I’ll just pay the fine,” commented the community angrily about the bird feeder ban.
Feeding wild birds, if done right, can have real benefits for wildlife and people, from supporting migratory species that have lost their critical natural habitats, to bringing mental health benefits from being close to nature. But bird feeders can also be problematic, which is why many HOAs prohibit them. Feeders that are not cleaned frequently can spread disease, and even well-maintained feeders can invite dangerous wildlife such as bears or rodents. However, such restrictions can be frustrating and sad for those who love to see their feathered visitors.
What to do if your HOA bans feeders
Residents of HOA neighborhoods facing bird feeder bans have found creative solutions to skirt the rules. Reddit community r/birdfeeding has ideas like using a platform feeder if hanging isn’t allowed, throwing sunflower seeds on the ground, or spreading bark butter on nearby trees. Some commentators recommend installing it Bird bath Or a small fountain that will encourage birds to roam, even if there is no feeder.
Another way to attract birds to your yard is if your HOA prohibits feeders Create a bird-friendly garden By planting native species that naturally attract birds. While HOAs have say about what plants you can landscape with, more and more states, including Maryland, Maine and Minnesota, are passing laws that override HOA garden rules by allowing native landscaping for wildlife.
And finally, if you’ve had it with the birdfeeder ban, you can always appeal to your HOA board to change the rules. Talk to neighbors who share your interest in bird feeding, and bring a proposal to your HOA board to revise the rules. Make sure your proposal addresses the things that caused the feeders to be banned in the first place, such as the number and placement of feeders, feeder maintenance, and how to manage pest or wildlife problems. There may be a way to have a reasonable set of regulations around bird feeding that are not subject to an outright ban.
