Tallinn bans feeding most urban birds
The Tallinn City Council has approved an amendment to the city's public order rules banning the feeding of free-ranging birds and animals from December 1. Feeding small songbirds in winter will remain allowed.
The city council of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, has approved an amendment to the city's public order regulations that bans the feeding of free-ranging birds and animals within the city from December 1. An exception covers small songbirds during the winter months.
The amendment sets clear rules for public spaces, said Kairet Remmak-Grassmann, deputy chair of the Center Party group on the council. She said the exception applies to small songbirds such as tits, bullfinches and sparrows in winter. Helping injured or helpless animals and birds remains permitted.
Aim: fewer large birds and rodents in the city
One of the amendment's initiators explained that the goal is to prevent larger birds and rodents from congregating in urban areas, which can worsen public cleanliness and pose possible risks to public health and safety. According to Remmak-Grassmann, the songbird exception rests on the principle that winter feeding of these birds does not cause comparable negative effects.
Sven Sester, chair of the Isamaa group on the council, said larger birds such as gulls and pigeons, as well as rodents, tend to gather where they are fed regularly. He noted that leftover food scraps increase the rodent population around buildings, and that giving birds bread products and other processed foods can harm them in the long run.
Sester added that indiscriminate feeding with unsuitable food can damage birds' health and may ultimately lead to their death.
