Can you overfeed wild birds?

[NDA]

Probably a dumb question, but will pose it anyway!

I started putting out a 'fat ball' feeder in my garden about 3 years ago and, perhaps coincidentally, the number of sparrows and tits has grown enormously. There are now a large number living in the eaves and the hedgerow opposite the house.

I am (they are) getting through around 3 fat balls a day. Which is fine by me, as long as I'm doing them no harm. I have water for them too.

I can't easily feed them anything else due to a pretty large crow/jackdaw population - my current feeder is crow proof.

[Alex Z]

Nope, you can't. Birds won't eat more than they need. The only thing that may happen is that you get more and more birds visiting as word gets round that this is where the food is.

[Simpo Two]

In addition, when food is abundant, nature responds by breeding more things until some other limiting factor takes over.

[Super Sonic]

When you see them jumping up and down, flapping their wings and not getting airborne, that's when you worry about have you overfed them.

[rallye101]

When they stop flying, stop!

[NDA]

Super Sonic said:

When you see them jumping up and down, flapping their wings and not getting airborne, that's when you worry about have you overfed them.

I was more worried about their over-reliance on easy food.

But thanks for the replies.

[Jasandjules]

Super Sonic said:

When you see them jumping up and down, flapping their wings and not getting airborne, that's when you worry about have you overfed them.

We have a pigeon around here who just about gets off the ground. He is often first on the feeder and eats a lot......