@shelley
I did not mean to come across as correcting, just sharing my knowledge, being a once upon a time avid birder and wildlife rescue volunteer.
There are lots of myths surrounding birds, such as handling nestlings will cause rejection and rice will bloat and kill birds, etc. All not true.
No issue with your opinion, just pointing out that store bought birdseed IS a natural feed, all ingredients found in the wild. I have wild brown millet that grows around my area.
Not any different than us eating granola. We may not have oats and almonds outside our back doors but the ingredients are all ‘natural’ and easily found in nature even if we do not harvest them ourselves.
Of course Taco bell and cat food are not optimum for people or birds, but again, the opportunistic nature of all creatures. lol
Offering commercial bird seeds and nuts, fruits, etc. is not in any way harmful, and actually beneficial during harsh winters.
Infact, I participated some years ago in a feeder watch program through Cornell lab of Ornithology and by keeping feeders this lends itself to a good count on winter migratory species that might be difficult to count without the lure of a food source.
Of course, if one is feeding lots of birds hygeine is imperative and cleaning and disinfecting feeders should be part of that routine or you can do more harm than good.
I had to stop all feeding one winter after an outbreak of avian pox which is highly contagious.
I still maintain a bird ‘breeder’, unless familiar with wild species would be offering species specific advice. Parrots have differing diet needs than wild Goldfinches.
Best would be to consult a local wildlfie rescue or Audobon society to get the scoop on the species in ones area.