Florida has concerns with preserving birds and other wildlife for future generations. As a result, bird feeding is strictly regulated to protect endangered species by preventing dependency on humans for survival.
Sandhill Crane
It is illegal to feed the sandhill crane in the state of Florida. It is also illegal to leave garbage in a manner that might attract these birds, according to Florida Wildlife Magazine. This is because sandhill cranes can be a nuisance to people in residential areas, as they will begin to depend on humans rather than forage for their own food.
Endangered Species
It is against Florida law to feed any bird listed on that state's endangered or threatened list unless the resident obtains a special permit to do so. The brown pelican, grasshopper sparrow, Florida scrub jay and the ivory-billed woodpecker are examples of birds that humans cannot feed.
Feeders
Bird feeders may aid in the spread of disease among different species of birds. For this reason, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends scrubbing all bird feeders twice a month with a solution containing one part bleach to 10 parts water. If the feeders begin to attract bears or sandhill cranes, residents must stop feeding until these animals stop coming to the location.