They are efficient little predators, the distant relations of dinosaurs and they eat their weight in weed seeds, the swallows (which do not use the feeder) eat tons of insects and the others eat their share of bugs. I like having them in the yard for their beauty and their song. I am an animal lover. Now Dave, what do the people who receive welfare contribute to the economy? I suppose they contribute to taxes by trading their food subsidy for money so they can buy cigarettes. That contributes to the tax base. Happy now, I am just fuzzy on animals. Besides the cats enjoy watching the birds. It is their version of Animal Planet.