Fat Birds

We have a pretty active bird feeder, with several different types of seed,
in the backyard near a large picture window. We get a variety of birds
ranging from sparrows and finches to woodpeckers, cardinals and jays. Some
mornings there is a small pile of feathers on the ground near it, perhaps
indicating that the red-tailed hawk that lives in the area is also feeding
there (or perhaps the owl we hear at night sometimes).

At any rate, the birds seem to have been really chowing down this year. I
have to fill the feeder at least once a week. Some of the birds actually
look fat. Do you think they have to recalculate their performance and W&B
as they bulk up? Will their takeoff runs increase as the weather warms up
and the density altitude rises? Enquiring minds want to know.

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)