Interesting posts, Ihave fed birds most of my adult life, a blend of seeds and feeder types bring a variety of species. Shelled sunflower chips help keep things less messy and hemp seeds are a nice add, if you attract birds you will attract predators, place feeders away from ambush points and only the stupid and weak will get taken.. nature’s way
As far as shoot the “feral” cats killing the 5 year old kids fluffy vs the chewed up old tomcats is a ID issue, I’m not a cat person but setting out antifreeze will kill non target animals....if you have a cat issue a live trap will catch most encourage niebors that you saw an owl almost get their kitty and soon it will be an inside cat, if fluffy comes home with an arrow in it you can count on making the news, hunters get a bad rap these days so don’t be “that guy”
ether way it’s a blast to feed birds and squirrels