I have a bird feeder that has a bit of rust (see photos inside); is it going to hurt the birds?

I don’t think it will hurt the birds. You could always paint over it with a nontoxic paint to be sure. The paint won’t eliminate the rust, but if you sand it with some steel wool first it will protect the birds from the rust.

Rust is not poisonous; the birds will just get a bit of iron in their diets :>)

On the other hand, some antirust pains are highly toxic.

Birds eat dirt. Iron oxide won’t hurt them a bit. I’m with @crisw: leave the rust alone or replace the feeder upsets your sensibilities; it certainly won’t offend the birds.

I cleaned it up and put it out. Thanks!

Put it out?

How do you insult a bird feeder, anyway?

You dirty, dirty bird feeder, all filled with slime and rust. You should be ashamed of yourself. I don’t know… maybe if I were a bird feeder I’d be put out by that… but I don’t think so. Must be a thin-skinned bird feeder. You can apologize tomorrow, I suppose.

Rust is absolutely poisonous to birds! Clean with a wire brush to remove loose paint and then repaint with a bird-safe paint. Contact the manufacturer if you’re not sure. For instance, Rustoleum cured 7–10 days is safe, Krylon is not.