[gwd]

> I can't find any official advice on whether chasing birds is considered healthy or harmful to either the child or the birds.

Empathy is a very important skill for children to learn; it's not at all natural. Getting them into the habit of thinking about the feelings of animals is part of the habit of getting them into the habit of thinking about the feelings of other humans as well. Conditioning them to enjoy the distress of animals, by contrast, seems like it would prime them to enjoy the distress of other humans as well.

As far as animals: I think it's harmful for wild animals to be too familiar with humans. If I'm in a park and am approached by any animals begging, I always chase them away -- not for fun, and not even for my own pleasure (since I actually like animals), but for their own benefit.

So ironically, I'd say: Chasing birds is probably good (overall) for the birds, but bad (overall) for the children, unless it's done with the right attitude.

[Fire-Dragon-DoL]

I doubt a 3 year old would chase an animal for killing purpose. At most, it's an attempt to play with the animal. Or am I reading through the lines incorrectly?