The study examined 37 bird species in cities across five European countries. The animals allowed men to get about three feet closer than women, on average, before flying away The European green woodpecker was one of the most skittish birds observed Alexis Lours via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY 4.0 In the 1964 film Mary Poppins , a  message of generosity  comes through in the lullaby “ Feed the Birds .” The titular nanny sings the story of the “bird woman,” who sells bags of crumbs while imploring passersby to “feed the little birds, show them you care.” Unfortunately, new research suggests the birds might not always appreciate that generosity—particularly from certain people. In a study published in the February issue of the journal  People and Nature , scientists found that feathered, flying creatures surveyed in several European cities were more fearful of women than men.   The findings aren’t just a curiosity.…