Outdoor Ontario

Discussion => Behaviour => Topic started by: Leslie Kinrys on April 07, 2009, 08:56:11 PM

Title: Interesting Robin Behaviour
Post by: Leslie Kinrys on April 07, 2009, 08:56:11 PM

I have a pair of Robins hanging around our yard. For the past few days, I've noticed them eating bits of suet, which have dropped onto the ground. Today, the two of them took turns landing on the suet cage and ate the suet. I've read many articles that said Robins won't come to feeders or accept food left out for them. Has anyone else seen this behaviour?

Title:
Post by: Halton Hills on April 09, 2009, 07:13:55 AM

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I guess like most animals......when it comes to food.....they will exploit anything to their advantage.

We have a nesting shelf at our back door that is used year after year (3 clutches per season)

They become pretty tame and don't get bothered with us passing by.

Whenever I am doing some digging in the garden, I sometimes throw a big fat worm towards the nest. The robins usually swoop down and enjoy the handout.

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Title: Robins and wormy bits
Post by: pforde on May 27, 2009, 10:36:56 AM

I am curious why this Robin in my yard is pulling out worms by the bucketful out of the wet ground this morning, but then, apart from pecking at a small bit of one, will leave it on top of the grass and move on to another one. It will then do the same. I watched it do this for up to 20 minutes.
  Is there perhaps a choice part of a worm that they are choosing to grab, leaving the rest?    :shock:

Paul Forde

Title: Re: Robins and wormy bits
Post by: JMCDA on May 27, 2009, 11:19:17 AM

Quote from: "pforde"

I am curious why this Robin in my yard is pulling out worms by the bucketful out of the wet ground this morning, but then, apart from pecking at a small bit of one, will leave it on top of the grass and move on to another one. It will then do the same. I watched it do this for up to 20 minutes.
  Is there perhaps a choice part of a worm that they are choosing to grab, leaving the rest?    :shock:

Paul Forde

Are there some babies nearby that they are trying to teach to get the worms?  
Joann

Title: Re: Robins and wormy bits
Post by: Halton Hills on May 27, 2009, 02:11:37 PM

Quote from: "JMCDA"

Are there some babies nearby that they are trying to teach to get the worms?  
Joann

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I agree this may be the case.......the timing is right as our Robin is pulling double duty right now.

She's tending to the yutes that just fledged about a week ago......and at the same time she's just laid the 3rd egg for round two..... :shock:

.

Title: BITS and BITES
Post by: pforde on May 27, 2009, 06:32:51 PM

Thanks for that idea. I didn't see any other "youngens" around. He seemed to be on his own. I am thinking that it was tasting the worm and wanting a worm that tasted jusssssst right. Surely they can't all taste the same. : )  
Or that other idea I had that perhaps there is one particular part of the worm that Robins' really need and like.

When the worms are plentiful, like on a rainy day like today, they can afford more so to be particular.
 But this is all a guess of course. I doubt we will ever know.

Paul

Title: Re: BITS and BITES
Post by: Bird Brain on May 27, 2009, 06:46:42 PM

Quote from: "pforde"

I am thinking that it was tasting the worm and wanting a worm that tasted jusssssst right. Surely they can't all taste the same. : )  Or that other idea I had that perhaps there is one particular part of the worm that Robins' really need and like.

Paul

The Robin gives new meaning to "playing with your food".  hehe

Another expression comes to mind ... " a little off the top" (of the worm).  :lol:

Jo-Anne   :)