Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Backyard Birding => Topic started by: JW Mills on November 14, 2010, 01:24:37 PM

Title: Feeder Wars
Post by: JW Mills on November 14, 2010, 01:24:37 PM

I have at least 2 male and 2 female Downies visiting my suet feeder.
This morning 2 females showed up at about the same time. Female 2 drove female 1 off the feeder and chased her out of the yard. Female 1 returned shortly after female 2 left. Last week the same thing happened when 2 males showed up at the same time.

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Post by: Misty01 on November 14, 2010, 08:45:41 PM

I have three pairs of cardinals that do that with my feeders, it's fun to watch! It's funnier when all three pairs mob the pair of blue jays that try to fit in every so often  :D

Title: Feeder wars
Post by: Leslie Kinrys on November 15, 2010, 02:57:45 PM

The Downies in our yard also chase each other from the suet feeder. The real excitement happens when a Hairy Woodpecker shows up. It will hang onto the feeder and use its bill to slash at any other birds that come near the suet. The little Downies sit in the tree and wait for the big bully to leave.

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Post by: Axeman on November 15, 2010, 03:39:44 PM

Interesting re: cardinals mobbing jays...I find the jays are always top bird at my feeders...well...next to the Coopers / Shinny that is....the cardinals I find on the timid side...are the bears hibernating yet -- is it legal to set out the feeders now?

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Post by: Rob'in'To on November 16, 2010, 05:07:21 AM

Same deal here, a couple pairs of dueling Downys.  I've got 3 suet feeders out and they are spread out.  And it doesn't matter the time of year, they always fight.

Weird about the Cardinals though, here anyways, is that through Spring, Summer and Fall...  always a battle.  But, in the winter, everyone gets along.  We had 12 Cardinals one late February afternoon (9 males, 3 females) and everyone played nicely.  Too cold and hungry to care, lots to share?

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Post by: Misty01 on November 16, 2010, 07:32:21 AM

lol guess I have really agressive cardinals!!  :D  They fight all year round, Last year I only had two pairs that would chase eachother around the feeders; this year a third pair showed up to join in. I'll try to get a little video of it if I get a chance.
Crystal

Title: Feeder wars
Post by: Leslie Kinrys on November 16, 2010, 05:03:09 PM

Re: Rob'in'To's comment on battling Cardinals. During the Summer, a pair of Cardinals has made your feeder/yard their territtory. It is prime real estate to them, and all other Cardinals are to be kept out. In the Winter, birds flock together for safety in numbers, and to have help in finding food.

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Post by: Rob'in'To on November 16, 2010, 05:42:49 PM

I knew some birds flocked for the winter...  wasn't sure everyone did.  Makes sense though.  It was magical to see 12 of them down at the back.  I'd like it to happen again this winter.