Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Backyard Birding => Topic started by: Leslie on March 15, 2011, 05:48:05 PM

Title: Request--Attracting mockingbirds to feeders
Post by: Leslie on March 15, 2011, 05:48:05 PM

Has anybody had a mockingbird visit a feeder?  If so, what did you feed them?
I thought I'd try cranberries in the suet for the mockingbird when I saw it in the yard, in case it was attracted to the berries.  No mockingbird, but the squirrels and the juncos loved the suet with cranberries; perhaps it was the included millet (next time I'll read the ingredients before I buy) that attracted the juncos.
The squirrels love my plain suet.  The first downies loved it too, but after a while all that happened is a pair chased each other around the feeder support tree.  Reminded me of the 2 cats of Kilkenny.
The juncos & the house finches spill the finch seed from my squirrel-proof feeder, but I do get mourning doves from it, otherwise rare in my yard.

Title:
Post by: JW Mills on March 15, 2011, 07:22:10 PM

You may want to re-think this.
I had a mocker visit my feeder last summer. After a few days he decided that the feeder was his and his alone.
He chased all other birds off the feeder. I got rid of him only after taking down the feeder for a week.

Title:
Post by: Leslie on March 19, 2011, 10:31:15 PM

Thanks--I'm glad I found out before it moved in.
On the other hand...now that my so-called squirrel-proof feeder isn't--how do mockingbirds do against squirrels?