Hand feeding birds

[JW Mills]

Last week Rob'in'To and I visited Lambton Woods. He was telling me stories about hand feeding birds. He tried his luck with a female Downy and sure enough it snatched a peanut out of his hand before I could ready my camera!
 
I visited the Woods this morning and tried it for myself. A male Downy took a peanut out of my hand. There was also a male Hairy that seemed rather friendly so I pushed my luck. I slowly moved my hand closer while the Hairy watched. He saw the peanut and went for it. Unfortunately his aim was off and he pecked my finger instead! One try was enough for him and he moved off.
 
Give it a try folks, you might be surprised with what happens!

[angieinto]

I love having a bird feed outta my hand! There is nothing like it. Chickadee's were the first bird to do this, and I loved it. I've also been lucky enough to have Downy Woodpeckers, Red and White-breasted Nuthatches, and Male Red-winged  Blackbirds land in my hand for seed. I would love to have a Blue Jay take a peanut from my hand, come close a few times, but not yet.

[Cody]

I go to Cootes Paradise and do this alot.  This past weekend I hand fed 2 Male Downy woodpeckers, many chickadees, 2 Nuthatches and there was a Female Cardinal thinking about it

[Kin Lau]

I love having a bird feed outta my hand! There is nothing like it. Chickadee's were the first bird to do this, and I loved it. I've also been lucky enough to have Downy Woodpeckers, Red and White-breasted Nuthatches, and Male Red-winged  Blackbirds land in my hand for seed. I would love to have a Blue Jay take a peanut from my hand, come close a few times, but not yet.

Cranberry Marsh in Whitby is the best spot to get a Blue Jay to take a peanut from your hand. They're quite reliable.

In Algonquin park (west side), the Gray Jays will also take food from your hand. The Gray Jays in the east side aren't as acclimatized to people.

[Rob'in'To]

We (Angie and I) plan to go to Algonquin next year for some hopeful Grey Jay hand experience.

We've been to Cranberry Marsh a couple times with no luck on the Blue Jay.  The last time one almost got in my hand for a peanut...  so close...  he swooped down but missed it.  We were over whelmed by the Chickadees and Nuthatches.  I got so many pics.  Two in the hand at once...  even two in Angie's and two in mine side by side.  It was nuts!

I was happy that happened when we were out John.  Especially when it was a different species than the Chickadee.  I am even happier it has happened to you since then.  It really makes the walk so much more enjoyable.  Congrats!

I was there today and one Chickadee kept coming back over and over and over again...