Feeding the Birds
12-08-2015, 09:42 AM
#211
Hi Catherine. I'm speaking of house sparrows. They are aggressive move in on other birds. And keep other birds away from feeders. As far as I know it is one of the only birds in our area whose nest can be destroyed/moved with no penalty. There is still food available to them. My experiment may fail as my deterrent may be scaring other birds as mentioned. I need more daylight hours at home to do some bird watching
12-08-2015, 02:18 PM
#212
Hi Catherine. I'm speaking of house sparrows. They are aggressive move in on other birds. And keep other birds away from feeders. As far as I know it is one of the only birds in our area whose nest can be destroyed/moved with no penalty. There is still food available to them. My experiment may fail as my deterrent may be scaring other birds as mentioned. I need more daylight hours at home to do some bird watching
You have my permission to stay at home the next few days and document what is going on with your feeders and your sparrow deterrent!
12-09-2015, 03:07 AM
#213
I need to speak up on behalf of the sparrow - they also need to eat in order to survive the winter, the same as the prettier birds. I think there 10 different varieties of sparrow so perhaps we should be feeding all the birds and trying to see which variety of sparrow we have in our gardens. The sparrow may be protection for the more timid birds, a warning system of danger or an indication that the feeder is a safe place to be.
12-09-2015, 05:59 AM
#214
Registered User
Originally Posted by Tachus' timestamp='1449594089' post='23822821
I need to speak up on behalf of the sparrow - they also need to eat in order to survive the winter, the same as the prettier birds. I think there 10 different varieties of sparrow so perhaps we should be feeding all the birds and trying to see which variety of sparrow we have in our gardens. The sparrow may be protection for the more timid birds, a warning system of danger or an indication that the feeder is a safe place to be.
12-09-2015, 09:26 AM
#215
No problem Catherine. I still feel 5' tall. Well more like 4'11" these days. If I can isolate the sparrows from just one feeder I'd be happy. There is enough of a buffet for the sparrows to grab a bite too
12-09-2015, 11:44 AM
#216
Oh, please, Catherine no apologies needed. I was just saying how I realized that when you put out a buffet for the birds, you cannot pick and choose which birds eat the food. I had this feeling I wanted to feed the pretty little songbirds and cute little birds, not the big ugly grackles, starlings and cowbirds. He made me understand how pompous I was. Your post is a reminder that all the birds serve a purpose. I understand Lainey's angst as there seem to be few remedies for decreasing the numbers of bullies she's getting at her feeders.
12-09-2015, 01:14 PM
#217
Maybe the purpose of the house sparrows is to feed the hawks??? 
12-10-2015, 04:57 AM
#218
Registered User
May be it is to feed the hawks. We watched a goshawk land in neighbors yard, walk over to her hedge filled with sparrows and help himself to lunch. It was the hawks behavior that allowed us to distinguish which type of hawk we were watching.
Another sparrow story, in London, England they now have vast quantities of what they call "posh sparrows." It seems that some years ago some bright green parakeets escaped (were set free) and survived the attack of all the indigenous birds and the cold wet English winter. Now through out the parks one can catch site of the progeny of the first pair. It is lovely to catch sight of such bright colored birds.
Another sparrow story, in London, England they now have vast quantities of what they call "posh sparrows." It seems that some years ago some bright green parakeets escaped (were set free) and survived the attack of all the indigenous birds and the cold wet English winter. Now through out the parks one can catch site of the progeny of the first pair. It is lovely to catch sight of such bright colored birds.
12-12-2015, 02:15 PM
#219
12-12-2015, 07:19 PM
#220
Yikes!!!!