Aggresive mistle thrush

wigan54 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 10:03 AM

3 days ago I had a large variety of birds coming to my bird feeding station
until an aggresive mistle thrush arrived it is stopping any other birds from feeding it has even fought off a wood pigeon I have read in a book that the mistle thrush is protecting what it sees as its own personal food supply
but it could also cost the other birds their lives because starvation
has anyone any ideas as to what I can possibly do to restore harmony once again............the only idea I myself can come up with is to remove the food thats been put out for them HELP PLEASE!!!

Purplepixii · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 10:07 AM

Hiya

I'm sure someone will be along shortly with great advice but in the mean time, if I were you, I'd be inclined to split your food/feeders into 2 different positions to give everyone a fair chance to eat.

Good luck
Purplepixii

Angelika · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 11:46 AM

I have one to he wont let anyone in my garden he is guarding a firethorn bush full of berries i have had him here since xmas,i have now put food at the side of my house as i live on the corner but wont be able do that much longer cause people will start complaining,i think he will stay now till the slugs come back out.

wigan54 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 07:21 AM

Thank you for your reply but the thrush will let smaller birds such as chaffinches blue tits etc down to feed yesterday sunday he chased a pied wagtail away then he was calling out & flapping his wings as if saying keep out this is now my patch!!
I have scattered food in different areas and some other birds are now getting a feed but blackbirds woodpigeons & the collared doves have to sneak in to feed when they get the chance.

wigan54 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 07:28 AM

Thanks for your reply Angelika
the thrush is now letting smaller birds feed but any that are bigger than him or who try to get on to the feeding tray are chased away quickly he was actually fighting with a woodpigeon yesterday sunday the pigeon lost I have managed to get a few photos of the thrush I have now scattered food underneath some bushes in other parts of the garden and now the blackbirds etc are getting a feed now & then but they have to sneak in when the thrush isnt about.

Angelika · #6 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 11:29 AM

Yes my mistle thrush will let the smaller birds feed a wagtail has been next to it feeding in my garden,but wont let the pigeons or bigger birds near,he has not touched the berries yet must be saving them to get strong for breeding,my sisters persian cat has had a trim and she give me a big bag of fur i have put that out for the thrush cause they are early breeders.

wigan54 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-01-2010, 08:23 AM

There are a few bushes with red berries on in the garden area at the back of my flat its a communal garden shared by a number of other tenants one other
family also feed the birds now & then ........yesterday afternoon 3 starlings got on to the feeders & were eating the fat balls .......whoosh!! in came in the thrush & scattered the lot of them as Iam typing this he has just allowed a blackbird to land & pick food from the lawn about 5ft away from him but as soon as the blackbird made a move towards the feeders he was chased away
I hope the thrush nests in the garden eventually
how soon in the season do they breed as we still have snow on the ground
here in wigan? I have thought of trying to film the bird with my camcorder
I do have him on film but only for a few seconds so I think I will set up my camcorder in the window & just film whatever happens outside.

wigan54 · #8 (**permalink**) 16-01-2010, 11:31 PM

Hello Angelika
The mistle thrush has disappeared from my garden the same time as the snow went
pity really it was entertaining watching him guarding the feeders and trying to chase the other birds away i just hope the sparrowhawk hasnt got him as we did have one in the garden during last autumn but now at least the starlings blackbirds woodpigeons and collared doves etc can feed in peace..............as i say i just hope where ever the thrush is he is ok and that the neighbourhood cat hasnt got him its a bit sad really it was fun watching him strutting his stuff after fighting off another woodpigeon.

Angelika · #9 (**permalink**) 17-01-2010, 10:13 AM

Hi wigan 54 my mistle thrush is still here since 2 days before xmas,there is no sparrowhawks around here its very built up but there is in the waste land up the road from here as i have seen loads of feathers,he is guarding a firethorn bush full of berries i dont think he will go till he has ate the berries as he has guarded them that long,i to will miss him when he has gone he sits on the roof opposite watching my every move when im in the garden,hope he nests near me as my garden isnt mature yet only started planting 2 years ago.

aeshna5 · #10 (**permalink**) 17-01-2010, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelika

Hi wigan 54 my mistle thrush is still here since 2 days before xmas,there is no sparrowhawks around here its very built up but there is in the waste land up the road from here as i have seen loads of feathers,he is guarding a firethorn bush full of berries i dont think he will go till he has ate the berries as he has guarded them that long,i to will miss him when he has gone he sits on the roof opposite watching my every move when im in the garden,hope he nests near me as my garden isnt mature yet only started planting 2 years ago.

Sparrowhawks are regular in built-up areas too- I'd be surprised if there aren't any around you; they are easy to overlook if you're not tuned in to them.