Theory behind non-bird feeder birds

[jshea1571]

I notice that some people have got Robins who have learned to use a bird feeder. This was interesting because there are certain birds which never use the bird feeder with seeds.

The blackbird - never uses it.
The Robin - mine never use it.

So what is it about these two birds that make them like this. Well, they are 'loner' birds aren't they? They only work with a mate, not with birds of the same species like sparrows and starlings - in other words, they don't flock. Thus, I think that flocking birds have learned to rely on others for warning signals to survive. Whereas non-flocking birds have evolved to have safer feeding habits as they don't have the flock to tell them when danger is around.

Comments?

[solus]

Sorry, but that theory doesn't stand up in my garden! Robins (2 adults at least, presumably a pair as they have turned up together) feed from a seed feeder by perching on the er... perches. The feeder is currently hanging inside a metal obelisk in a big planter box right outside the window (I use it later on in the season for growing runner beans) and a female Blackbird has learned to stand on the (sloping!) framework while reaching into the port to take seed while trying not to slide down to the corner! Above the seed feeder, near the narrower top end of the pyramid, is a peanut feeder containing "Buggy Nibbles", which has proved a hit with Great and Blue Tits in particular, both quickly working out that rather than staying to nibble, they can fairly easily winkle out a whole piece and fly off to the safety of a nearby shrub to eat it at leisure. It's amusing to watch them looking all round the feeder to select the biggest bit that will come out easiest! In recent weeks a juvenile Robin arrived: it ignored the seed and went for the nibbles, clinging tit-like (but more clumsily) to the mesh.

[ashgale]

we have blackbirds using the seed feeder daily and also a pair of robins who are feeding young in the next garden are regular visitors to the seed feeders, apparently feeding the young on the seed, as they are taking the seed back to the nest site, also a mistle thrush is an regular visitor to the feeder,


ashgale.

[willowjay]

"My" Robin is an expert at perching on the green wire of a fat-ball feeder in the garden which is hanging on a pergola above paving slabs. When he - or she -has finished they usually fly down to the ground to pick up any loose crumbs. When messy feeders (starlings) are about the Robin just sits and waits for the resulting shower of crumbs, then cleans up.

A male Blackbird has almost exactly the same technique, but without quite the delicacy of the Robin.

[SheffieldLass]

It is about birds not being agile enough to use the type of feeders that are provided. My blackbirds can't use mine that are hanging from a metal pole, but the one that is put in a tree where they can stand on a branch and reach the seed, they use quite happily. As do a number of other birds that can't use the other feeders.

[ashgale]

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

It is about birds not being agile enough to use the type of feeders that are provided. My blackbirds can't use mine that are hanging from a metal pole, but the one that is put in a tree where they can stand on a branch and reach the seed, they use quite happily. As do a number of other birds that can't use the other feeders.

thats what i forgot to mention about my feeders, some are in a tree situated so that the birds can sit on the branch and get at the contents easily, while others are on one of the pole type feeders, along with the fat balls,
another regular visitor to all the feeders is the starling, which will happily visit any and all of the feeders, including the seed ones,
one drawback to having the feeders in the tree is that our resident gang of five wood pigeons can empty the three feeders in the tree in about 20 minutes, at the moment they are being refilled three times a day! but its worth it to see the other birds at the feeders between the pigeons visits,

ashgale.

[shenk1]

I once read that Robins don't use feeders as they find it difficult to perch on them due to their long legs
This is why mine never uses the feeder then?

[artdemole]

Going off track slightly,I do get crows on seed hopper which perches and flaps wings until it has enough seed or corn in beak. Collard dove manages a lot better.As for my robin, and blackbirds as well as dunnock,feed from table on feeder station but never go on feeder /hopper.Which is just above table.