Why are Siskins being so fussy?

[FUDGEY]

I placed a sun flower heart feeder beside my hide window and I was watching the Siskins closely as they fed. I noticed that they picked up and rejected on average 3 or 4 hearts to every one they ate. No wonder they are emptying my feeders daily, why do they reject so many? Any one know?

[thebeard]

i think it may be due to the fact that there is such a plentiful supply, they can afford to be fussy and only take the largest most nutritious seeds. if there wasnt that supply then they probably would eat anything, but if they know there's more to get easily, they will spend time foraging for the best bits.

[FUDGEY]

Good point Beardy, thanks I was up today to fill feeders and after waiting all Winter at last I have a Redpoll there. I hope it stays a few days so I can get some pics.

[FUDGEY]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

I was up today to fill feeders and after waiting all Winter at last I have a Redpoll there. I hope it stays a few days so I can get some pics.

Took me all of 5 minutes, well chuffed with these pics

[shenk1]

So you should be

Brilliant

[thebeard]

excellent work fudgey, well done

[Tringa]

Great photos, Fudgey.

It could easily be the supply of food, but I think it is also the way different birds feed. Finches always seem to be very wasteful when feeding - sitting at the feeder, picking and throwing away quite a bit of food.

The tits in contrast rarely seem to pick through seeds and tend to grab the first one, fly off and eat it (or stash it somewhere).

Dave

[FUDGEY]

Thanks folks, yes Tringa I have noticed the Tits arent fussy and just take the first seed they come to.

[Hobjob]

The Doves and pigeons will probably eat what the Siskins have rejected

[thebeard]

Originally Posted by Tringa

Great photos, Fudgey.

It could easily be the supply of food, but I think it is also the way different birds feed. Finches always seem to be very wasteful when feeding - sitting at the feeder, picking and throwing away quite a bit of food.

The tits in contrast rarely seem to pick through seeds and tend to grab the first one, fly off and eat it (or stash it somewhere).

Dave

true, however in my mixed seed feeder at home, i've observed blue tits and great tits picking out sunflower seeds and taking nothing else,, dropping it on the floor, until there's no sunflower seeds within reach! the dunnocks, blackbirds and pigeons soon hoover everything from the floor