bird behaviour

[annabelfaye]

One morning recently I observed a bird behaving very odd in my garden. For twenty mins I watched him fly to my birdtable sort through the seed to find a particular one, fly into my border and seemed to plant it, then start all over again. I remembered that last year I happened to have a very straight row of sunflowers grow in the same border and put it down to grandchildren. Am I reading too much into this or has anyone had anything like this happen in their garden. I am not the best at identifying birds, it looked like a pied wagtail to me. Definately similar colouring and sizing.

Sorry I dont have any pics, I was so startled by this I didn't grab my camera

[Finndog]

Hi Annabel,

It looks like you are watching a bird "caching", this is where birds store seeds for later retrieval when times get hard, Jays and other Corvids are renown for it. As you are feeding the birds and food is always available the birds don't return and collect their hidden seeds, hence the new sunflowers! Its a fantastic practice to watch.

[annabelfaye]

Thanks for prompt reply. We have nicknamed him the "Gardener" bird

[RKB]

Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Jay, Jackdaw, Crow, Rook and Magpie all do this. As said, it's to hoard away food for later retrieval, although they often don't come back for it and you'll get things growing. This is how Jays 'plant' Oak trees.

[annabelfaye]

Like squirrels then, cheers