Blackbird memory/behaviour

andy29 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 07:22 PM

For the past few months we've had a permanently scruffy blackbird visiting us who is much friendlier than the others we've had before. He often sits in the bush in our garden where he likes to take a sip from the pond it is over. A few weeks ago he had some babies and was constantly taking off food for them, and we eventually got to see them briefly.

He absolutely loves mealworms and knows they always get put in the same blue dish... if he's around he's on his way over to them before I even put them down.

Well... I last saw him on Tuesday morning. He's missed the odd day here and there before but not three. There is another blackbird who comes through but they've run around in circles before and didn't seem to care too much about each other.

Unless the worst has happened, what do you think the chances are of us seeing him again? After he had his little ones he would sit in our bush for way longer than before because he didn't have to feed them any more, so maybe he's just not been so worried about getting so much food? Could it be the warmer weather we've had for the last few days - when it gets worse again is he likely to remember where he got them and come back? If he's been scared away from where he stays at night wouldn't he still remember where the food was?

Or do they just do this and as much as they seem to like the food, it's not as valuable to them as we think?

I'm still putting the mealworms out in the hope he'll come back

Kayleigh · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 07:26 PM

They seem to go in the undergrowth and lie low when they moult it sounds like this has happened to yours he will come back fully feathered you might not recognise him then.

andy29 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 09:01 PM

Ooh. Thank you Kayleigh, I hope you're right. I will know him when I see him go for the mealworms but I'll miss his scruffyness

In fact until a week or so ago the other one which comes round had balding parts on his face and neck, and now he looks like a new bird. Presuming he is the same bird... but he does act the same. I've not watched the birds closely enough until the last year or so, so I didn't really know how it went.

andy29 · #4 (**permalink**) 14-09-2011, 12:51 PM

Here he was three weeks ago, the last we saw of him. It's nice to be able to share it with someone. He was always scruffy but in this photo he's even scruffier than usual, which I suppose would make sense if he is/was moulting. We do have another blackbird which comes around now, the one used to occasionally bump into him, so maybe he got chased off in the end. When that happens, do they tend to just suddenly stop visiting, completely?

Do they really remember things for long - when we get into winter, is he likely to think, "hey, I know where I used to get lots of food when I was feeding my chicks"?

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 14-09-2011, 04:03 PM

Mine have started to come back into the garden now there were three today.

faz · #6 (**permalink**) 14-09-2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy29

Here he was three weeks ago, the last we saw of him. It's nice to be able to share it with someone. He was always scruffy but in this photo he's even scruffier than usual, which I suppose would make sense if he is/was moulting. We do have another blackbird which comes around now, the one used to occasionally bump into him, so maybe he got chased off in the end. When that happens, do they tend to just suddenly stop visiting, completely?

Do they really remember things for long - when we get into winter, is he likely to think, "hey, I know where I used to get lots of food when I was feeding my chicks"?

welcome to WAB yes they will remember a good food source

andy29 · #7 (**permalink**) 30-03-2012, 03:36 PM

Thought I'd update you on this - after disappearing like he did, just before Christmas I looked out of the window to see a certain scruffy blackbird! So obviously he got on okay and eventually he worked his way back.

He is still here and since the start of the year his friend has also been around...

...and last week they started collecting food for some babies. Well I hope so, otherwise there's going to be a big pile of mealworms under a bush somewhere.

They are both very cheeky. They know where the food comes from (ie. my back door).