birds and berries

How do the birds know when to eat the berries? I have a small winterberry shrub that has just been sitting here full of fruit. I even still have quite a bit of fruit on my chokeberry shrubs. Maybe I'm only attracting the seed eaters with all of my feeders?

Hard to know. But I have seen them testing one or two berries and leaving the rest till later, which rather suggests it is trial and error. There's a book on the topic (which I've not read) which might have more info: http://www.amazon.com/Birds-Berries-T-AD-Poyser/dp/0856610496

Resin

When the Robins and Cedar Waxwings come in late Fall for our berries on the Toyon trees, we see just a handfull of them first, then weeks later when the berries are getting darker colored, the larger flocks both arrive for the feast. It's a noisy madhouse in our area right now but a perfect time for any photographer.

Whoops I put my follow-up on the wrong thread. The cedar waxwings arrived yesterday to eat my berries so lesson learned....nature is more patient and smarter than I am! Little blob in pic is a waxwing...honest!

My East Palatka Holly is about ready.....the Mockingbird has been trying to defend it, but when ready, Cedar Waxwings that are in the area will arrive to enjoy the berries....the Mockingbird will enjoy his share too, I'm sure. There are lots' of Robins around also.

Nothing touched my Cotoneaster frigidus berries until they'd been frosted . . . then the hordes descended

Resin