I FINALLY got a bird to visit my feeder!!! Yay!!!
But, I'm not sure what kind of bird it is...... is it a female painted bunting?
This thread is Part 4 from this thread:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/686798/
This message was edited Feb 3, 2007 9:43 AM
I have no idea, Becky, but I'm out here in the Pacific Northwest doing a happy dance!!! I'm so glad the visits have begun!
Thank you, Murmur! :-)
Since I am really, really new at bird feeding and watching, I need some serious advice.
I noticed that I have a lot of no-waste seeds left in all my feeders from when I filled them over 2 weeks ago. In fact, so many seeds, that I haven't had to add to the feeders. So one question is: How often should I change out the seed mix?
I walked out this morning and "added" more fresh seed mix to the feeders and a handful of peanuts in the shell. No sooner had I walked inside than I saw a male Cardinal swoop through the feeder and grabbed something. (Not sure what.) Then about 3 minutes later, a Blue Jay landed for just a few seconds and grabbed a peanut. He then flew off. And then the green bird above flew in, sat on the perch for about 10 minutes before finally flying down to the feeder. She took her sweet time eating. And then flew off. After that, no activity.
So do birds only feed in the morning for a brief time? And do they prefer "fresh" seeds?
What else can I add to my feeders to entice more to come. I saw folks here using cherries and fruit. Here's what is currently in my feeder.
Also here is the other feeder. Should I separate these feeders away from each other? Or are they okay all hanging together from the same post?
Here's a better look at what seed mix is in the flat fly-through feeder that the birds seem to prefer using.
I tlhink you'll find that they feed off and on all day. The feeders will be extremelybusy and then nothing! I don't ever have to change the seed as it is gone so quickly, but I would think that as long as it's not horribly hot, you don't have to rush (unless you add fresh fruit). I've been putting out overripe bananas lately and an occasional orange. They disappear, but I have no idea who is eating them.
Take a peek out the window today every chance you get - I think your onslaught of visitors has begun! If you didn't have peanuts out there before, that may have been the invitation that got to them - once there, they will enjoy whatever you have on their plate!
My goodness, that looks so inviting I'm tempted to eat it myself!! I think you have a great variety there, Becky - just keep watching!
Becky; First, Congratulations!!
I have had fewer birds with the "no waste" mixes. Don't know why.
If you keep those peanuts out, you'll never be short of Bluejays. :) And everybody likes sunflower seeds.
And yes, they do tend to feed more at certain times of the day. At my house they come in little waves round 8 in the morning til bout 10 - quiet at mid-day - and another wave round 3 pm. In between it's and off and on thing. Chicadees and titmice are pretty constant, tho. Don't know if others have had the same experience?
Deb(inSC)
Deb. I think that's probably a good description of the times they come around here, too - and good point on the "no waste" mixes - I use a cheap-o brand of wild bird seed with lots of waste, but it is always completely gone so I guess the waste isn't so bad. I also have black-oiled sunflower seeds, thistle, peanuts, and lots of suet (mostly an inexpensive brand I buy on sale).
Here is what the post set-up looks like.
Here's my first photographed Blue Jay!
What I noticed is if I go out and act like I am adding to the feeder, suddenly the birds come to visit. Anyone else notice this behavior. They are really smart birds!!
Beautiful feeders, becky! I agree, now that they've found it I'll bet you'll be re-filling daily...I just started feeding the birds in the beginning of January, and now I go through a big bag of seed every week, and the huge seed block about every two weeks! Congratulations! Great photos, also!
Brenda
Congratulations!!!
I love the set up of your feeders! I agree that now they've found you, you'll have lots of visitors. Great pic of the jay too.
Thanks, everyone for the kind compliments!
The Blue Jay I think kept coming back for all the peanuts! lol But soon Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal showed up. This was all within a period of about 10 minutes. Now nothing. I wonder if I go back and "stir up" the feeders if they will return thinking I've put something new out? LOL
I didn't think any of the birds were using the top feeder, but the male cardinal seemed to prefer it over the open feeder.
And this is the last shot. I guess the Blue Jay was checking out the top feeder after he probably watched the Cardinal up there grabbing food.
Those Blue Jays are rather greedy, aren't they????
WHEEEEEeeeee!!! Becky has birds!!!!! Everyone told you they would come eventually, but waiting was toruture with your neighbor having them there, I am sure. Your BJ photos are great!! I can't tell you what the first one was, but I bet someone can. Now we want to see many more photos!! Watch your suet feeder for the woodpeckers, wrens and kinglets too.
Congrats!!
Sheila
Oh heck ..... I just gotta post a couple more photos! LOL I've been drooling over all the truly beautiful shots here on the Bird Feeder threads and all the various Bird Watching threads. My camera doesn't have quite the zoom range that many of you have. (Now I get to dream of a better camera. LOL ..... though that's certainly not going to happen for a long time!)
I'm telling ya .... I go outside and act like I am adding something to the feeders and the birds come back! It's so funny! And I do try to drop a couple peanuts or something else in there. It's like a little game. I go out, they come back. I can hear all kinds of birds calling and chirping in the trees around me. I'm being watched. Almost feel like I'm being stalked. LOL!
I am really wondering if there are a LOT of bird feeders in my area. I see these same birds .... Blue Jays, Cardinals, and Painting Buntings or whatever they are. I don't see many small birds. Though a flock of Robins drop by once a week to eat the Brazilian Pepper Tree berries in the vacant lots around me and then use my ponds/fountains to drink from.
This Blue Jay seems like a very smart fella! He's definitely got personality. lol
I am SOOOOOOO EXCITED that I finally have birds! Yay!!!!!! Pinch me! Now ..... maybe there is still hope that I will attract a hummer or two to my yard. My fingers and toes are crossed. That would be the ultimate for me. Ironically, that is the creature that actually got me started gardening two years ago. I have so many plants that are supposed to be nectar plants for hummers. No hummers yet, but I'm holding out on faith that they WILL come! :-) :-)
Here's another shot of the mystery bird. Sorry I can't get a closer, sharper photo of it. Anyone know what it "might" be?
It is mostly green with a yellow belly. It has a short beak.
Well, if ya ever wanted to know if those baffles work to keep out squirrels, I know this one does! LOL
He tried and tried to figure out how to get to the feeders. I originally heard him just above me on the roof where I was photographing from. And he quickly scurried over to see what the birds were eating.
But he couldn't quite get to those feeders! Drat!
So he headed on over to the hanging feeder I have on a pole (with no baffle) to eat. And EAT he did! LOL!
Becky thinking that looks like a female Tanager or immature Oriole looking at the beak. Wow looks like you have everything set up perfectly. You will really be blown away when you see what all comes in spring. Keep your camera ready
And then he straddled it, showed off his BEST side, and began to gorge himself! I was ROFLMBO the whole time! Quite entertaining he was!!!!
So .... I guess this means that my yard feeders are "officially" open for business! It took all these creatures long enough to find the food. Sheesh. I wonder if birds need glasses?
Edited to add:
Looks like the no-waste seed mix won't go to waste ..... the squirrel likes it!!!!! LOL
This message was edited Feb 3, 2007 1:34 PM
Here's another photo of the mystery bird. You might be right, Donna ...... it could be a Tanager. Sorry the photos aren't better.
Thanks Murmur and Deb for clarifying about the feeding times for most birds. I honestly didn't know. I'm thinking the feeder should be busy all day until it's empty. I noticed that some of the smaller birds are ground feeders. Should I put a bowl on the ground with mealy worms or cherries or some more seeds in it for those birds?
Murmur - Bananas and oranges (that's interesting!) ..... where do you put the fruit? Right in the feeder?
Shelia - Is the suet feeder okay where it is? Or should I move it? If so, where do you suggest?
Brenda - That's really exciting that you go through a bag of seed per week! What kind of seed mix are you using and where do you get it?
Sadie_Mae - Thanks for the Jay photo compliment. I am so tickled that I actually had a Blue Jay come to the feeder. I hope that you are right about more visitors now that they seem to have found my feeders. :-)
Well, it certainly looks like I hogged this thread enough. So thanks to everyone for all the encouragement! Pellatory was a big help with suggestions too. I think going out and adding the peanuts is what got the party started! Thanks for that idea, Pell!
When we moved into our new house, which is on 5 wooded acres, I put out feeders in about 3 locations, and I think it took about a month before birds started coming here. I told myself that it was probably because it is so rural out here that the birds have plenty of food to forage for with the woods. They finally found all of the feeders, and now that winter is hard upon us, you can hardly look out and see a time when there aren't birds all over the feeders.
OMG, that squirrel is too funny, you know he'd be scratching his little head if he wasn't hanging on with all 4 feet! It almost makes me wish some would venture out of the woods just so I could watch! I'd better not wish too hard though, I don't have any baffles.
Im really happy to see those birds there for you! And now that they have started, it should only get better.Speaking on the subject of feed, i find there is a direct corilation between numbers and kind of birds, and the expense I put into their food. Now that I have baffled my squirrels out, I use the woodpecker mix from wild birds unlimited. I have been more than rewarded. Now I need to find some mealworms or something to lure the bluebirds.
Yaaay Becky, and I believe that is a Painted Bunting female. Keep lookout for the male.
Great shots!!
I am sooooooooo happy for you Beckaroooo!! Whoohooooo!
chirp:>
Edited to add this lil video
http://www.backyardbirdcam.com/bunting-f-video.htm
This message was edited Feb 3, 2007 2:01 PM
Becky, so glad that you have birds at your feeders. You have a very inviting set up for them. It is such a great hobby. You will enjoy them a lot.
Teresa in KY
Becky, your pictures are just great - and I am sitting here with a big big smile, enjoying your pleasure!!! Keep those photos coming!!!
Looks like the no-waste seed mix won't go to waste ..... the squirrel likes it!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS BECKY!!!!!!! I knew they would be there soon.
The Blue Jays love those peanuts don't they?
Congratulations on you female PB.
Have one question. Is the green feeder a weight activated one that closes with too much weight on the perch?
If it is, than try moving that one to the pole without the baffle.
So happy for you!! :-)
Thanks y'all! I am so enjoying this new hobby of bird watching!
I must admit that the birds that are currently coming to the feeders are the resident birds. I haven't seen any winter birds at the feeder yet. Just local birds.
Pell - You were right about the peanuts! :-)
Well ...... duh! Why didn't I think about moving the weight sensitive feeder to the pole and bring the tube feeder over to the post. I need to put up a feeder for the squirrels. I have one that can be mounted to the post (below the baffle of course!) I can't tease the squirrels like that. I just have to provide food for them too! :-) :-) Not to mention that the squirrel sure makes me laugh! :-D Love all these creatures!!!
Anyone know where could I get some mealy worms?
Debnes - Thanks for the webcam link. My mystery bird definitely looks like the female Painted Bunting that my neighbor was telling me about. She said that there is a male too. Must be a mating pair. Though, I haven't ever seen him.
Should be able to get them at Pet Smart or Petco.
Thanks, Pell! I will check it out.
Just be sure Not to get the large size ones.
Do these mealy worms come in different sizes?
Oh my! LOL! Boy! I guess I am bird feeder challenged! Things I never thought about or knew. Different sized worms ......what are the big worms used to feed? I do have Sand Hill Cranes here! LOL!
