Winners and Moochers
At this point of the season most of the nests in my area are sitting empty after the fledging period, regardless of what species they are.
Great part of my frequent backyard avian guests are by now juveniles, just fledged and with great impetus, all what’s new for them as flying independently, getting food for themselves and being feisty among other things. I see more activity at the feeders also more competition.They feel like winners!
To start, the size of each bird species has a lot to do with the fights that break out by the feeders. Of course, the larger and stronger birds are the most likely to get the best of the deal, but only in certain occasions. There are feeders that can not accommodate large birds such Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles or Blue Jays. This doesn’t mean that they don’t eat.
Blackbirds are smart birds too, they purposely spill seed on the ground with their bills before they start eating. This way most of the smaller birds will immediately leave the feeder and eat from the fallen seeds. Then the blackbirds can eat uninterrupted. Smart move!
Grackles have very long legs and with these they can’t perch on feeders. No problem, they fly over the feeder and push open the cover and spill most of the content to the ground. Problem solved!
I see more problems at the feeders when they have consumed great part of the seeds and the melee ensues for the remaining seeds!
This morning I went to the store to purchase more seeds because I was running out already! These birds are voracious and this time of the year and the days are long we get sunshine up to 8:00 pm. thus bids keep active until the sun is down. The late comers are the ones that do the clean up. They eat every little bit from the floor, ground, deck, patio. Neat eh?
Here are some of the new generation of birds from my backyard. Enjoy!
Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
Hi HJ!
Exactly the same situation in my garden, round the feeders or on ground. They finish all, even though I feed them three times now. Over 5 kilo a day is a lot…
Beautiful story & priceless photos as always, thank you…
I know, that’s why I call them moochers. I’m so glad to see your comments on my blog. I appreciate them very much. Thank you for caring and feeding the birds Beth! 🙂
Hi HJ! Thanking you appreciating what I’m trying to do. Not easy, it needs to make choices, they always win at the end… Let us enjoy our birds, the perfect gifts of nature…
Yes! 🙂
Great collection of shots. Can you tell me more about the juvenile (no tail) Song Sparrow?
For one thing he’s not going to be on my “Show and Tail” series. 🙂
This bird is very young. sometimes birds lose some feathers while being in the nest. I’m sure he’ll grow the caudal feathers soon. It’s not the first time I’ve seen this, Later the feathers grow. There’s nothing wrong with the bird. As you can see on the picture, was able to fly. to the tree. Thank you 🙂
I really like the photos of the new generation, HJ. My home too is SO active right now with the new generation, all the birds are eating voraciously, and it’s very fun. Many thanks! 🙂
I enjoy watching these new generation trying to figure out things and solve their problems. They’re fast learners for sure. I thank you for sharing Jet! 🙂
Wow Great Shots as usual! And I always knew black birds were smart but didn’t know they used that trick with the seeds haha! 🙂
All birds have tricks of their own. They have to in order to survive in the wild.
Thank you for sharing Neha! 🙂
I learn a lot from your posts, so thank you for sharing 🙂
🙂
Thanks for the gallery of birds, most enjoyable.
Thanks so much Susan! 🙂
A lovely set of pictures. Thank you for providing the food for them so that we can see them in your photographs.
Thanks! 🙂
I particularly love the juvenile female house finch, who looks like some grand dame to whom some uncouth person has just said something appalling ! [grin]
I never realised that little birds don’t have tails ! – how ignorant is that ?!
They do have tails but when nestlings they are sometimes too tight in the nest and they kick and scratch each other and may lose some feathers in the process. It happen at time of molting too. 🙂
Oh, I get it ! – thanks for the explanation, HJ.
You’re welcome M-R! 🙂
Lovely descriptions and photos HJ, thank you.
No Barbara, I thank you for your visit and comment! 🙂
The last House Finch picture is classic! I’ve had some House Finch youngsters starting to sing and they sound so funny. Practice makes perfect, of course. You have that locked down. 🙂
You said it…practice makes perfect! 🙂
I loved seeing all the fledglings! Thanks, H.J!
Thank you Amy! 🙂
The juveniles are so adorable – these are beautiful, HJ.! 🙂
Thank you very much Sharifah! 🙂