theStearns

Avian chaos (photo by Kenn Stearns)

As a follow on to yesterday’s post, this is an earlier behind-the-scenes view of some pieces parts associated with our back yard bird feeders. The mourning doves seized the moment, cleverly exploiting the opportunity to gain access to seed. They created a chaotic feeding frenzy by upsetting containers, spilling seed, and repeatedly tipping over parts as they flew from one piece to another. Click on the photo twice for a larger view. There are more doves on the ground, out of frame. Clever birds, not.

Caged bird feeder (photo by Kenn Stearns)

For years our back yard bird feeder has been overrun by larger birds, primarily mourning doves and grackles. These birds move through a large amount of seed in a short time. They also make a mess by plowing through seed in search of favorites while flinging the rest on the ground. Despite a few ground feeders, the spill germinates in the grass and makes a new mess.

Adding a cage surround to the feeder means mourning doves and grackles cannot fit through the wire to get inside. Cardinals, house finches, blue jays, sparrows, and other medium- to small-size birds have easy access. The feed lasts longer, there’s less waste, and the larger birds, now relegated to ground feeding,  help reduce spill so there’s less unwanted growth in the lawn. Add a baffle to the pole and even the squirrels are befuddled.

Goldfinches (photo by Kenn Stearns)

Around this time each year we put out thistle seed in our backyard to attract goldfinches. Earlier today these three goldfinches were at one of our feeders. In a month or so their coloring will intensify.

Formal goldfinch names include the American Goldfinch, Eastern Goldfinch, and Wild Canary. The American or Eastern Goldfinch is the state bird of Iowa, New Jersey, and Washington. The goldfinches at our feeders seem to arrive and depart in groups. We provide thistle in a sock feeder and in the vertical thistle feeder shown above.