Re: [cobirds] Goldfinch seed feeding behavior

2023-05-30 Thread Jared Del Rosso 
The Wisconsin birding list discussed this a few years ago. They documented 
similar behaviors with finches (esp. goldfinches) and thistle. They 
speculated that the seeds are being treated at such high temperatures (so 
they don't reseed) that they're drying out and/or that the long import time 
is drying the seeds out. Apparently, thistle seeds have a short shelf life.

I don't know if their explanation is right. But I'm adding this because 
birders in at least one other state are noticing the same patterns. 

There is a juniper at the edge of my yard. Below it are all sorts of 
introduced plants that, I suspect, robins (and perhaps waxwings) have 
spread while visiting the juniper to eat her cones: a young Russian Olive, 
Poison Hemlock, and thistle. It's neat, though frustrating, to see how 
these plants cluster around a favored spot of songbirds. Meanwhile, I have 
several baby junipers growing around my yard, thanks, surely, to those very 
same songbirds.

- Jared Del Rosso
Centennial, CO

 

On Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 3:40:06 PM UTC-6 John Malenich wrote:

> I've noticed the same thing with them completely refusing thistle starting 
> at about the same time (3-4 years ago) after many years of devouring 
> thistle with the same feeder set up with sunflower seed nearby.  Now they 
> are only eating sunflower no matter how many times I put out fresh 
> thistleabout to give up on it.
>
> John Malenich
> Boulder, CO
>
> On Monday, May 29, 2023 at 6:48:50 PM UTC-6 Chip Clouse wrote:
>
>> Hulled sunflower gives higher caloric value for less work as it doesn't 
>> have to be cracked to be eaten. I think your birds have just gotten 
>> smarter, that's all.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Chip Clouse
>> Lakewood
>>
>> On Mon, May 29, 2023, 2:13 PM Jim Tyler  wrote:
>>
>>> Birders -
>>>
>>> I’ve noticed a change in Goldfinch (both American and Lesser) behavior 
>>> over the past 6 years or so.
>>>
>>> I live in Roxborough Village, and going back 5-6 years, we had a 
>>> dramatic increase in the numbers of Goldfinches. Two foot-tall mesh thistle 
>>> feeders would be covered with a dozen Goldfinches each, with easily a dozen 
>>> or more waiting to feed. It was normal for them to consume 1/2 to 2/3 of 
>>> the seed from each feeder daily.
>>>
>>> Local populations crashed roughly 3-4 years ago, with almost no 
>>> Goldfinches showing up at my feeders. Oddly, at that time, I noticed that 
>>> the remaining Goldfinches had gravitated to my (shelled) sunflower seed 
>>> feeders. This continued for a roughly 3 years, with only one or two 
>>> Goldfinches showing up at a time.
>>>
>>> So far, this seemed normal as populations shift, and Goldfinches are 
>>> known to eat sunflowers, but they were completely ignoring my thistle 
>>> feeders.
>>>
>>> This year has brought more Goldfinches - as many as 10 at a time - but 
>>> the unusual thing is that they ALL are eating sunflower seeds and ALL 
>>> ignoring my thistle feeders.
>>>
>>> I dumped all my older seed and have completely refilled my thistle 
>>> feeders twice, and have moved one to the front yard, but the Goldfinches 
>>> continue to eschew my thistle feeders and in both front and back yards now 
>>> exclusively eat sunflower seeds.
>>>
>>> At the same time, House Finches are also ignoring my thistle feeders.
>>>
>>> While it’s possible I’ve purchased a bad or old batch of thistle, I’d 
>>> like to think that the bird supply retailer I use hasn’t received bad seed.
>>>
>>> So my question to the group is whether anyone else is seeing Goldfinches 
>>> at their feeders refusing to eat thistle?
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> Jim Tyler
>>>
>>> -- 
>>>
>> -- 
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>> Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
>>> To post to this group, send email to cob...@googlegroups.com
>>> For more options, visit this group at
>>> http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
>>> * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. 
>>> Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate
>>> * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/
>>> --- 
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google 
>>> Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send 
>>> an email to cobirds+u...@googlegroups.com.
>>> To view this discussion on the web visit 
>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/e95e7795-c4f8-42d5-6a96-98eedc5be7bb%40comcast.net
>>>  
>>> 
>>> .
>>>
>>

-- 
-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city.

Re: [cobirds] Goldfinch seed feeding behavior

2023-05-30 Thread John Malenich 
I've noticed the same thing with them completely refusing thistle starting 
at about the same time (3-4 years ago) after many years of devouring 
thistle with the same feeder set up with sunflower seed nearby.  Now they 
are only eating sunflower no matter how many times I put out fresh 
thistleabout to give up on it.

John Malenich
Boulder, CO

On Monday, May 29, 2023 at 6:48:50 PM UTC-6 Chip Clouse wrote:

> Hulled sunflower gives higher caloric value for less work as it doesn't 
> have to be cracked to be eaten. I think your birds have just gotten 
> smarter, that's all.
>
> Cheers,
> Chip Clouse
> Lakewood
>
> On Mon, May 29, 2023, 2:13 PM Jim Tyler  wrote:
>
>> Birders -
>>
>> I’ve noticed a change in Goldfinch (both American and Lesser) behavior 
>> over the past 6 years or so.
>>
>> I live in Roxborough Village, and going back 5-6 years, we had a dramatic 
>> increase in the numbers of Goldfinches. Two foot-tall mesh thistle feeders 
>> would be covered with a dozen Goldfinches each, with easily a dozen or more 
>> waiting to feed. It was normal for them to consume 1/2 to 2/3 of the seed 
>> from each feeder daily.
>>
>> Local populations crashed roughly 3-4 years ago, with almost no 
>> Goldfinches showing up at my feeders. Oddly, at that time, I noticed that 
>> the remaining Goldfinches had gravitated to my (shelled) sunflower seed 
>> feeders. This continued for a roughly 3 years, with only one or two 
>> Goldfinches showing up at a time.
>>
>> So far, this seemed normal as populations shift, and Goldfinches are 
>> known to eat sunflowers, but they were completely ignoring my thistle 
>> feeders.
>>
>> This year has brought more Goldfinches - as many as 10 at a time - but 
>> the unusual thing is that they ALL are eating sunflower seeds and ALL 
>> ignoring my thistle feeders.
>>
>> I dumped all my older seed and have completely refilled my thistle 
>> feeders twice, and have moved one to the front yard, but the Goldfinches 
>> continue to eschew my thistle feeders and in both front and back yards now 
>> exclusively eat sunflower seeds.
>>
>> At the same time, House Finches are also ignoring my thistle feeders.
>>
>> While it’s possible I’ve purchased a bad or old batch of thistle, I’d 
>> like to think that the bird supply retailer I use hasn’t received bad seed.
>>
>> So my question to the group is whether anyone else is seeing Goldfinches 
>> at their feeders refusing to eat thistle?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Jim Tyler
>>
>> -- 
>>
> -- 
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>> Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
>> To post to this group, send email to cob...@googlegroups.com
>> For more options, visit this group at
>> http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
>> * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. 
>> Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate
>> * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/
>> --- 
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
>> "Colorado Birds" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an 
>> email to cobirds+u...@googlegroups.com.
>> To view this discussion on the web visit 
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/e95e7795-c4f8-42d5-6a96-98eedc5be7bb%40comcast.net
>>  
>> 
>> .
>>
>

-- 
-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird 
species and location in the subject line when appropriate
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/
--- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
"Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/85b0bd70-66e0-42af-81bd-cbdcc3aa7ab0n%40googlegroups.com.

Re: [cobirds] Goldfinch seed feeding behavior

2023-05-29 Thread Chip Clouse 
Hulled sunflower gives higher caloric value for less work as it doesn't
have to be cracked to be eaten. I think your birds have just gotten
smarter, that's all.

Cheers,
Chip Clouse
Lakewood

On Mon, May 29, 2023, 2:13 PM Jim Tyler  wrote:

> Birders -
>
> I’ve noticed a change in Goldfinch (both American and Lesser) behavior
> over the past 6 years or so.
>
> I live in Roxborough Village, and going back 5-6 years, we had a dramatic
> increase in the numbers of Goldfinches. Two foot-tall mesh thistle feeders
> would be covered with a dozen Goldfinches each, with easily a dozen or more
> waiting to feed. It was normal for them to consume 1/2 to 2/3 of the seed
> from each feeder daily.
>
> Local populations crashed roughly 3-4 years ago, with almost no
> Goldfinches showing up at my feeders. Oddly, at that time, I noticed that
> the remaining Goldfinches had gravitated to my (shelled) sunflower seed
> feeders. This continued for a roughly 3 years, with only one or two
> Goldfinches showing up at a time.
>
> So far, this seemed normal as populations shift, and Goldfinches are known
> to eat sunflowers, but they were completely ignoring my thistle feeders.
>
> This year has brought more Goldfinches - as many as 10 at a time - but the
> unusual thing is that they ALL are eating sunflower seeds and ALL ignoring
> my thistle feeders.
>
> I dumped all my older seed and have completely refilled my thistle feeders
> twice, and have moved one to the front yard, but the Goldfinches continue
> to eschew my thistle feeders and in both front and back yards now
> exclusively eat sunflower seeds.
>
> At the same time, House Finches are also ignoring my thistle feeders.
>
> While it’s possible I’ve purchased a bad or old batch of thistle, I’d like
> to think that the bird supply retailer I use hasn’t received bad seed.
>
> So my question to the group is whether anyone else is seeing Goldfinches
> at their feeders refusing to eat thistle?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jim Tyler
>
> --
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
> To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
> * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include
> bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate
> * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Colorado Birds" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
> To view this discussion on the web visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/e95e7795-c4f8-42d5-6a96-98eedc5be7bb%40comcast.net
> 
> .
>

-- 
-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird 
species and location in the subject line when appropriate
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/
--- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
"Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAPHVJeiFjxxg9MhUCiDDJ%2B16PQ5QBFZWtsStFdHcB0Ag_h2noA%40mail.gmail.com.

Re: [cobirds] Goldfinch seed feeding behavior

2023-05-29 Thread elena 
Mine are also going to the safflower and sunflower seeds, and mostly ignoring the nyger seeds. I thought it was odd, as well. Sent from my iPhoneElena Holly KlaverFederally Certified Court InterpreterConference InterpreterEnglish <> Spanish303 475 5189Member: American Translators AssociationColorado Translators Association Pronouns: she, her, hersI acknowledge that I live in the territory of Hinóno’éí (Arapaho), Cheyenne and Ute Nations, according to the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie, and that Colorado’s Front Range is home to many Native peoples. Reconozco que vivo en el territorio de las naciones Hinóno’éí (Arapaho), Cheyenne y Ute, según el Tratado de Fort Laramie en 1851, y que el estado de Colorado al esté de las Montañas Rocosas es territorio de muchos pueblos indígenas. On May 29, 2023, at 2:42 PM, 'Carol Blackard' via Colorado Birds  wrote:Jim,My regular pair are exclusively in the thistle feeder sock, just more often than ever before.Carol Blackardcarolblackard.comSent from my iPhoneOn May 29, 2023, at 2:13 PM, Jim Tyler  wrote:
  


  
  
Birders -
  
  I’ve noticed a change in Goldfinch (both American and Lesser)
  behavior over the past 6 years or so.
  
  I live in Roxborough Village, and going back 5-6 years, we had a
  dramatic increase in the numbers of Goldfinches. Two foot-tall
  mesh thistle feeders would be covered with a dozen Goldfinches
  each, with easily a dozen or more waiting to feed. It was normal
  for them to consume 1/2 to 2/3 of the seed from each feeder daily.
  
  Local populations crashed roughly 3-4 years ago, with almost no
  Goldfinches showing up at my feeders. Oddly, at that time, I
  noticed that the remaining Goldfinches had gravitated to my
  (shelled) sunflower seed feeders. This continued for a roughly 3
  years, with only one or two Goldfinches showing up at a time.
  
  So far, this seemed normal as populations shift, and Goldfinches
  are known to eat sunflowers, but they were completely ignoring my
  thistle feeders.
  
  This year has brought more Goldfinches - as many as 10 at a time -
  but the unusual thing is that they ALL are eating sunflower seeds
  and ALL ignoring my thistle feeders.
  
  I dumped all my older seed and have completely refilled my thistle
  feeders twice, and have moved one to the front yard, but the
  Goldfinches continue to eschew my thistle feeders and in both
  front and back yards now exclusively eat sunflower seeds.
  
  At the same time, House Finches are also ignoring my thistle
  feeders.
  
  While it’s possible I’ve purchased a bad or old batch of thistle,
  I’d like to think that the bird supply retailer I use hasn’t
  received bad seed.
  
  So my question to the group is whether anyone else is seeing
  Goldfinches at their feeders refusing to eat thistle?
  
  Thanks!
  
  Jim Tyler

  




-- 
-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/
--- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/e95e7795-c4f8-42d5-6a96-98eedc5be7bb%40comcast.net.




-- 
-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/
--- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/3FF41EB4-7E5F-4121-A9EA-2CF7A5D7B6B3%40icloud.com.




-- 
-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city.

Re: [cobirds] Goldfinch seed feeding behavior

2023-05-29 Thread Lynne Forrester 
I also had the same thing at least 4 years ago and thought the same as you. I 
gave up on the thistle. They come to my shelled sunflower seeds regularly.
Lynne Forrester
Southeast Jeffco

From: cobirds@googlegroups.com  on behalf of Jim 
Tyler 
Sent: Monday, May 29, 2023 10:13:49 AM
To: cobirds@googlegroups.com 
Subject: [cobirds] Goldfinch seed feeding behavior

Birders -

I’ve noticed a change in Goldfinch (both American and Lesser) behavior over the 
past 6 years or so.

I live in Roxborough Village, and going back 5-6 years, we had a dramatic 
increase in the numbers of Goldfinches. Two foot-tall mesh thistle feeders 
would be covered with a dozen Goldfinches each, with easily a dozen or more 
waiting to feed. It was normal for them to consume 1/2 to 2/3 of the seed from 
each feeder daily.

Local populations crashed roughly 3-4 years ago, with almost no Goldfinches 
showing up at my feeders. Oddly, at that time, I noticed that the remaining 
Goldfinches had gravitated to my (shelled) sunflower seed feeders. This 
continued for a roughly 3 years, with only one or two Goldfinches showing up at 
a time.

So far, this seemed normal as populations shift, and Goldfinches are known to 
eat sunflowers, but they were completely ignoring my thistle feeders.

This year has brought more Goldfinches - as many as 10 at a time - but the 
unusual thing is that they ALL are eating sunflower seeds and ALL ignoring my 
thistle feeders.

I dumped all my older seed and have completely refilled my thistle feeders 
twice, and have moved one to the front yard, but the Goldfinches continue to 
eschew my thistle feeders and in both front and back yards now exclusively eat 
sunflower seeds.

At the same time, House Finches are also ignoring my thistle feeders.

While it’s possible I’ve purchased a bad or old batch of thistle, I’d like to 
think that the bird supply retailer I use hasn’t received bad seed.

So my question to the group is whether anyone else is seeing Goldfinches at 
their feeders refusing to eat thistle?

Thanks!

Jim Tyler

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird 
species and location in the subject line when appropriate
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
"Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to 
cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com<mailto:cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>.
To view this discussion on the web visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/e95e7795-c4f8-42d5-6a96-98eedc5be7bb%40comcast.net<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/e95e7795-c4f8-42d5-6a96-98eedc5be7bb%40comcast.net?utm_medium=email_source=footer>.

-- 
-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird 
species and location in the subject line when appropriate
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/
--- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
"Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/PH8PR10MB6550E6FC0162240021F59804AB4A9%40PH8PR10MB6550.namprd10.prod.outlook.com.

Re: [cobirds] Goldfinch seed feeding behavior

2023-05-29 Thread 'Carol Blackard' via Colorado Birds 
Jim,My regular pair are exclusively in the thistle feeder sock, just more often than ever before.Carol Blackardcarolblackard.comSent from my iPhoneOn May 29, 2023, at 2:13 PM, Jim Tyler  wrote:
  


  
  
Birders -
  
  I’ve noticed a change in Goldfinch (both American and Lesser)
  behavior over the past 6 years or so.
  
  I live in Roxborough Village, and going back 5-6 years, we had a
  dramatic increase in the numbers of Goldfinches. Two foot-tall
  mesh thistle feeders would be covered with a dozen Goldfinches
  each, with easily a dozen or more waiting to feed. It was normal
  for them to consume 1/2 to 2/3 of the seed from each feeder daily.
  
  Local populations crashed roughly 3-4 years ago, with almost no
  Goldfinches showing up at my feeders. Oddly, at that time, I
  noticed that the remaining Goldfinches had gravitated to my
  (shelled) sunflower seed feeders. This continued for a roughly 3
  years, with only one or two Goldfinches showing up at a time.
  
  So far, this seemed normal as populations shift, and Goldfinches
  are known to eat sunflowers, but they were completely ignoring my
  thistle feeders.
  
  This year has brought more Goldfinches - as many as 10 at a time -
  but the unusual thing is that they ALL are eating sunflower seeds
  and ALL ignoring my thistle feeders.
  
  I dumped all my older seed and have completely refilled my thistle
  feeders twice, and have moved one to the front yard, but the
  Goldfinches continue to eschew my thistle feeders and in both
  front and back yards now exclusively eat sunflower seeds.
  
  At the same time, House Finches are also ignoring my thistle
  feeders.
  
  While it’s possible I’ve purchased a bad or old batch of thistle,
  I’d like to think that the bird supply retailer I use hasn’t
  received bad seed.
  
  So my question to the group is whether anyone else is seeing
  Goldfinches at their feeders refusing to eat thistle?
  
  Thanks!
  
  Jim Tyler

  




-- 
-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/
--- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/e95e7795-c4f8-42d5-6a96-98eedc5be7bb%40comcast.net.




-- 
-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/
--- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/3FF41EB4-7E5F-4121-A9EA-2CF7A5D7B6B3%40icloud.com.

[cobirds] Goldfinch seed feeding behavior

2023-05-29 Thread Jim Tyler 

Birders -

I’ve noticed a change in Goldfinch (both American and Lesser) behavior 
over the past 6 years or so.


I live in Roxborough Village, and going back 5-6 years, we had a 
dramatic increase in the numbers of Goldfinches. Two foot-tall mesh 
thistle feeders would be covered with a dozen Goldfinches each, with 
easily a dozen or more waiting to feed. It was normal for them to 
consume 1/2 to 2/3 of the seed from each feeder daily.


Local populations crashed roughly 3-4 years ago, with almost no 
Goldfinches showing up at my feeders. Oddly, at that time, I noticed 
that the remaining Goldfinches had gravitated to my (shelled) sunflower 
seed feeders. This continued for a roughly 3 years, with only one or two 
Goldfinches showing up at a time.


So far, this seemed normal as populations shift, and Goldfinches are 
known to eat sunflowers, but they were completely ignoring my thistle 
feeders.


This year has brought more Goldfinches - as many as 10 at a time - but 
the unusual thing is that they ALL are eating sunflower seeds and ALL 
ignoring my thistle feeders.


I dumped all my older seed and have completely refilled my thistle 
feeders twice, and have moved one to the front yard, but the Goldfinches 
continue to eschew my thistle feeders and in both front and back yards 
now exclusively eat sunflower seeds.


At the same time, House Finches are also ignoring my thistle feeders.

While it’s possible I’ve purchased a bad or old batch of thistle, I’d 
like to think that the bird supply retailer I use hasn’t received bad seed.


So my question to the group is whether anyone else is seeing Goldfinches 
at their feeders refusing to eat thistle?


Thanks!

Jim Tyler

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "Colorado Birds" group.
To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
* All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird 
species and location in the subject line when appropriate
* Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/
--- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/e95e7795-c4f8-42d5-6a96-98eedc5be7bb%40comcast.net.