Re: [cayugabirds-l] pecking order
This winter, unlike previous ones, we've been besieged by jays. I've counted, what I think is probably an extended family of 7 or so all fighting for control of the one platform feeder and/or the two cylinders in which I offer sunflower seeds. The jays seem to be top dogs, and it irks me, because I know they're just filling their crops and storing seeds somewhere where they'll forget about later. I have to fill the feeders that much more often. But I do love corvids, and they are fun to watch. I've noticed that they're not at the very top of the dominance hierarchy, however. They move aside quickly when the red-bellied lands on the feeder. Looking at the comparative armament, I don't blame the jays. We have fewer hairies, and they interact less frequently with the jays. The hairies and the downies do seem to prefer the suet to the seeds, whereas the red-bellieds take seeds from both the platform and the cylinders frequently. Tom V On Mon, Feb 8, 2010 at 7:30 AM, Marie P Read wrote: > > > Contrary to many bucolic paintings, I have never seen two species > > feeding together. Suet is survival. > > I have seen (and photographed) Downy and Hairy feeding together (in fact > it's a photo I've strived for because it shows the difference between the > two and points out how to tell them apart), but the Downies are definitely > the more timid of the two. > > Marie > > > > > > Marie Read Wildlife Photography > 452 Ringwood Road > Freeville NY 13068 USA > > Phone 607-539-6608 > e-mail m...@cornell.edu > > http://www.marieread.com > http://www.agpix.com/mari > > > -- > > Cayugabirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html > 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > -- A. Thomas Vawter, Ph.D. Prof. of Biology & Environmental Science Chair, Biological and Chemical Sciences Herbert E. Ives Professor of Science Wells College Aurora, NY 13026 315.364.3269 tvaw...@wells.edu -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [cayugabirds-l] pecking order
That's not the relationship at my suet feeder. Downies are the bold ones; they feed no matter what I do inside and are slow to leave the suet. My Hairies and Red-bellies are off lot a shot if they see me inside or if there is any disturbance outside. The Red-breasted Nuthatches, on the other hand, come even if I'm standing beside the feeder. They also occasionally come to the feeder while I'm filling it. Kevin -Original Message- From: bounce-5232989-3493...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-5232989-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Marie P Read Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 7:30 AM To: Barrs Cc: cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] pecking order > Contrary to many bucolic paintings, I have never seen two species > feeding together. Suet is survival. I have seen (and photographed) Downy and Hairy feeding together (in fact it's a photo I've strived for because it shows the difference between the two and points out how to tell them apart), but the Downies are definitely the more timid of the two. Marie Marie Read Wildlife Photography 452 Ringwood Road Freeville NY 13068 USA Phone 607-539-6608 e-mail m...@cornell.edu http://www.marieread.com http://www.agpix.com/mari -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] pecking order
Daily, downy, hairy, and red bellied woodpeckers feast on our suet. A pileated pair are rare visitors. The pileated woodpeckers definitely dominate the feeder. When one approaches for landing, all else flies. The hairy woodpeckers rule on a daily basis, aggressively forcing red bellies and downies away. While the hairy seems unperturbed by movement in our house, a shadow on any near window will cause the pileated to move to safety. Next in the pecking order would be the red bellies. A hairy will push a red belly off the suet, while a red belly will dominate a downy. If our shadows hit the sliding glass door close to the feeder, a skittish red belly will abandon his/her meal and head for the pine boughs. The smaller downy woodpeckers do not fly at our shadows, but are chased by larger neighbors. The nuthatches are wary, watching from a distance, then walking up the tree with the suet feeder is unoccupied. They are troubled by any movement in our house and depart quickly when a woodpecker lands. With the timid brown creepers, caution rules. They stay low, avoid the crowds, and glean the droppings of suet. Contrary to many bucolic paintings, I have never seen two species feeding together. Suet is survival. And just what does 'eats like a bird' supposed to mean? susan barr brooktondale -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
