Is this a Hawk Sparrow? What's it doing?

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So I have a really nice bird feeding station, and since it’s spring, I’m starting to see a whole bunch of birds. this afternoon, I was watching the sparrows, chickadees, Juncos, and finches, when a much larger bird swooped down to the station. It didn’t try to harm any of the birds, but it scared them all away. It didn’t really eat the seed, it just kind of walked around, flying short distances, whenever it got spooked. The bird stood about a foot tall, and seemed to have a pretty large wing span. It’s back was a dull blue, and it had a fairly small head with a hawk-like beak. It had brown speckles on its chest, and didn’t seem very intimidated or intimidating. It walked around for 15 minutes or so, then flew into a nearby spruce tree where it still sits. My dad suggested that it was a Hawk Sparrow, and I kind of think so to. But if it is, why is it hanging around a bird feeder in the middle of the woods? He looks healthy, but it just seems out of character for that species to be doing that? Any thoughts? Thanks!

how to prevent steller jays from coming to your bird feeder?

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i have a really nice bird feeding station with at least 10 feeders, tube ones, normal ones, nyjer sacks, a bunch of suet. Anyhow, many many sweet birds used to come and now 5-7 steller jays are stealing all the food and scaring away the little chickadees and nuthatches.

its making me mad but i have no way to stop them…help?

ps, there are suirrels that come too but they dont bother the birds and are sweet, its just the stellers jays that are bothersome

What kind of seed is best for wild birds?

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I have quite a few small birds in my yard. Mostly chickadees and finch-type birds. We also have some robins and the occasional woodpecker and steller jay. I’d like a good all purpose seed if there is such a thing. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Are larder beetle larvae OK in wild bird seed?

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My sunflower/millet mix is crawling with what I believe are larder beetle larvae (and a few of the beetles themselves) http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=LARDER%20BEETLES&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

My question is: Since I’d hate to waste it all, would it still be okay to feed this mix (with the bugs included), to our backyard birds? They are mostly chickadees, titmice, blue jays, cardinals, woodpeckers. Larder beetles don’t carry any parasites that could harm these birds, do they?


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What birdseed should I put out to attract birds?

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We have a lot of robins and I’ve seen chickadees, mourning doves, and blackbirds on my porch. What sort of seed and feeder should I set out for these and other birds?


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Wild Bird Food : What Do American Goldfinches Eat?

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American goldfinches are generally seed eaters, and they are particularly fond of niger thistle seed, but they will also eat small insects when they are nesting. Learn more about the American goldfinch withhelpful information from an Audubon Society member in this free video on wild birds. Expert: Wayne R. Petersen Contact: www.massaudubon.org Bio: Wayne R. Petersen is director of the Massachusetts Important Bird Areas (IBA) program at the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

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ALRIGHT! I'm SICK of them! Now how….?

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How do I get rid of flocks of black birds?

I have two poles with a total of 8 feeders on them. For the first few weeks of May & June, I had cardinals, gold finches, Downy woodpeckers, purple house finches, nuthatches and chickadees.

But all of a sudden the grackles and starlings took over and all I ever see are occasional blue jays who aren’t afraid of the "black plague."

Is there a way to selectively get rid of certain birds? I use a variety of feed including safflower. Peanuts and sunflower seeds are gone in one day. Shiny, sparkling things up in the trees have no effect. I don’t want to put up a fake owl as I will get NO birds!

So, now what?

This is getting expensive!
I live in a residential neighborhood so I don’t dare use all the fire power suggested.
MsLucy!

I didn’t invite the black birds. Until this year, after 20 or so years of feeders, all the birds were the "nice" variety. Many colors, songs, etc. Hummingbirds too.

I think the black birds weasled their way in here.

My idea was that maybe someone knew of seed combination that they couldn’t stand.
Don’t get so bent out of shape!


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Picky birds at feeder?

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The chickadees, tufted titmice, and nuthatches pick out the black sunflower seeds and leave everything else! (Perhaps this is my karma because I pick the M&Ms out of trail mix and leave the raisins…) I haven’t gotten any sparrows or doves, so no one is eating the millet or safflower. Should I cave in and buy all black sunflower seeds next time? Or are the millet-eaters on their way? Tell me, experienced birders!


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Wild Bird Food : What Do Chickadees Eat?

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Chickadees eat both insects and grain, as they are often seen high in the treetops looking for larvae as well as around bird feeders eating sunflower seeds. Find out how tiny chickadees survive withhelpful information from an Audubon Society member in this free video on wild birds. Expert: Wayne R. Petersen Contact: www.massaudubon.org Bio: Wayne R. Petersen is director of the Massachusetts Important Bird Areas (IBA) program at the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

Will red pepper flakes in bird seed keep squirrels away?

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The squirrels have twice emptied my "squirrel proof" feeders. I heard you can mix a couple tablespoons of red pepper flakes in and the squirrels will stay away. I don’t want to harm the birds though. I have chickadees, cardinals and blue jays that come to feed. Any thoughts?


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