Dramatic change in birdfeeder activity: Why?

11 years ago

About a week ago I put out a suet cake that seemed an instant hit. I hung a few more and eventually filled a feeder or two, as well.
For several days there was a flurry of activity from morning to near sundown: As many as a dozen at a time but almost always a few. Several Downy Woodpeckers, (I believe) a Hairy Woodpecker, Buntings, Cardinals, Chickadees, a Blue Jay, and more. There was so many, so regularly that I sometimes had to replace the cakes daily.

Then it stopped. Nothing else has changed but, the last few days, there have been no vistors at all and I'm wondering why.

The busy days were near zer0; the last few days we've had a heat wave --in the 30's. Could the cold weather have put them into a "feeding frenzy" and now they've had their fill?

Competition from the neighbors feeder? Hers seem as filled and with just as few visitors.

To those that might offer suggestions about whether there's water available, are the seeds stale, etc., if there was then there is now, if they are now, they were then: everything's the same. So, any ideas for why the dramatic change and lack of interest?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Plant4wildlife
11 years ago
Feeder activity will slow down, sometimes come to a stop, when the weather turns mild in winter. Cold, snowy weather will increase the activity around your feeders.

There also could be a hawk in the area that has spotted all the activity. Make sure feeders are close to some type of escape cover so birds have a place to feel safe. We have some spruce and pine trees that work well for this purpose.

Every couple of weeks I will take down and clean our feeders (wash them with hot soapy water) and refill them with fresh seed. Also a good idea to take them down before a rain or clean/refill them after it rains.
ActionClaw (Northern Ohio zone:5a/5b)
Original Author
11 years ago

> Feeder activity will slow down, sometimes come to a stop,
> when the weather turns mild in winter.
> Cold, snowy weather will increase the activity around your feeders.

This seems to've been very true.

Eventually the activity picked up again, I put out more suet cakes and even filled a few more feeders. Then activity again ceased. My biggest concern, because it wasn't fresh seed, was that it could have grown fungus or become moldy and that I may've been inadvertently poisoning them!

But I think I finally figured it out. In addition to the woodpeckers, titmice, nuthatches, etc. along came a Mockingbird who I, at times, noticed seemed to be chasing away the other birds.

I was previously unaware of this but looked into it and learned that Mockingbirds are apparently very territorial, aggressive and even considered by some as "pests".

We have a Mocking bird that rules our property. We enjoy the red birds, blue birds and beautiful yellow finches, but this Mocking bird will not allow them to feed at the feeders we have provided for them. He doesn't want to eat, just doesn't want any other birds in the yard.

What to do with a terrible, territorial Mocking bird?!

Mockingbird: Melodious but Mean

A mockingbird is chasing all the birds away from my feeder. What Imma gonna do?

Anyone know how to scare mockingbirds?
Related Professionals
Dubuque Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Altoona Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Jacksonville Landscape Contractors · Tupelo Landscape Contractors · Waterloo Landscape Contractors · Spanish Fork Landscape Contractors · Seattle Landscape Contractors · Magnolia General Contractors · Sarasota General Contractors · Atlantic City General Contractors · Nashville General Contractors · Peoria General Contractors · Superior General Contractors · Vancouver General Contractors · Calgary General Contractors
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
11 years ago
Actionclaw, I can't help you with your mockingbird. We always have one in the vicinity that we call 'Sarge' or 'Son of Sarge', lol.

But I would like to comment on the necessity to use fresh, clean seed at all times. If you have any doubt, dispose of it in the trash.

Birds can get sick from spoiled seed and suet cakes.