Spring 2006

Table of Contents

American goldfinch - Tobey Gloss photo

Where do feeder birds go in Spring?

Many Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary managers enjoy a menagerie of birds through the winter at their feeding stations and miss the familiar crowd come Spring.

Some who provide supplemental feed year-round wonder why many birds stop coming for free meals, especially at a time when they need extra energy and nutrition for the rigors of breeding and nesting.

But therein lies part of the answer.

Many birds are now on their nesting territories, which may no longer include a backyard feeding station they frequented earlier in the year. Birds are not as territorial during the winter and will congregate in much greater numbers at feeders and other foraging spots. When the days grow longer and breeding rituals are triggered, they tend to stay in a relatively smaller territory, defending it from other birds.

It’s true that many birds really chow down just before or during the mating season. In fact, March and April can be among the busiest times at backyard feeding stations, including visits by newly arrived migrant species.

But it’s likely fewer individuals coming back repeatedly to a feeder that is within their nesting territory, or migrants moving through and stopping in to feed for a couple days.

Another explanation is that many birds shift their diets as spring unfolds and other preferred foods become available. Seeds and suet just can’t compete with green buds and newly emerged insects, caterpillars, worms, and other fresh sources of protein.

In response to that diet change and spring newcomers, many who like to feed year-round provide mealworms and other fresher fare. Bluebirds in particular are known to use feeders that offer those options.

A word of caution to year-round bird feeding enthusiasts: keep feeders as clean and dry as possible to avoid spreading disease. Clean feeders weekly with a ten percent chlorine bleach solution and dry thoroughly. Use tube feeders only, instead of platform or hopper feeders with flat surfaces that collect more droppings and other dirt that may spread disease. Regularly pick up and discard feed spilled on the ground. Reduce the number of feeders so birds have more space.

This can be most challenging in wetter, warmer spring and summer conditions. It may be easier and wiser to simply stop feeding for several months. The birds WILL find other natural sources of food.