Problem with Sparrows

by John

My problem is that my bird feeder is daily getting raided by house sparrows. My current bird feeder is a hopper that would accommodate striped sunflower seeds and shelled peanuts (I read sparrows don't like the thick shells of striped sunflower seeds and would find another meal). Unfortunately after 20 pounds of striped sunflower seeds I still have house sparrows spitting the sunflower seeds on the ground.

Do you have problems with house sparrows up in Canada emptying your shelled peanut feeder?


Comments for
Problem with Sparrows

Click here to add your own comments

Sep 14, 2011
 Sparrows are the pre-teens of the bird world.
by: Wildheartmuse

I love watching the sparrows at my feeder. They are comical. They even have a budgie flying with them this summer.....not sure how she will fare in the Winter though. I would not have thought of them as 'ground feeders' as they are primarily on my platforms and in the shelter feeder as well as using the hopper as a restaurant! They are fierce little fellas too, I have seen them give a blue jay a hard time at the feeder. Safety in numbers I would think!
Jul 16, 2011
 I must have bionic sparrows then...
by: Anonymous

I must have special sparrows then, because my hanging feeders are packed with them.

Unfortunately, I wish they would STOP going to them, because all they do is go through them and empty them on the ground. (maybe they elected a few to empty it for the rest)

However, I filled me feeder less than an hour ago and it's now EMPTY from all the sparrows. (they don't eat the seed, just dump it)

Anyhow, I have hundreds of sparrows eating at my hanging feeders daily.

Nick
May 03, 2011
 Funny, I think Sparrows are birds too....
by: Midwest Birder

Perhaps it's because I'm originally from Holland (as in the Netherlands) where House Sparrows once were in abundance, now pretty much wiped out. I'm not sure why this happened, but it makes me sad to see them gone. To me, it's a hardy group with funny and interesting habits and interactions of their own. I watch them for periods of time and appreciate them for what they bring to the scene (and perhaps appreciate the "pretty" birds even more because of them.......I think we should lighten up about so called non-native or invasive species, it's all in a day's bird watching, isn't it?
Apr 18, 2011
 Sparrows
by: Anonymous

Gentlemen & Ladies

As far as sporrows the will eat anything...
I have observed them eating suet hung upside down left for the woodpecker that visits along with striped sunflower, I had to stop feeding at times in order for them to leave for a while,but with a few days of putting feed back out they were back. Susan I do like the squirrel feeder wonder if you might post the diagram , can't see the other side from video, would like to try it this coming winter, may it will help keep them away from my other feeders, !!!!!!!
Enjoy the site, keep up the good work
Gerry , MA

Comment
Hi Gerry. Here is the link to the page that gives the web address for making the squirrel feeder.Easy to Make Squirrel Feeder.
Apr 12, 2011
 Sparrows
by: Anonymous

I am an avid bird watcher and I feed birds year round. I'm 62 years old and have been a bird watcher since I was 12 years old. I'm originally from PA and I currently live in DE. As for sparrows, I have observed and have identified many different types. Sparrows are strictly ground feeders! I have NEVER seen a sparrow go to a hanging bird feeder or platform.
Mar 20, 2011
 Suggestions for Sparrows
by: Susan

Yes, we have sparrows in Canada!
Since Sparrows are mainly ground feeders, you may try sprinkling a supply of grain on the ground near the feeding stand. The Sparrow will visit it and leave the Chickadees, Nuthatches, and Downy to enjoy their meals unmolested.

Another option is to try a thistle feeder. Sparrows don't like to eat upside down.
Happy Birding,
Susan

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to What Is This Bird?