Who is the bravest bird in your garden ?

[vicky@glos]

Hi again all,
Just been out to top up my bird feeders and just had a tought for this question.

Who is the bravest garden bird you know of ?

I say this as at the moment as soon as my back it turned it's either the blue-tit or the coal-tit that heads for the food first before I even reach for the door to go inside.

I can't descide who is the bravest as one time it could be the coal-tit and the next time it's the blue-tit.

Anyway anyone with any different answer, please feel free to list your recommendations for the - bravest bird in your garden.

:t: Vicky

[Ashley beolens]

In my garden now it would be starlings as they are the only regular visitors, In my old house we used to have a Collard dove sit on the patio just out side the back door. And in my mums garden it is blackbirds.

[mkdon]

Here in PA, USA, I have to go with the black-capped chickadee. They are a little ball of feathers and curiosity. They are the first to check out a new feeder. They will hang around while I am filling the feeder. They are also the first birds to learn to feed from a hand. They will sneak into the feeder for a seed while bigger, more aggressive (rude) birds are trying to take control of the feeder. The chickadee is small but mighty.

[Richard Ford]

Hi all

Currently in my garden the most regular visitors are the Siskins, I can have up to twenty and they will feed on the nut bags the mixed seed on the table, or from the fat balls. They will sit in the tree next to the feeding station while I am topping things up within a few feet of me. I have had Coal tits doing this also.

In my mums garden I have watched Siskins feeding from a peanut feeder, while I am standing in an open doorway less than two feed away, of course never when I have the camera in my hand. :'D

I regularly have blue tits, great tits and assorted finches feeding on the mixed seeds, but the bravest in terms of aggression would have to be the Bullfinch (bullies quite literally) the males particularly will not tolerate smaller birds feeding near them and will "see off" the Siskins quite aggressively.

Incidentally I have two robins visiting may table regularly together, something I have never had before, I assume this is a paired up, pair?


Rich

[birdman]

I'm with Ashley on this one.

My garden is less than a year old, and my feeding station less than a month.

Although we've had a few sporadic visitors, the New Year has seen most action from small gangs of Starlings - which is fine by me, 'cos I quite like them!

[Cindy M]

I agree with mkdon on the Black-capped Chickadee. These small bundles of energy are the most curious of all birds. I've hand fed them and have had them land on me at different times, either out of curiosity or looking for a meal. While other birds are busy with territorial disputes, they're busy darting about them, grabbing a seed on the fly. They're a very social bird, but they can be feisty too- we once had one trapped in our garage and after hours of trying to persuade it to fly out on it's own, I had to get out the net- that lil dee let me know what it thought of me picking it up with a couple hard bites - When I let it go, it flew off to land on a nearby branch then proceeded to tell me off real good with that small but powerful chickadee voice that says 'I'm small, but I'm brave.' An extra large spirit in a very small package.
My other choice would be a ruby-throated hummingbird. I've seen them attack birds as large as a Coopers hawk- totally fearless :)

[Tammie]

In my yard, the bravest by far is the whiskey jack (gray jay). They feed from my hand (or head, wherever they feel comfy!) But, I have 4 red foxes hanging around and the whiskey jacks lunge for the fox food as soon as the fox turns it's back. Now that's brave! Or stupid... I'm not sure! :)

[seb_seb]

the song thrush for managing to secure rights to the bird table even fighting off up to 4 blackbirds and a squirrel. The coal tit comees close..with its hit and steal tactics.

[Yve_M]

I have to agree with Tammie that the Gray Jays are very brave hence the name Camp Robber. They will swoop in the moment you turn your back or move a few feet away and can be trained to eat from your hand. However I believe the Ravens are braver yet. If there is something going on they will come to check it out. They calmly go about their business of shredding garbage bags with people standing around watching or picking at road kill as cars pass by at 120 km/hour. They literally own the place if they so choose. I've seen them hassle eagles. Hmmm, perhaps they are more bullies that brave.

[tafflad]

Hello Vicky , Well here in sunny West Wales , my vote will have to go to the Nuthatch . Although the Robin is very fearless and will eat out of your hand , when actually on the feeder , the Nuthatch will literally allow one to approach to within an arms length of the feeder before flyingaway . I first noticed this a few years , and since have tried it on various Nuthatches , on the feeders of other family members with the same result . No other bird in my experience allows one to get so close , although not so commonly seen as most other garden regulars , this one stands out in my humble opinion . Regards Hugh

[Tammie]

Your robin is different from ours. Is your nuthatch the same as ours?

[paula]

As long as I do not point a camera at him, this robin is very tame and almost stayes on the feeder or log while I replenish them.
As soon as I try to take a close-up picture of him he takes flight.
This picture was taken through an unopenable double glazed window, hence the lack of sharpness. At least, that is my excuse!
Coolpix 990, manual focus 1 meter, 1/25 f. 4.4

[Tammie]

Still a very nice picture, Paula. I can't believe how different your robins are from ours.

[Chicaddd]

Over here in the US in my yard you could go with the starling except they are usualy not as brave on their own, ownly in groups. Then I would go for the grackle. They may go for things one at a time.
The other one that I have noticed is the H. sparrow. I have seen the starlings take over the bird bath and the grackles take over the feeder. The surprising thing(s) that I have noticed is when the sparrow 'sneaks' in to the birdbath or the feeder while the other ones are on there.

[Andrew]

It has to be the female Siskins cos I can get within two feet of them on the feeder and most of all because the really go for the Starlings whent hey try to take over the feeders!

[columbidae]

I would have to say the brown-headed nuthatch is the bravest bird on my feeders. They will ignore me and come to the suet feeder even if I am standing right next to it, even well within arms length.

If I am sitting on the patio (my feeders are on the small patio of our apartment), the chickadees will approach, perch on a nearby branch, and berate me at length. Eventually, they will work up the courage to come to the feeders, but will still nag at me to go inside.

[Booga]

It's the Blue-tit in my garden, one in particular feeds on the fat ball and seed feeder on a ceanothus tree right outside the back door, and right out side my study window I hasten to add as he is chattering away as I type.

I have stood right under him and he was definately talking to me I swear, from only about 15 inces away!

The starlings are, as many have mentioned, okay in a group, they take a lot before they will fly off, normally my dog shouting at them does the trick.

Take care

boogs

[steve_nova]

Hugh, I envy your Nuthach! I almost feel I should refrase that?

It has to be the Blackbird here, one top (Alpha male?) who dominates and chases everything in site excluding the Magpies.

[edrick owl]

Hi all,

On my feeders it has to be the Greenfinches just edging out the House Sparrows. Ground wise it is the mighty Robin, but only just in front of the Dunnock.

My next-door neighbour has a Mistle Thrush that will happily have a go at anything. I have seen him take on and beat seven Rooks, and then come back to flush out a cheeky male Blackbird who thought he was smart enough to nip in while the Rooks distacted the Mistle Thrush from his beloved berry bush.

Regards,

edrick owl

[Art Thorn]

BC Chickadees for sure. As others have noted, will feed from your hand. But come nesting season they are the opposite. It takes careful observation to see them enter and exit their nest box.

[Nerine]

Hi from Guernsey, Channel Islands. Bravest birds in my garden are House Sparrow and Dunnock. They watch from Eleagnus and Berberis, quite patiently, while neighbouring cats prowl. Once cats have moved on they venture to bird table/ feeders/patio. I do admire them, they are my favourite birds in the garden! Nerine (this is my first post).

I think this is a fantastic site - have been looking in for a long while, learning all the time. I am a novice bird watcher and love it.

[AnnieW]

Great question Vicky - I must have missed it when you first posted.

There are several different answers in my garden. For real bravery (or total stupidity) it has to be the pheasants who have made friends with the fox (see my snowy day post). They are, however, totally terrified of me and will run squawking from the garden as soon as either of us appear !!

In terms of lack of fear of humans, it's definately the long tailed tits at the back of the house. This is quite ironic, because they were one of the most reluctant to stop at the feeders when I first put them out. They will now wait on a branch above me as I fill the seed feeder chattering away. They are now also quite happy if the dog accompanies me on the filling rounds !!

At the front it is a very friendly robin, who sings it's heart out in a bush right next to where I park the car - he seranades me on my way out to work in the morning and welcomes me cheerfully back in the evening. He sits arms length away, and stays while I start the engine and drive off.

[christineredgate]

Hi,Nerine,welcome to BF,(what a delightfully unusual name you have).Glad you are enjoying the site,certainly lots to read and view.
Vicky,as to your question re the bravest bird." weeks ago,I would have definitely said Charlie ,our regular Blackbird,but he has been ousted from his top spot by a most handsome Thrush ,who seems to spend most of the day,sat in the feeding tray,keeping all others at bay,esp the Starlings,even in a group ,Tom Thrush sorts them out.In fact I have a small pic of him eating a piece of cheese ,will see if I can find it.
Have just found the pic,not brilliant ,taken through a window,with a small Olympus digi camera,if one does get too near the window the birds do fly off,also the pic can come out very blurred. Also one of him perched on the edge of the feed tray,keeping away all the rivals.

[rogerk]

I remember when I was a boy we had a cat called tigger. One day, tigger was out in the garden bothering the birds and suddenly a male blackbird swooped down and pecked him firmly on the rectum!! That's one brave birdie!!

[Bluetail]

Your robin is different from ours. Is your nuthatch the same as ours?Hi Tammie

No, our Nuthatch is different too, though less different than the robins. Ours larger than your Red-breasted Nuthatch; it's pretty nearly the same size as your White-breasted.

Jason

[Bluetail]

Currently none of your birds are very brave (haven't got any Robins). The bravest one ever was a Woodpigeon last year which became as tame as a Feral Pigeon. - though actually I think it was being not so much tame as possessive of the seed feeders.

Jason

[Edward]

I'd vote for Redpoll. Check out the photo on this website of Redpolls in an Icelandic garden a few days ago (scroll down)
http://www.galdur.is/fuglar/tmp1.php?pid=67
The owner of this website regularly changes the photos so if the picture is no longer there, sorry! But it should be on for a couple more days!

E

[Angie]

I have lots of brave birds. They seem to get brave when they realise where all the magic food comes from.
Blue & great tits and robins are probably the bravest. I have a trellis outside the back door where the tits congregate when they see me and get fed individually with nuts. Nobby a great tit with a bump on its head is always first. It was funny to watch them when this strange green bird (ring-necked parakeet) started monopolising their favourite sunflower feeder but after a few days they started feeding together. The robins come very close and will let me know when their seed has run out. They also come close when gardening and I dig up a worm and throw it their way.
A very brave pheasant used to visit the garden, come right up to me and talk to me. We had lots of mm mm conversations. Don't know what we said to each other but I'm sure he told me off when he had been kept waiting. Of the current 2 pheasants, one has got quite brave and now looks through the back door for food, and no longer runs away at the sight of me.
The jays and blackbirds have got pretty brave this winter and no longer squawk and fly off.
One parakeet (Charlie) is quite brave but hasn't connected me with her food yet. I bring some of the feeders in at night, but as the mornings get lighter, the feeders go out later. Yesterday, Charlie appeared before I put the sunflower feeder out. She didn't like it when I hung it up, flew off and didn't return again for the rest of the day. This morning she saw me and has stayed around. So perhaps she will make the connection.
The greater spotted woodpeckers quite happily attack the peanut feeders with me watching through the window so they are quite brave. The green woodpeckers still peck at the grass when I go outside.
So I think I have lots of brave birds.

[jordan]

Without question, here in my neck of the woods it would have to be the Chickadees.

[Steve T]

The Coal Tits every time. When the Sparrowhawk has scared everything off, the first to break cover and come to the feeders is the Coal Tit. Though I suppose that as one of the smallest, it's needs are greatest. So perhaps this is not bravery. I admire thier spirit all the same.
Steve

[Sven W]

Pine Grosbeak, without competition. But its probably stupid rather then brave. Will not move even if you are within 2 meters of them. They simply doesn't associate humans with anything dangerous. We don't get them in any larger amounts every year though. Scarse this year but last winter we hade them in groups of hundreds.

Another bird which normally doesn't care if you are at least 5 meters away are northern long-tailed tit.

[Nerine]

Another brave bird is the Goldcrest. He does not mind me peering at him from just a foot or two away while he flits through the hedge. So TINY but seemingly unafraid. Quite wonderful.

Nerine

[AnnieW]

Another brave bird is the Goldcrest. He does not mind me peering at him from just a foot or two away while he flits through the hedge. So TINY but seemingly unafraid. Quite wonderful.

Nerine
How lucky - I've only ever had one in my garden VERY briefly, but he was a really pretty little bird.

[Nerine]

Hello Annie, yes, very lucky! To be honest I have only seen Goldcrest twice in the garden but each time a brave one!!!

Nerine