tits and mortar (1 Viewer)

M

Mark Derren

Restricted Abuser

• Mar 26, 2004

• #1

This morning i had a coal tit doing the rounds on my feeders,but then{every minute or so} would break away and cling to the wall and start chipping at the mortar in the brick work.What was it doing,looking for insects?With so much food in the garden it was'nt going short,and did'nt seem to be getting anything from it.Rather odd sight wondered if anyone had seen this before.

Cheers
Mark

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Mar 26, 2004

• #2

Two reasons, a 50% chance that both apply:

1. Grit to help grind up the food in its gizzard

2. It is a female, and needs extra calcium at this time of year for eggshell manufacture

Michael

 

A

AnnieW

Well-known member

• Mar 26, 2004

• #3

The last section of this article refers to great tits pecking at mortar to up their calcium levels before the start of the egg laying season.

http://www.duncraft.com/tipview.ihtml?articlesid=19&step=1&tip=2

I wasn't aware that they also often feed to their young.

 

pauco

Старлин&

• Mar 26, 2004

• #4

Mark Derren said:

This morning i had a coal tit doing the rounds on my feeders,but then{every minute or so} would break away and cling to the wall and start chipping at the mortar in the brick work.What was it doing,looking for insects?With so much food in the garden it was'nt going short,and did'nt seem to be getting anything from it.Rather odd sight wondered if anyone had seen this before.

Cheers
Mark

Click to expand...

Just as michael says Mark, he`s right on both counts, you can also help and put out pieces of cuttle fish-& Iodine blocks, both these help the birds cope with a busy breeding season + it helps keep their calcium levels up, hence good plumage, and healthy adults.

 

B

bartokroodborst

Guest

• Mar 27, 2004

• #5

Maybe crushed eggshell from your breakfast will give them the calcium they need???