Bluebirds and Goldfinches? (1 Viewer)

D

DJRansome

Member

• Mar 10, 2019

• #1

In my new location, I am seeing flocks of bluebirds for the first time. They seem to come/go from the feeders with goldfinches. Is that common?

 

nartreb

Speak softly and carry a long lens

• Mar 21, 2019

• #2

No. Bluebirds eat mostly insects and fruit; goldfinches eat mostly seeds. Are your seed supplies full of moth larvae? Or are you putting out mealworms or berries?

Also, "flocks of bluebirds" is not something I've ever seen. You usually see one, or a pair, sometimes a handful if the feeding is very good. Are you sure you're seeing bluebirds and not some other blue bird?

 

D

DJRansome

Member

• Apr 6, 2019

• #3

The finches are on the nyjer feeder, the blue birds are on the suet.

Maybe they were just passing through...they arrive in a bunch and leave in a bunch. I had never seen them in groups either, thus the question.

 

F

fugl

Well-known member

• Apr 6, 2019

• #4

The bluebirds I’m familiar with in Nevada—Western, Mountain—form loose flocks in the winter when they are most often seen in pastures, agricultural fields and suchlike places.

Here’s a shot of part of a Mountain Bluebird flock encountered during last year’s Christmas count. . ..
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fugl/32459820688/in/album-72157690682563695/

 

Last edited: Apr 7, 2019

D

DJRansome

Member

• Apr 10, 2019

• #5

Thanks, maybe that is what is going on here.