What’s at my feeder? (1 Viewer)

[FBarberena]

Hello all,

Here in suburban Orlando, new to all of it and haven’t gotten a ton of action at my 2nd floor balcony seed feeder and house that I put up early last year. Saw these two at the feeder this morning and they look to be a good size for my house. Am I set up properly? How do I keep them interested? Open to any and all advice and tips! - Frank

 

[delia todd]

Hi Frank, I've moved your post to the Bird Identification forum, where you're more likely to get the information you're looking for.

 

[FBarberena]

Hi Frank, I've moved your post to the Bird Identification forum, where you're more likely to get the information you're looking for.

Thank you so much, Delia!

 

[rkj]

I think your birds are House Finches, but it is hard to tell given the lighting. As to how to keep them coming, keep doing what you are doing. Having found your feeder, they are likely to return and bring friends. I would suggest posting to the Garden Birds, Bird Feeding, and Nest Boxes forum for more suggestions.

 

[FBarberena]

Thank you! I just looked up house finches and it looks just like the bird at the feeder as one of them had a reddish colored chest.

It says that they’re invasive though and housing them is discouraged, it sounds like that’s an important topic in the birding community, is it something worth looking into how to discourage them?

 

[Lisa W]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Research has shown mixed results on whether finches in the eastern US negatively affect other species. Some studies show they dominate the feeders and compete with native eastern species, other studies suggest they fill an open niche. House Sparrows, although invasive are found at many feeders throughout the US, and most people have no problem feeding them, this is a similar situation.

 

[gsimonel]

It says that they’re invasive though and housing them is discouraged

You're not housing them. They're just visiting your bird feeder. Enjoy them. They've pretty birds.

When birds expand into a new area, there's not much you can do to stop them. Keep in mind, too, that just about every bird you see started out as an invasive if you go back in time far enough.