Dear Seasoned Spade,
I recently set up a fancy bird feeder, and instead of politely eating, the birds seem to be auditioning for a food fight scene in a movie—tossing seeds everywhere. What gives? Is this normal, or do I just have particularly rude backyard birds? Signed, Seed Sprinkled in Peoria, IL
Seasonedly yours,
The Seasoned Spade
The Pecking Order Problem
Ah, Seed Sprinkled, you’ve stumbled upon one of nature’s great mysteries: the chaotic dining habits of our feathered friends. Birds aren’t being rude; they’re just picky eaters with questionable table manners. Imagine hosting a dinner party where every guest picks through the casserole, tossing broccoli over their shoulder to get to the cheesy bits—that’s essentially what’s happening at your feeder.
Why Birds Toss Seeds
So why all the flinging? There are a few reasons for this avian drama:
- Selective Dining: Birds often sift through the seed mix to find their favorites. If your feeder offers a blend, they’ll toss the less appealing bits (usually millet) to get to the good stuff like sunflower seeds or peanuts.
- Seed Quality Matters: If the seed is old, stale, or moldy, birds will reject it. They have better taste than we give them credit for.
- Feeder Design Flaws: Some feeders make it too easy for seeds to spill when birds perch or jostle for position. A feeder with a better seed catch tray can help.
- Establishing Territory: Birds can get a bit territorial, and tossing seeds might be part of their turf war strategy—like a passive-aggressive sign that says, “Mine!”
- Mess Equals More Food: Birds are no fools—seeds on the ground attract ground-feeding birds, which can be a win-win for your feathered community.
Keeping the Chaos in Check
While you can’t completely stop birds from tossing seeds, here are a few ways to minimize the mess:
- Go Straight Sunflower: Offer black-oil sunflower seeds or sunflower hearts. Birds love them, and there’s less waste.
- Choose a No-Mess Mix: Opt for blends that don’t include filler seeds like millet or cracked corn.
- Upgrade Your Feeder: Look for models with seed trays or smaller feeding ports that prevent spillage.
- Clean Up Regularly: Sweep up fallen seeds to prevent mold, rodents, and uninvited ground-feeding pests.
Birds Will Be Birds
At the end of the day, birds will always be a bit wild and unpredictable—that’s part of their charm. So embrace the flurry of feathers and seed, knowing you’re providing a backyard buffet that brings joy to your local avian community. Just maybe keep a broom handy.
Seasonedly yours,
The Seasoned Spade
