Feeding Wild Birds.

[vulcan42]

I have been feeding wild birds with sunflower hearts for a number of years and noticed, starting last December, they throw out more than they eat. I have experimented with cheap and expensive hearts and different sources from supermarkets to local and national pet shops. It makes no difference, the containers are literally being emptied daily with most of the product on the ground. Can anybody offer an explanation?

[Ringlet]

I try to feed a variety of products to the wild birds.
The only type of seed that they throw out is the "whole" sunflower seed, ie the ones with the black husk. These get chucked out of the feeder by the small birds, and the pigeons eat them off the ground.
But the white sunflower hearts are very popular in the mix of seeds in the feeders and are always eaten by the small birds (a variety of finches, sparrows, starlings).
If you are feeding only sunflower hearts, and your wild birds are throwing them on the ground all the time, whether they are the cheap variety or the more expensive ones, I think I would come to the conclusion that they may be tired of sunflower hearts. At this time of year they can afford to be picky as there is an abundance of naturally occurring food available.
Try feeding a mixed variety of seed and then introduce the sunflower hearts again when the weather gets colder.

[Canary42]

/// the ones with the black husk. These get chucked out of the feeder by the small birds, and the pigeons eat them off the ground. ///

That's my experience too.

[Redhelen72]

You have spoilt them and they need some variety

[Khandro]

I feed them a variety mixture, & the sunflower seeds are usually the last to go.
I'm not a bird, so I don't know if they are too large or how they taste, but if you 'forget' to feed them one day, I think you may find they are all taken.

[vulcan42]

Sorry, I should have made it clearer, I only referred to the sunflower hearts because those are the seeds that end up on the ground. I do offer them a variety with mixed seeds, fat balls, peanuts, mealworms and niger seeds. I could understand if they ignored the sunflower seeds but to assemble each morning, fighting over positions on the containers just to throw the seeds out seems strange to me.
Thank you for your answers, I will continue to study their behaviour.

[Old_Geezer]

Clearly, everyone wants to be a critic.

If there is natural food around this time of year maybe they should be encouraged to go for that ?

[vulcan42]

"" Feeding birds used to be a winter activity, but birds need our help in the summer months too, to ensure they have energy enough to survive leaner times ahead.""
Gardenersworld.com

[Stargazer]

I have not had any birds eating my niger seeds whereas a few years ago I had goldfinches on that feeder so I no longer put it out. My suet blocks and fat balls are devoured by two horrible jackdaws and one of maybe a pair of evil looking rooks. When I take these back indoors they spend all their time eating peanuts and also sunflower hearts. I am not willing to feed these greedy birds who scare the smaller ones away. I do have a great spotted woodpecker whom I do not begrudge his greedy ways.

[Canary42]

I had a pigeon come down my chimney today - I had to release her from behind a boarded-up hearth and set her loose outside. I think they get together on the chimney in order to mate - so the earth certainly moved for her.

[Stargazer]

Canary that happened to me but unfortunately I was sleeping away when it happened. I had a large cork pinboard blocking the fireplace but it must have forced its way out. My living room was ruined by black oily wing marks all over the ceiling and dropping below. I was shocked to say the least and immediately got a wire basket fitted over the chimney so never again.

[wildwood]

Are you sure it is not just the shells that are being discarded? Other than that... the smaller finches can not cope with the large sunflower seeds. Perhaps you could try budgie seed, or some pet shop will sell 'wild bird seed' mix. Soaking the sunflower seeds will also make them easier to open. Good luck.