So when would a pie die??

[rutineli]

I have taken to feeding the garden songbirds over the past year and have watched some very interesting changes in behaviour over that period.

In particular their is a male Blackbird who has decided that our garden is his exclusive property and he digs away at the lawn to locate grubs from morning to night and must be feeding at least one nestfull.

  Every time other birds of the thrush family enter the garden he attacks with incredible ferocity and chases them off the plot.  (the question is coming  -  honest!)

All in all he is using up gob-loads of non-stop energy and must be burning out at a terrific rate.  What is the average life-span of the various different garden birds?  How does a male blackbird compare to the others?

There now, I told you I'd get there!!      rut.

[FP]

Rut,

Birds are fascinating creatures to watch aren't they  Blackbirds, as you have found out, are very territorial, as are robins.  At this time of year the adult birds are working non stop to build nests and rear their young.  You will notice that the adult birds are really quite thin because of the energy they use up.

I found this site which might interest you and have posted a link to the page which gives details of the life spans of various birds.  Hope it helps.  Keep on with feeding the birds - it is important these days to feed all year round as, unfortunately our garden songbirds are declining in number, especially thrushes.

http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/information/lifespan.htm

[rutineli]

FP - Just to say thanks for the splendid link thsat you have provided, which has given me endless insight, information and images.  Wonderful stuff!!          rut.