Bird Feeder Visitors
Bird feeders can be busy places, especially in winter when food (especially insects) isn't readily available. This picture shows, left to right, a "confusing" chickadee [1], a Tufted Titmouse , and a White-breasted Nuthatch . Although I'm sure these birds meet in wild settings to forage for food, bird feeders are 1 of the few places there's sufficient food to bring numerous foraging birds into close proximity to each other. I haven't witnessed an actual fight at a bird feeder; they usually establish a pecking order that won't leave everyone happy but generally avoids physical altercations. All 3 of these birds not only eats from the feeders, but they're also hoarders, taking food from the feeder and hiding it for later [2]. Chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and woodpeckers are often found foraging in the same area, probably for a couple of reasons: They're looking for similar food. Having more eyes on the alert for danger means it's less likel...