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Robin Chasing Mom BB

15 years ago

I've started having real problems with Robins going after all the mealworms I put out for the BBs. It wasn't too bad until the last few days when the male BB has decided not to hang around very often. I'll see him once a day at dusk. The rest of the time the poor female is on her own. She'll fly from tree to tree. From tree to the box and back. When she gives up and goes for the mealworms this BIG male Robin chases her away. He chases everything away...even other Robins. At least when the male bluebird is around he tries to chase the robin away, which distracts him enough that the female can eat. This morning she just gave up and went back into the box with nothing.

At this point I'm getting upset. The Carolina Wren is gone and there are 4 perfectly formed eggs just sitting in a destroyed nest. 3 of the 4 bluebird eggs didn't make it, and if the one there doesn't get more attention it might not either. The only one doing well is a Robin nest.

Suggestions?

tara

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Comments (4)

mac60
15 years ago
Tara,
I had a similiar situation, except with mockingbirds. Though most of the mockers could not fit into the feeders, they still sat on top, claiming them. I had to place the mealworms and then sit "on guard" to keep them away while the blues ate. Sometimes I would yell and run, well...move quickly...towards the feeder, sometimes I resorted to a slingshot (even though I can't seem to hit the "broad side of a barn". The blues actually seemed to learn that I was trying to do them a favor. They would stick around close by, wait for the mockers to get chased off, and then go to the feeder. I really don't have to "guard" like I used to, the mockers don't visit the mealworm feeders very often at all anymore.
Mac
anita55
15 years ago
Hi there, the bluebirds don't need the mealworms you are feeding them so if you think that feeding them is causing a problem for the birds, stop. They will do fine on their own finding food.
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Birdie is still just sitting in the meal worm tray and the mama is on top of the house chasing away any bird that gets close. Do you think this little guy is going to survive? The daddy is off with the other four, but mama won't leave. Just like human moms.
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Robins are usually only aggressive in response to predators or other threats near their nest. I've also seen them steal other bird's perches. (Which I find odd) If anything, a hawk would be the problem. One always comes around here terrorizing our local birds but a neighbor seems to continue to feed. Consider yourself blessed if you have a hawk free neighborhood, because I sure don't!
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bluebars
15 years ago
I agree with anita. Just stop for a while. Hopefully you have a feeder that only the bluebirds can enter, and there will be no reward for the robin's bad behavior. The robin probably has a nest nearby, and when her young fledge, she will be busy elsewhere.
We had a mocker hanging around once, chasing the blues from the feeder even though the mocker couldn't get any from the enclosed feeder. So I hid near the feeder, and when he landed 3 inches away from where I was hiding, I jumped up and waved my arms and hollered - scared him so bad he never returned. Makes me giggle every time I think about it LOL.
BlueBars
fairychick
Original Author
15 years ago
I came up with a method that seems to work, and everyone is happy and full.

I feed them both.

I started feeding the Robins up closer to the house. If they come near where the bluebirds are, they get yelled at and scared away. If they stay up close to the house, they get extra. They learn fast. What they don't know is that the best worms go to the blues. *G* They don't need as many since they only have the one mouth to feed.

Speaking of which....I hoping the weather will be cooperative tomorrow and I can get at least one picture of the little one. I haven't checked on it in several days, but Mom & Dad both have been staying close by lately and they both go in and out of the box a lot. Last year all my clutches fledged at 2 weeks. That would be Saturday. But I think this one will be slowed down by the cold. Tomorrow will give me a better idea.

Thanks for all the ideas you sent me. I really appreciate the help you always offer.

tara

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