Goldfinches and siskins dumping BOSS on ground

11 years ago

I have American goldfinches in my yard and sometimes siskins. I have 2 feeders of Nyger seed and one tube feeder with BOSS. The goldfinches and siskins love both. However, whenever they eat the BOSS, they dump more seeds on the ground then they eat. It looks like they sift through them, looking for what I don't know. They can empty a feeder within a very short time. The HOSP love all that dumping, but I'm not enthused that all the seeds are going on the ground for the HOSP. Does anyone else have this problem and what do you do about it? I tried putting an aluminum pie plate underneath the feeder to try and catch some of the seed. I am able to save some and I return it to the feeder, but I can't figure out why they are so wasteful.

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Comments (5)

donald lucius
11 years ago
i use the nylon mesh socks for the nyger i found out if i save an old sock and double bag the nyger they can still get it out ok but scatter a lot less. I got a metal mesh feeder with a solid bottom and top for the boss and the finches and grosbeaks and siskins hang on it and don't scatter a lot because they have to pull out one seed at a time. they get plenty to eat but don't waste a lot.
stl57
11 years ago
I have the same problem with a tube feeder filled with safflower. The chickadees and house finches will toss out several pieces before deciding on one while the cardinals will land, take one seed, and eat it. Much like you, I've yet to figure out what's going on. I was using the tray that came with the feeder but that allowed the mourning doves to perch and eat. They would clean out the feeder in a day. Now without the tray in place, I'm going 3 or 4 days between refills. The downside is the seed getting tossed to the ground, which the doves end up eating anyway. So I guess it's a trade-off.
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claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
11 years ago
I've read that chickadees have trouble opening black oil sunflower seed and that's why they take one and fly back to a tree to hack it open. Striped sunflower seed is even harder to open.

It may be that goldfinches and siskins have the same problem as chickadees; after all, that's a pretty small beak to attack a big seed with.

The small birds may be sifting through the seeds looking for a small one that's easier to crack open, and pushing the rest to the side (and over the edge to the ground).

Claire
donald lucius
11 years ago
i watch the mountain chickadees here grab a black oil or striped sunflower seed and jump up on the limb above the feeders and hold the seed sideways between their feet and with a quick jab or two split the seed open. so i'm guesssing the take off with the seed is to get in a position where they can split the hull open
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
11 years ago
You could always try using hulled sunflower seed (expensive, unfortunately). If the birds are searching for easy seeds to open, then the hulled seed is as easy as it gets - no need to dig around and throw some away.

Claire

Goldfinches and siskins dumping BOSS on ground

Comments (5)

donald lucius

stl57

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claireplymouth z6b coastal MA

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