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Sparrows everywhere!

13 years ago

We have three feeders, this summer sparrows galore. Also have the usual red birds, chickadees, titmice, etc, lots of goldfinches too! There must be 100 sparrows on the ground, then they all fly off In a whoosh, then back again. I suppose next year I'll have 300.,.,?!?! Comments?? Thanks

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Comments (3)

kendra2003
13 years ago
I guess it depends on what kind of sparrows you have. If they are House Sparrows (Passer Domesticus) they are a non native species that are harmful to native cavity nesting birds, such as your Chickadees and titmice. If it were me, I would stop putting out any food that may attract them. Most people stick with Black Oil Sunflower seed and Nyjer seed. Though they are stubborn and will sometimes eat those seeds too. Yes, they are extremely prolific and you probably will have 300 of them next year if you're feeding them. They love the cheap birdseed mixtures with millet and corn in them. If you have native sparrows, they are a joy and harm nothing.
joan754
13 years ago
I'm guessing it must be house sparrows; no other sparrows come in such large numbers. There is no food that house sparrows will not eat including nyjer and especially black oil sunflower seeds. They really like BOSS. They eat the nyjer seed as well; it's just not as easy for them to get at because of the small holes. I know as I have lots of HOSP so the only solution for me was active control of HOSP. Now I have their numbers under control and I have had other song birds galore that I never really saw much of before. I live in an urban area and have a small yard. I used to get overrun with HOSP because they seem to love the area I live in. Even -35 in the winter doesn't deter them. They are very hardy and adaptable. They will eat anything put out.
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GoldfinchGuy
13 years ago
You can try offering thistle in an upside down feeder. That may make it more difficult for HOSPs, but it probably won't deter them entirely. I stopped putting out cheap seed mixes long ago, however they still come. In my experience I've found that there's no seed they won't eat, and there's no feeder that is entirely HOSP proof. You may end up having to employ active control measures. As far as passive control goes you may find that you can make things more difficult for them, but you just can't stop them altogether. What you CAN do in any case is make sure you don't give them an opportunity to nest on your property.

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