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Bluebirding Bird Watching

Bluebirds being bullied by robins?

7 years ago

Have a ”cage type bluebird feeder that I’ve kept dried mealworms in for 3 years, and we now have quite a few blues, however, lately, the chickadees, have started eating most of the worms, but the mystery, is that robins will allow the chickadees to go in and eat the worms, but will constantly chase all of the blues off when they try to come and eat, and they have young, whom they are trying to feed. It’s very frustrating, its crazy, the robins will leave the chickadees alone but will bully the bluebirds, any help??

Featured Answer

catherinet

7 years ago

Thanks Old Forester! It's good to know that they can rise to the occasion when necessary! :)

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Comments (7)

catherinet
7 years ago
The only thing I can think of is that maybe the robins have learned that the chickadees aren't intimidated by them, but the bluebirds are. In my experience, bluebirds are very gentle and don't put up much of a fight. It's funny.....I've often wondered how various animals can be right next to certain other animals (even larger ones), and not be intimidated, but they might be scared off by other things. I guess that's part of animal instinct we might not understand.
Old Forester ( Zones 8a-6a ) Ga/NC
7 years ago
I wouldn't worry about the blue birds, they are tougher than you think. I have several pairs inhabiting my landscape. They are frequent users of the suet cakes and shelled sunflowers. They seem quite capable of holding their own. But, yes there is a pecking order among the species. The red headed woodpecker is the undisputed king, even the blue jays wont mess with him !

Last year, I had a bluebird pair raise their young in one of my houses. It wasn't long after they vacated the house before a chickadee and another bluebird squabbled over the same house. I witnessed the bluebird grabbing the chickadee by the head and pulling it out of the birdhouse !
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Pat Z5or6 SEMich
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Rob Armstrong
7 years ago
I agree with Old Forester's comments above. I have been observing and photographing bluebirds (professionally) for over 20 year and I can confirm that they are very tough and very resourceful. Mealworms are almost always only a small portion of their diet (like a treat or a snack). They are constantly catching insects and worms all day long (literally hundreds of times each day!) And, if necessary, a Bluebird will hold it own. In fact, when they are nesting, I have seen them attacking and successfully chasing away Robins, Thrashers, Cardinals and a variety of smaller birds. They will even attack squirrels and cats.

Here is the link to my site. In case anyone likes bluebird pictures as much as I do! Link: BluebirdsPlus
HU-397890228
5 years ago
The aggressive robin? Shoot him.
onward03
last year
last modified: last year
I know this is an old thread but I have about 16 robins sometimes this winter (Febr 2025) while they're in winter flock mode in New Hampshire. They guard the feeding area but now 2 days using a bluebird feeder that excludes them. Today they are still chasing away bluebirds but not as many robins as before.

I think in this deeply snow covered winter, the robins will have to leave for their own survival soon.

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