Bird Feeder

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:35 pm

So I want to get a bird feeder but I need to scope out if this is a god idea or a bad idea. The purpose is to attract some birds to my window where I keep my finches. Window will be closed. Finches would be inside, feeder outside.

Since I am gone all day, figured my finches could watch the birds outside.

I am worried though, that the sight of the wild birds might make them stressed. Or maybe they will like it. Just want your opinions on this. Unless i get an overwhelming response to do it, i will probably not since I would rather not stress my finches out.. or even risk it.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:52 pm

Hi Chris,

I have all glass windows to my aviary. There are birds sometimes flying around the windows and looking in and it spooks my finches. I do have a hummingbird feeder there in the spring and summer and that doesn't seem to both them.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:00 am

any larger seed eater that came in for a free feed would scare the crap out of your finches

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:36 am

I have a lot of wild birds that come around my aviary. Sometime they even come down the hallway (when the door is open). Mostly small wrens and doves.
I try to discourage this because they can transmit mites, diseases, etc.
Even though yours is glass you may want to protect your finches from being startled by a bird's fast approach. The wild birds here don't seem to startle my guys but they are outside and can see them from far off... When the doves that are ground feeding (on used seed I throw out in the corner of the yard) get spooked and all flutter up (30 doves at a time) it makes a loud swishing noise. all my birds instinctively stop what they are doing and look around for the danger...... flock mentality
What made the doves fly was my approach.... My birds do not see me as a danger so they must think those doves are real scaredy cats....

I think my birds enjoy the songs and company of some of the yard birds... I have even had mocking birds try and mimic my canaries.... This gets the canaries really excited.

akidsgal · Post by **akidsgal** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 12:49 pm

Here is an experience that I had this week. Maybe this will make your mind up for you.

I was sitting here at the computer and heard a bang. Only to look outside and see what hit the house. As it turns out it was a Hawk and nearly scared me to death that he sat by my window looking at me. I think of course he was a bit in shock, but really if I were a finch..... Heart Attack time!

Regardless, I wish I had a camera close by, no one believed he hit my house!

James · Post by **James** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:03 pm

It maybe that the size is what scares them. the humming birds are their size so are not intimidating.

James

Nagdabit · Post by **Nagdabit** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:04 pm

Our Zebras are near a window, but they can't really see out of it. I do know however, that they can hear and will respond to the outside birds, usually in a non-threatened manner. I'm guessing the lack of visibility coupled with sound being muffled puts them more at ease.

Since they are back here where our computer is, they will even respond to sounds they hear from that. (Although I will on rare occasions play sound bites from hawks and other predators on the computer just to gauge their reactions. I know, I'm evil) Nevertheless their sense of hearing is amazing. They'll peep along to the ringing of the phone, the squeak of a door, and even a noise from the television, which is at the other end of the house. Too, I can get the whole room going just by hitting a high note on the harmonica. Oodles of fun.

It even sounds to us like they have incorporated various things that they've heard, into their pattern of communication. Males that have been born here have excerpts to their songs that are unique, and seem to mimic sound clips or music that I've played while working back here. A couple of guys even have a different call that they use. The one male (Squee) instead of the basic peep, beep or meep, goes PA-deep. (The wife says he has a peep impediment) It's really funny when he gets worked up and will rattle eight to ten of them off in machine gun fashion. And just recently another young male sounds like he had adopted Squee's call.

We are constantly amazed at the intelligence, versatility, and individuality that these little 4 inch creatures display.

FINCHforum

Bird Feeder

Bird Feeder

Re: Bird Feeder