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Question
Its freezing here right now with a foot of snow on the ground. I have been careful to keep my bird feeder loaded so that nobody will starve. I noticed a while ago that there were no birds in the area, and apparently none hungry to eat right now. An unusual situation.
Then I found out why. There was a big hawk in the tree not 10 feet from my kitchen window. Closest I've ever been to one! I just stared at him for a while.
Question: Do they eat regular bird seed or was he waiting for a winged snack?
It was waiting for a winged snack. They do not eat seeds. Please do not be upset by this. It is part of nature's plan. Predators mostly get the weak, slow, sick and dumb, and help to keep the species strong.
Another example of this, here in Oklahoma where hunters have replaced the Wolf and Mountain lions, we harvest more than 100,000 Whitetail deer every year, and the herd is still growing. The smarter and stronger avoid the hunters or feed at night.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | I was pretty sure that I had the answer right, and I understand the survival of the species concept. I just didn't know if I should set up another feeder that would accomodate him/her. Thanx for your timely and clear response. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Bluebird Bob Walshaw
Expertise
I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.
Experience
I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.
Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance
Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World
Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.
Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.
Past/Present Clients
Many
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