Birding/bird feeders

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Expert: - 5/6/2004


Question
how do birds FIND a feeder? do they just stumble upon it? sorry...I guess that's two questions !!

Answer
Some birds are permanent residents of an area and learn the area quite well. Some wander over larger areas than others. But if a feeder is put in their usual area, they will soon find it. Some birds are only summer residents, or winter residents of an area, but again, they learn the area and eventually find the feeder. Migratory birds may or may not find the feeder as they pass through. Some people wonder why,after they put up a feeder, no birds come to it for a long time. Often the reason is that they put the feeder up in the summer or late spring when there is plenty of other food around. Late fall and winter is when the majority of birds go to feeders. For more information on wild birds, go to www.ornithology.com. Roger Lederer

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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