[Maine-birds] Re: How did they learn about us

On Saturday, 24 November 2018 10:23:47 UTC-4, John Eggebrecht wrote:

We are new to this bb and are grateful for what we have learned so far.  For a couple of years we've had a "squirrel-proof" Audubon with black oil seeds and we've had a few titmouse, chickadee, nuthatch, and goldfinch.  This year we nailed a shallow wooden box on the end of an 8' 2"x3', set in the ground with concrete and surrounded by a 4" PVC pipe.  Immediately the population jumped and we've all of the usual plus a flock of Juncos.  But at the end of the first week of feeding a group of Evening Grosbeaks (at least 8) appeared.  How did they find us?  We are in town in Bucksport and the feeder is sheltered by our house and by cedars.  We've also had white throat, chipping, and fox sparrows - maybe a pair of vespers, just before the snow fell.  Does information move between species?  Do flight patterns or songs transmit information?

When your life depends on finding food, John, you get very good at learning every sign and clue.

First as a youngster, birds tend to follow adults and learn the what, where and when of foraging. Then it's a life-long process of refining the art.

As far as finding a specific spot: it could be any combination of things that draws a bird. Seeing and hearing other birds (not just their own species) plays a role.

Most birds have calls associated with feeding, just like they have alarm calls, and other species learn to recognize those sounds, too.

Birds recognize places of safety and possibly food, such as your "sheltered" place with its trees.

Lots of other birds around may signal a spot that's worth checking.

Once a bird locates the possible habitat, it's a short hop to actually finding your conspicuously offered food.  

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