This week we set up an experiment as part of our bird study. We were curious about what attracts birds to feeders, beyond the promise of yummy seeds! Were they looking for feeders in more sheltered places? Feeders with certain kinds of foods? Feeders that look attractive? How could we find out?
We put two bird feeders together - one clear and one with bright color or decorations, to see which would be visited more frequently. The food inside was measured so that all feeders started with the same amount. When the week ended, what would be the results?
Some kids believed that a brighter, more colorful feeder would attract more birds as it would be more visually stimulating. Other kids hypothesized that the clear feeders would be more popular as the birds could see the food inside.
Many discoveries were made today, but they also led to more questions. We noticed that between the blue feeder and its clear companion, more food was eaten out of the clear feeder. However, we had seen a lot of squirrel activity on that feeder so are suspicious if it was really preferred by the birds or just a case of squirrel tampering?
Of the two finch feeders, both feeders seemed to have the same amount of food displaced. These feeders have small ports, so only finches or other birds with small beaks can easily get the seeds out. Are we to conclude that the finches have no preference when it comes to pretty versus plain feeders?
The cluster of feeders on the other side of our outdoor classroom space saw the most activity. There are many feeders hanging off two trees close together and near one of the sheds giving this area a little more shelter. But we are still not sure if this is the result of bird preference or squirrel invasion! One of these feeders was even discovered open and on the ground today! Despite putting up squirrel specific feeders, these rascals clearly want a paw in all the action!
Next week, we'll have to reflect on our data. Check out the pictures below of our experiment:
Feeder "before" pictures:
Those darn squirrels!!
Squirrel feeders:
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