We have 4 blackbirds feeding - 2 males, 2 females. Frequently we see one female accompanied by two males chasing around. This morning, something strange. One male preventing a female from feeding. It wasn’t nice to see. Any ideas?
This is normal behaviour. Blackbirds will have breeding territories now. Not sure if the 'feeding' is referring to feeding for worms on a lawn for example, or supplementary feeding, which runs the risk of creating conflict near a nest site. If the latter, stopping putting food out will likely resolve the issue. If it's the former, things should calm down naturally, esp once young have fledged.
Thanks for this. It’s on the site where I put out seeds and mealworms for them. But so many other quite amicable species are feeding too that I hesitate to stop quite yet….
Another option would be to trim down feeding, so only food in feeders is put out. That would reduce the draw for visiting blackbirds but still carry on feeding most other garden species.
The problem is that the only species that feeds on the feeders is the tit!! All the others ground feed (finches, robins, sparrows, blackcaps) and won’t go near the feeders! Perhaps something to do th them all being French !
The outsider blackbird is likely to give up anyway I suspect. Now it's almost April, blackbirds will have no problem finding food......especially with all the rain that's been about. Blackcaps should be moving off soon, if not already (incl in France I would think). All those species are capable of feeding from feeders, but are possibly choosing the easier option. Forcing them to put some effort in will inevitably have them back on the feeders in no time.
well they’ll have good practice for the next two days as we are away! Thanks for the info.