[TN-Bird] hand feeding wild birds...second try!
- From: jreese5@xxxxxxx
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 22 Dec 2002 14:18:41 -0600
Sorry...keep forgetting I can't cut and paste into this list...this will be
my Friday column and thought it might be fun, especially if some of you
have kids that would enjoy it...
"It takes a dummy to chase winter blues away.."
I've been told by a couple of different people of their resident
mockingbird "friends" that will come when called. This sounded like fun. I
have a lot of the big Oriental persimmons from our family orchard down in
Mississippi, so I thought I'd use these to tempt the mockingbirds that hang
around the building at work. As soon as I pulled up, I got out of the car
making some loud "pishing" sounds. I also called "Mocker, mocker,
mocker..." which made me feel pretty foolish. They don't know they're
mockingbirds!
I strolled around holding the bright orange fruit up in the air. Then I put
the persimmon on the ground and walked into the building. They came
immediately! Now, they've learned to recognize my car . When I drive into
the parking lot, they head for the trees near my usual parking spot, and
watch to see where I'll put the fruit.
As they get friendlier and more trusting, it's tempting to see if I can
teach them to come closer, maybe even to eat from my hand. I don't know why
this is such a fascinating thought, but it is, and I'm evidently not alone
in this. In fact, I discovered two books out currently that offer various
techniques on "hand-taming" wild birds. I also found a variety of moving
accounts from individuals who were not only able to induce a bird to eat
out of their hand, but became emotionally entwined with "their" bird's
family - watching it find a mate, bring the spouse along for treats, and
pass on the relationship of trust to the offspring.
Naturally bold birds like chickadee, tufted titmouse and mockingbird, are
easiest to train. Most methods, described were similar, involving feeding
the birds at a certain hour each day and standing a little closer each
time after putting out the food. It's also suggested you keep the birds a
little hungry. The birds at my house have a continuous "all-you-can-eat
buffet" so this would mean a total change in how I serve my winged friends.
Instead, I might be tempted to try a method described as very successful in
the January, 2000 issue of "Tennessee Conservationist" magazine. Bob
Fulcher, a regional interpretive specialist with Tennessee State Parks, had
learned of someone who put a fake arm (stuffed sleeve and glove) onto a
window feeder. When the birds became accustomed to it, a real arm was put
in its place. This expanded into putting a whole dummy out in the yard on a
chair, and using that as a bird feeding platform. Then, you guessed it, the
dummy was replaced by Bob himself, wearing similar garb to the dummy. It's
a good idea to put dark sunglasses on the dummy and yourself so that the
movement of your eyes won't give you away. A hat might be a good idea, too,
for a couple of reasons I'll leave to your imagination.
Carol Reese
Ornamental Horticulture Specialist -Western District
University of Tennessee Extension Service
605 Airways Blvd.
Jackson TN 38301
731 425 4721 email jreese5@xxxxxxx
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