A guest post by WBU-Saratoga Springs NY Sales Associate, Linda Miner
If you live in town, House Sparrows will probably be a fact of life at your birdfeeders.
You can try to discourage them by offering only niger seed in mesh feeders and suet in cages. But in the absence of other easy food sources, they may even find a way to feed from these feeders that are typically harder for them to use.
So you may just try to make peace with their constant presence, as I have. Maybe these ideas that work for me will help you as well.
Try Ground Feeding
White millet or WBU Select Blend broadcast on the ground may encourage House Sparrows to eat more on the ground and less on the birdfeeders.One benefit of this approach is that you may find that your ground feeding may also invite native sparrows like Song Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, American Tree Sparrows, and Chipping Sparrows. Their distinctive backward-scratching foraging method will help you distinguish native sparrows from House Sparrows.
Appreciate Their Plumage
Take some time to look at the intricate plumage on their back and wings. Or try to think of them as cute LBJs (Little Brown Jobs)!
Enjoy the Level of Activity at your Feeders
House Sparrows travel in big flocks so you'll always have birds at your feeders! They'll bathe in big flocks too; it's fun to watch the pool party.
So even if you don't come to love House Sparrows, you may start to enjoy them and show a little zen acceptance to their presence!
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My thanks to Linda for her very zen-like guest post!
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Barbara, good approach!
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | January 01, 2013 at 06:55 PM
The little flock of about 12 house sparrows that were here when I moved to this church in Central Ontario, has grown to about 25 or more... and while sometimes I shake my head at how much I feed them, they are little birds and they bring other little birds as you said... several other ground feeders come around because of the house sparrows activity. So you're right Nancy - accept and live with - much easier, less frustrating and much more fun!
Posted by: Barbara | December 14, 2012 at 09:24 AM