We had our second snow of the season, or maybe it was the third—I’ve lost count now. This one may stick around a bit since the temps are staying pretty low. Did you get any snow over the past few days?
I filled up the feeder that I currently have out; my other larger one needs cleaning. I placed a ton of seed in a trash can lid atop the snow for the squirrels and ground feeders. One thing that’s been a bit disappointing with birdfeeding here in Ohio is a drastic lack of variety in the birds that I see coming to my feeders. As soon as I fill the feeders, they are covered up by these cute, fluffy brown birds that fly in in huge numbers. Do these look like sparrows? They completely take over the feeders. Even when I put out both of my feeders, including a larger one that has a nice, wide cardinal ring and holds a ton of seed, both feeders are empty by mid-afternoon due to the brown birds seen in the photo below. I can’t even keep the feeders filled for a full day due to the brown birds. It has almost made me want to give up on birdfeeding since the seed I purchase from Wild Birds Unlimited is not cheap, and all I get are brown birds with the occasional Mourning Dove or Cardinal.
Cardinals could easily feed from the feeder I put out today if they could just find a spot to land. Mostly, they just sit in the tree and stare at the feeders since they can’t find an empty perch for even a second due to all the brown birds. (Note the Cardinal on the far left, near the top of the photo below.) It makes me sad to see them wanting to eat but can’t due to all the brown birds taking over the feeders. The seed I currently have out is sunflower and safflower, which cardinals like, but the brown birds must love it too, since they’ve kept the feeder covered up today.
In Georgia, I see everything under the sun on a daily basis, including Chickadees, Cardinals, Mockingbirds, Robins, Wrens, Brown Thrashers, Nuthatches, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, Goldfinches, Red-winged Blackbirds, Blue Jays, Tufted Titmice, and Bluebirds.
If you live in or near Ohio, do these birds take over your feeders, too? I don’t mind them coming to feed, if they just wouldn’t come in huge numbers and completely monopolize the feeders so the other birds never get a chance.
Changing topics, remember all those mystery holes the kitties found in the Butler’s Pantry and the upstairs hall bath. A handyman came out and repaired all three holes. He also installed this adorable fairy door in the door that leads into the laundry/furnace room, where the kitties’ litter boxes are kept. Beatrice and Agatha didn’t hesitate to give it a try. In this photo below, I have the little door locked in place so it doesn’t move when the actual door is opened and closed.
They love zooming in and out of the laundry room. I’m pretty sure they know this little door was installed just for them.
My oldest grandson was curious if we could see through the little round window when the fairy door is closed. So we turned on the light in the laundry room, closed the door, and yup, you can see right through it. How cute is that!
Another purchase that’s been a huge hit with the kitties is this super cute Christmas tree. I purchased it hoping it would distract the kittens from climbing and nibbling on the lower branches of my Christmas tree. I think it has helped; they are obsessed with their new tree and spend a lot of time playing on it and sleeping inside.
They love knocking the little felt snowflakes off and carrying them around in their mouth. I stick them back on, and the game starts all over again. They also love zooming across the living room and leaping straight into one of the openings at full speed. They are hysterical and have no fear!
If you have kitties that need a distraction away from your Christmas tree, this one has been a huge hit with these babies. (Kitty Christmas tree is available here: Kitty Christmas Tree.)
A few more photos of the tree in use…seems like someone is always inside.
I’m headed off to Georgia soon for a Christmas Home Tour. Hopefully, I’ll be able to take a few photos to share with you.
Your new kitties are utterly adorable!
Aww, thanks Bonnie! They are keeping me busy and on my toes. lol
Hi Susan,
I am wondering if it is truly the birds eating all the feed, or the squirrels coming along after. I always have feed hanging and I find in the winter I give the birds suet instead of feed. The suet seems to last longer as the squirrels have a hard time getting to it as I put it in hanging cages. Just love the cat tree…you find the most amazing things…
It’s def the birds. Both of the feeders are 100% squirrel-proof, so the squirrels ignore them. It’s just the brown birds take up all the room on all the perches, so the cardinals and other birds never get a chance. I think if I had 15 feeders out, I’d have 15 feeders covered in brown birds and they would still never get a chance to eat. I had suet up last year…the spicy kind that squirrels don’t like but that the birds love. I can’t remember why I took it down last year…oh, it’s because the feeder I was using for it kept coming apart. I need to bring one of my suet feeders from GA to Ohio
Gracious!
The kittens are so kitten-y!! ♥♥♥
Wendy http://www.theInspiredEater.com
Yes, indeed! lol
Good morning! Those almost look like Carolina wrens, but why would they be in Ohio. I put out something similar on our covered during our occasional snowstorm here in Clemson. One year we were invaded by grackles. It was horrible, and the mess left behind was something. I LOVE the kitty tree and fairy door. Just adorable! Safe drive back to GA.
They are cute birds, very fat and fluffy…just wish they wouldn’t arrive 50 at the time! I’ve had the grackles issue before in GA. The only thing to do is take the feeders in until they move on, or at least that’s what Wild Birds Unlimited told me.
Thanks, Roxanne!
I love you kitties! So cute.
Thanks, Mary!
Oh, I have been there! Used to buy the shelled sunflower seeds from Wild Birds Unlimited so there would be less mess around the feeder. My husband said we were buying gourmet bird food to attract a better quality of bird. That all stopped when a bear – yes, a bear – came and took our the feeder in one swoop and sat on the crass pouring the seed I just bought into his mouth! No more feeding birds. Now in an apartment on the second floor….big floor to ceiling windows… the people downstairs have three feeders so we get to enjoy without the expense or mess. Mostly brown birds, cardinals, blue jays…and every so often a woodpecker !
Oh my gosh! That is a hoot, Ann! I’m sure Mr. Bear appreciated that special birdseed! Glad you have a great way to enjoy the birds now without all the expense and frustration!
Good morning Susan,
I think it is the squirrels that are keeping the cardinals in the tree. They could muscle right in there with those little brown birds. Once you get a hanging feeder that the squirrels can’t get to, the other birds will come. Especially if you have another feeder for the clown squirrels. They are entertaining as well.
I don’t think it’s the squirrels because both of the feeders that I use are 100% squirrel proof, so they never get on the feeders. The Cardinals just never get a chance on the two feeders because they are always covered up the brown birds…still not sure what kind of bird they are. Sometimes if I leave the feeders empty for a few days, then fill them and put them out. The cardinals can sneak in for a few hours until the brown birds notice the feeders are full again, then a huge flock of them arrive, like 50, and they take over the feeders again and empty them within a few hours. Argh!
The variety of birds at my feeders was a wonderful surprise when we moved into our Georgia home. We had mostly sparrows at our feeder in the Chicago suburbs.
That may be what I’m seeing at my feeder. They could be house sparrows.
Awww…love the kitty tree, so cute. It is a treat to see photos of them and their antics.
Thanks, Jillian! They are so loving and so sweet…really enjoying them.
XXX
I think your brown birds are “Cow birds.” Look them up. Their behavior fits the bill… Ha!
I occasionally get cow birds in GA, but these don’t really look like those. Those always had dark bodies and brown heads…and were a good bit bigger. I have a feeling these are some kind of house sparrow…they are so rotund and fluffy though, that’s throwing me off from what I normally think of as sparrows.
Darn, thought I had the answer for you. Who knew a sparrow could be so bossy or dominate over the other species of birds. I hope you find a solution. I know how much you have enjoyed your wild bird keeping in GA. Keep us posted on those little devils and how you solve their greedy little appetites. Happy Holidays to you!
The kitty door is so cute. One question….will they still fit through when the kittens are full grown?
They are supposed to be able to; the info on the door says that cats up to 20lbs will fit through. It’s amazing what cats can squeeze through!
Hello! If the birds are fairly small (in comparison to cardinals or robins) your brown birds are probably a common species of sparrow or finch. At first I thought perhaps juncos, which are small and cute but I think are gray with a white underbelly.
I think you’re right…several readers are saying they look like English Sparrows and are a problem here.
Hi Susan – those look like English sparrows. We had them growing up in Michigan and they are also the most common I’ve seen around here in North Central Ohio. I don’t have a feeder but I do see cardinals and blue jays with the occasional finch and a LOT of crows. BTW, I was shocked to see that sparrows in London’s Hyde Park look nothing like our English sparrows! 🙂
I think they’re house sparrows, Susan. And they’re piglets to be sure.
As for the fairy door and kitty Christmas tree, seriously, does it get any cuter than that????
I think you’re right about them being Sparrows. Another person mentioned they appear to be English Sparrows. I don’t know if we have those in GA. I’ve never seen birds like that look like these come in such large numbers.
Thanks! I love that cute fairy door, too!
-+
When I caught my cat catching hummingbirds I stopped with feeders. Hope someone can tell you what the brown birds are and maybe there is a seed they don’t like! I’m surprised a cardinal is not more bold with little birds.
You didn’t post a picture of the “hole” fix! I’m curious as to how the carpenter filled in the countertop area. Those kittens are so lucky! Their very own Christmas tree and they actually like it! You must be used to driving in the snow and ice, but I’ll still wish you a safe trip to Georgia.
It’s so hard to take a photo since it’s down under the cabinet. He cut pieces of thick plywood, the size of the holes and somehow managed to get those pieces nailed in. He knew what he was doing…glad I didn’t try to do it on my own.
Thanks, Kathleen! I’ve had a lot of fun spoiling them. They seem to love everything I buy for them, which amazes me. I’m used to having older kitties who ignore a lot of toys. lol
Hi Susan,
Your birds are English House Sparrows. They are non native and were brought to the US in the 1800s. They are very common. I live in Maryland and they raid my feeders constantly. They live in groups and love bushes and evergreens. Upside is that they do eat a lot of bugs in summer. Love your kitties!!
Lisa
Thanks, Lisa! I just did a search and I totally think you’re right. That does look like them. They are super cute birds, just wish they wouldn’t arrive in huge numbers at my feeders. Glad they eat bugs, hopefully mosquitoes! lol
My experience feeding birds is the cardinals are afraid of the squirrels. Birds don’t stop cardinals from perching on feeders. Those kitties are so cute and will keep you entertained for sure. I have 3 cats and they are are so precious to me because they are so loving. Praying you have a safe trip.
I wish my cardinals would run some of the brown birds off the feeder so they could eat a bit, but they just sit in the trees and watch…or each a few seeds from the ground. Oh, I love that! These two babies are very loving so far…love to snuggle. Thanks, Nancy!
I love Winter, nature, Christmas, snow and cats. Your photos are a gorgeous and magical celebration of all these things! Thank you so much for sharing, and warm greetings from a retired lady living in Montreal, Canada.
Thanks so much, Linda! I hope you are staying warm in Canada. Merry Christmas!
I live near you and the sparrows are a huge problem in the area for us birdfeeders . You will have another take over from starlings as well . This is my method for control of the problem; I feed a portion early morning and late evening unless there is a snowstorm then I will replenish mid day . The more seed you put out the more these birds will eat ….they never stop !! I shop at WBU , there are some feeders available that release slower amounts of seed , the employees there are very helpful. Your cats are adorable , I have 5 barn cats on my farm . Take care and good luck with your bird feeding !
Thanks for that info, Nancy; I will try that system. You are so right—I can fill both feeders all the way to the top and they will both be empty by 2:00 in the after noon…and one of those feeders holds a ton of seed, like enough to last for a 4-5 days under normal circumstances.
Oh my goodness! The sweetest kittens and that special tiny door for them! And I love love love their Christmas tree. So glad it is saving your actual Christmas tree. I know you are chilly there, but the snow is so beautiful. Please have a safe and fun trip to Georgia! That bird dilemma is a challenge!
Thanks, Vickie! Yes, it really is. I put up the second feeder today and sprinkled some seed on the ground and I actually saw a Chickadee and red-bellied woodpecker. Still a lot of brown birds but at least a bit more variety.
DELIGHTFUL and BEAUTIFUL article…!! Kitties….Birds…Christmas Decor..!! That photo of the Majestic Cardinal is an Award Winner…!! Thank you..!!
Thanks so much! I took those photos of the other birds through my kitchen bay window a few years ago in Georgia. I love the variety I used to get there.
Susan,feed only safflower seed for awhile until brown birds leave……they don’t like.Try. see how works.Merry Christmas every day.
I will def do that! Thanks for that suggestion!
That little fairy door is adorable! It could not be any cuter. Susan, it gives me so much joy when you post pictures of the kittens. If I have so much joy just looking at their pictures, I can imagine how much you have living with and cuddling them. I so wish I could have kittens! I’m glad I can enjoy them vicariously through you.