Natural History Wanderings

The University of Exeter reports on a recent study on what birds dominate at Feeders

Burly bird gets the worm

The pecking order of garden birds is determined by their size and weight, new research shows.

In a study at bird feeders, researchers from the University of Exeter and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) found larger species like house sparrows and greenfinches monopolised the best food and spent longer feeding than smaller birds.

Meanwhile, smaller birds such as blue tits and coal tits had to feed quickly and were left with lower-quality food.

The researchers say the findings have “important implications” for using bird feeders as a conservation method.

Read full story at Featured news – Burly bird gets the worm – University of Exeter