Date: Sun, 28 Jul 2002 05:06:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bruce Johnson <andyroooney@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Request for Info on feeding bluebirds
To: dmccue@usit.net, BLUEBIRD-L <bluebird-l@cornell.edu>
<Snip
--- Dan McCue <dmccue@usit.net> wrote:
BRUCE give us all the instructions again on how to teach the Blues to eat from
your hand like in your pics on your website.
<Snip>
Hello Dan & All -
Here is the page on my website you referred to and for those that want the text
and no pictures I am also doing a copy and paste of the text:
http://home.midsouth.rr.com/conservewildlife/handfeed.htm
This page is under construction. It will be edited and added to quite often. I
welcome your comments and criticisms. The purpose of the page is to help you get
Bluebirds, and other birds, if you desire, to eat from your hand.
First of all, I'm not implying that you should do this, and there are many other
ways, perhaps some of them are better. I'm just relating what works for me.
Second, Some people believe hand feeding bluebirds will cause them to become too
trusting of humans and place them in danger. My experience has been that they
will not have anything to do with a stranger, nor with me if my appearance or
approach is different.
1.) When you see bluebirds in your area, approach them as slowly as possible
until you reach a point that you know they can observe you. I have the worms in
and a small clear, low, steep sided container that the worms cannot climb out
of.
2.) Place this container either on the ground or on an object off the ground
that the container will not fall off. After doing this, move back a considerable
distance so the bluebirds will feel secure coming to investigate. Once they have
located the container and mealworms, from here on out all you need is a lot of
patience and understanding of the birds comfort zone.
3.) A couple of times each day, preferably about the same time place the
mealworms on or near the same spot for the birds. Once they become accustomed to
feeding from this container, you can move the container fairly substantial
distances. My experience has been that as long as they can see the container,
they will come to it. I have deliberately tried to see how the birds would
react. I have never moved the container so much that they failed to follow and
use it.
4.) When you have the birds feeding readily from the container, place the
container on a low table, about chair height. Place the container on the table
with the chair away from the table a distance that will allow the bluebirds to
feed comfortably.
5.) Gradually move your chair closer to the table until you can rest your hand,
then your arm on the table. Then gradually move your hand to until it it
touching the container. As the birds feed from the container with your hand
touching it, gradually cover most of the container until the birds are having to
touch your hand in getting to the mealworms.
6.) Turn your head slightly away from your hand and try not to move it, or your
hand and watch the birds out of the corner of your eye. Never look directly at
the bird when it is near you, they get much more cautious. It will probably take
a long time before the birds are comfortable with you looking at them.
7.) Turn your hand palm side up with a few mealworms in it. As soon as the birds
become comfortable feeding from your hand resting on their dish, you can move it
away gradually until they will come to you immediately.
8.) I have found that consistency is the most important in all things in gaining
the confidence of the birds. The same dress, time of day, no strangers anywhere
near close.
9.) Pay attention of how the birds react to you and different situations, you do
not have to be a genius to do this. If the birds are comfortable with you they
may perch on your hand and pickup several worms before leaving to feed their
young. Ofttimes it is easy to tell why they are apprehensive about coming to
you. It may be they feel that their escape routes are not as convenient. One
thing in particular is that they do not like to be lower than your waist. I
assume they really feel at a disadvantage.
Sidelights
My experience has been the during various stages of the nesting season, you will
find the bluebirds going through various stages of reacting with you. At times
you may find both the male and female on your hand picking up several worms each
before leaving. Other times, usually when the young have just fledged, the will
not come to your hand at all. This is one of the joys of working with the birds
up close. You get to understand them better than you ever would any other way.
Last of all, I never cease to thrill at the feel of their tiny little feet on
your fingers and the wonder of how delicate they are.
Best Regards to all,
Bruce Johnson
Life MBR NABS
Memphis Tennessee
