I live in So. Calif and have recently become interested in bird feeding. I have feeders for thistle that finches like and have heard that the Goldfinch (vs the common Housefinch) can eat upside down. There are feeders that accomodate this trait just for the Goldfinch without attracting the Housefinch. Does the Goldfinch range include So. Calif and will this special feeder induce them to feed? Finally, what is it about the Goldfinch that enables it to eat upside down while the other finches cannot?
2007-02-23 07:15:10 · 5 answers · asked by shaboom2k 4 in Pets ➔ Birds
Aaah, you've never watched the Pine Siskin. A cheeky little finch that eats at any angle it takes to get at the food! They range throughout the US including So. CA.
If you're feeding thistle, they'll be around soon!
I used to get the netted stocking for thistle but found the constant landing of those little bird feet soon had more seed on the ground (for the squirrels and voles) than was feeding the birds. Get a solid plastic feeder with the tiny holes.
Happy birdwatching!
.
2007-02-23 10:32:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, the are two species of Goldfinch in So. Cal, the Lesser and American Goldfinch. They will eat upside down, but will eat rightside up as well. Not sure why the House Finch does not like to do the "upside-down" thing. There are other bird species that eat upside down such as nuthatches and creepers.
2007-02-23 07:49:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think the european goldfinch is different to yours...but in the uk we have several finches that use feeders and can eat upside down including the goldies...we have green finches and siskins the house sparrow is a type of finch and they can feed in this way also
2007-02-23 08:22:19 · answer #3 · answered by toni lee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not, Pine Siskins and redpolls can eat upside down too. I suspect it has to do with leg morphology, these finches are better suited to hang onto things upside down than Carpodacus finches. In the wild you can see them hanging onto thistle and various other grasses in odd positions to get the seeds. You may notice certain other birds (chickadees, some warblers) can hang onto the ends of branches upside down to feed as well.
2007-02-24 05:17:30 · answer #4 · answered by Strix 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure but you should look it up on google.com. Sorry you can't just click on that. You will have to type it.
2007-02-23 07:44:00 · answer #5 · answered by kool aid man. 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋