Pulling Rank at the Bird Feeder

Bird feeders full of seeds or suet can spark nonstop action. Chickadees flitter in and out. Finches expertly crack one seed after another, while jays, doves, woodpeckers and sparrows all join the flurry. This might bring to mind a neighborly picnic — but it’s not quite as friendly. At any given moment, there’s a distinct hierarchy in effect. More dominant birds are usually able to displace lower-ranking birds. But not always! The next time you’re watching a bird feeder, try to figure out who’s in charge.

BirdNote^®
Pulling Rank at the Bird Feeder
Written by Bob Sundstrom

This is BirdNote.

[Black-capped Chickadee]

Bird feeders full of seeds or suet can spark nonstop action. Chickadees flitter in and out. Finches expertly crack one seed after another, while nuthatches stab at suet. Jays, doves, woodpeckers and sparrows all join the flurry. Where seed lies scattered on the ground, dozens of birds hop, peck, shuffle and flick their wings and tails.

This might bring to mind a neighborly picnic — but it’s not quite as friendly. At any given moment, there’s a distinct hierarchy in effect. A blackbird brusquely takes over a finch’s perch at the feeder. Juncos scratching at the ground jump out of the way when a jay lands near them. Even among juncos, adults oust young’uns from prime feeding spots.

Simply put, more dominant birds are able to displace lower-ranking birds.
Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology has created relative dominance scores for birds that visit feeders. The scale is based on observations people have made at their backyard feeders.*

In general, bigger birds rank higher. But not always. A pint-sized Downy Woodpecker can eject some larger birds from the feeder. Is it because woodpeckers have especially spiky bills and powerful claws? Feisty small birds like warblers and hummingbirds — tiny dominators — often chase off weightier species.

So the next time you’re watching a bird feeder, try to figure out who’s in charge.

For BirdNote, I’m Mary McCann.

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© 2020 BirdNote December 2020 & November 2022/2025
Narrator: Mary McCann

ID# dominance-03-2020-12-31 dominance-03

References:
* These observations are made through Project FeederWatch and the Great Backyard Bird Count
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/when-136-bird-species-show-up-at-a-f…
www.upi.com/amp/Science_News/2018/09/06/Bird-feeders-create-a-hierarchy…