WBU Educational Resources
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The Great
Backyard
Bird Count
Major sponsorship provided by
Wild Birds Unlimited. |
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 Click
here for more topics about
backyard birdfeeding and the
wild birds visiting your yard!
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Choosing a Seed
Did you know that Black-capped Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches
"weigh" seed?
Chickadees and nuthatches are frequently seen coming to feeders, selecting a
seed and flying off to hammer it open. |
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According to a study by
members of the department of biology at University of Vermont published in
The Auk vol. 114 1997, Black-capped Chickadees and Red-breasted
Nuthatches take oil sunflower seeds selectively and discriminate between
seeds based on heft. Throughout the study, the chickadees and nuthatches
choose the heavier and bigger seeds over the lighter seeds. This is probably
because chickadees and nuthatches use energy to fly away with the seed and
thus, choose the seed that gives them the most for their effort.
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