Goldfinches and Bluebirds

Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2002 12:54:50 -0400
From: Lisa Bennett lisab"at"superdups.com
To: "BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu" (BLUEBIRD-L) BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Correlation with Goldfinches?

Hi everyone!
Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever figured out what the correlation between bb's and goldfinches are? Everywhere my EBU goes there are at least 4 or 5 gold finches that seem to follow him everywhere. The Blues don't seem to mind, I think they enjoy eachother. Has there been any studies regarding this wonderment? Lisa

Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2002 13:22:16 -0400
From: Pamela Ford jpford"at"comcast.net
Subject: RE: Correlation with Goldfinches?
To: lisab"at"superdups.com, BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu (BLUEBIRD-L)

Hi, Lisa. This is a subject that has come up on this list previously, you may be able to find details in the "best of". My local blues are also shadowed by finches. Although house finches make up the majority of these "hangers-on", goldfinches are included also. While I don't recall that a scientific conclusion or definitive answer was ever given, many on the list commented that it may be a matter of the seed-eating finches seeking the protection of the better eyesight of the insect-eating bluebirds. The theory being that the bluebirds would alert to danger faster than the finches could. Interesting theory, but as I said, I believe it's just a theory.

I also find it interesting to see which species of bird are tolerated by the bluebirds and which are agressively chased off. In my backyard with a nesting pair of blues, they tolerate the finches, robins, chipping sparrows, juncos (although they are finally gone as of last week), ad surprisingly enough, Starlings. They are agressive towards house sparrows, tree swallows, and mockingbirds.

I wonder if this is standard or if it varies geographically?

Pam in Harford County, Maryland

From: "judymellin" judymellin"at"netzero.net
To: "BLUEBIRD-L" BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2002 16:31:49 -0700

I think this is also a regional correlation. We have many goldfinches on our natural areas restoration site and, while they inhabit the same space as the bluebirds, I have never seen any association.

It was interesting to read about this, though, and just proves how little we know or can ever hope to know.

Judy Mellin

From: blmyers"at"iupui.edu
Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2004 8:40 PM
Subject: momma BB vs. male goldfinch

Are goldfinches considered a threat to BB's? I saw a female BB absolutely go off on this male goldfinch in her territory. I also saw a pair of BB's beat the snot out of a sparrow this afternoon--they looked like a couple of mob bosses on a snitch! They kicked this sparrow's tailfeathers--the sparrow was pinned to the ground while the BB pair pecked like there was no tomorrow! The sparrow was able to get away, but not without learning a valuable lesson, it looked like.

From: Dottie Roseboom [mailto:rosedot"at"mtco.com]
Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2004 9:31 PM
Subject: Re: momma BB vs. male goldfinch

In the winter, I've counted upwards to 50 goldfinches at one time in our yard.   Most of them stay around for summer nesting.  I've never seen a problem between them and the blues.   I wouldn't be too concerned about yours either.  The goldfinches are primarily seed eaters and usually nest later in the season than the blues.  They do NOT use nestboxes, so there's little in the way of competition between the 2 species.  I have one nestbox within 30 ft of an area that usually contains goldfinch nests.  When nesting happens to overlap, both seem to go their own ways. And yes, some blues can really give it to the HOSP.  Unfortunately, in some areas, the HOSP population is large enough, that the male does nothing but fight one HOSP after another.  I've seen some of these eventually give up and find a different location for nesting.  That's why I always have another nestbox available for HOSP or the displaced blues.
    Dottie Roseboom
    Peoria    IL    (central)

From: Bruce Burdett [mailto:blueburd"at"tds.net]
Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2004 11:37 AM
Subject: Re: momma BB vs. male goldfinch blmeyers,et al

Goldfinches are not a threat to Bluebirds, but they do seem to just hang around them a lot. They seem to like them, to be curious, and to enjoy being near them. Sometimes the Bluebirds lose patience with them and shoo them off, especially if they (the Bluebirds) have an active nest nearby. Bruce Burdett, SW NH

From: Maynard Sumner [mailto:m-r-sumner"at"juno.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 11:07 AM
Subject: RE: A brief encounter

Hi All,

I have been seeing something at my home I would like to tell you about. I have been having ten to fifteen Bluebirds coming around and I see one that the others will let in with them. He is with the Goldfinch and Black-cap Chickadees that come to the Goldfinch feeder. He will set on top and look for food. If the other Bluebirds come around the Goldfinch and Black-cap Chickadees will not let them get near the one Bluebird.

Maynard Sumner
Flint, MI

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