Pigeons Picking Up Some Food From Moving Lighter In Garden

Birds may even be able to recognize bird feeders, not because of evolution, but simply because they are familiar with them. They may also start to learn the routines of people putting out food in their garden - have you ever gone to put out some food in the morning to find a bird is already waiting for you?

Once a bird has found a source of food, it may call to its mate or if there is plenty to go round to other members of its flock. However, if other uninvited birds turn up then they may begin fighting over food and the threat calls can alert other birds that something interesting is going on so they will join the party.

During the summer, food is plentiful for every bird species. Some, like the robin, will eat earthworms and grubs that they find in and on the ground. Birds such as chickadees and nuthatches have no problem finding the various insects that they eat or such items as berries.

Most songbirds will have a warm-weather diet that includes insects and seeds along with things like berries and buds. It is in the winter months that birds have a difficult time finding enough food to eat. Species that depend solely on insects such as barn swallows and martins are forced to head far enough south where they can continue to find and feed on insects.

Birds like the cardinal and the blue jay will not head south when the cold weather approaches. These birds will eat whatever they can find and then digest in the winter, including seeds, nuts, and dried berries and fruits.

In places where winters are severe, many species have learned to survive by depending on people who have bird feeders where seeds are plentiful. Omnivorous birds, which include the crow and the raven, will get by eating a combination of carrion, mice and other things, including garbage.