20 replies to this topic

[cwj2323]

We've begun trapping house sparrows in the hopes of getting Tree Swallows to nest here. So the HOSP would be interested in the bait, we've stopped throwing bird seed on the ground for the other sparrows, doves, etc. We use safflower and peanuts in the shell to keep some of the other birds, like Cardinals, Jays, etc. Well, those silly HOSP have figured out how to eat safflower seed. Most of our finches are gone now, just a few House Finches and they eat about anything. I am not sure there is a feeder that would be strictly HOSP-proof that would allow the cardinals to eat from it.

We've not trapped a HOSP in several days because they found the plentiful food source. Someone suggested white bread, but we tried popcorn and that worked only a couple days. I was hoping to get most of these before nesting season, but I think some have already started, but not sure. I am not seeing as many and we know we haven't trapped that much.

At this point, I am wondering if we should basically stop feeding the birds. I'd hate to do this, but not sure what other options there are. Does anyone have any ideas that I am not thinking of.

Thank you for any help.

[spyonabird]

I use Millet in my trap. Seems to work the best. I have HOSP that eat the safflower too, so it is hard to keep them away from the feeders. I find that it I feed a fruit and nut mix, the HOSP stay away from the feeder. The cardinals, chickadees, Blue Jays and Titmouse like the nuts. The Robins and Mockingbirds like the fruit. The only downside is that the Grackles like it too.
Good luck

[cabirds]

I'm still waiting to see photos of a Safflower eating a House Sparrow...

[cwj2323]

Oh dear, cabirds. I cannot change it now, so we're stuck.

Spyonabird, I could try the fruit and nut mix and see what happens. Last fall the hosp kept taking the nuts, only to deposit them elsewhere, but maybe they've forgotten. Crazy birds.

[bluebirdlover]

I've stopped feeding the millet mixes and now only feed nuts, fruit and mealworms on my porch. And in the feeders I put thistle & safflower and black oil sunflower seeds. So far the HOSPs show no interest in the safflower but they try to break up the peanuts.

[meghann]

I've stopped with the millet mixes, too, with the exception of the millet in the suet blocks I put out. We've also stopped with sunflower seeds. Too many cowbirds take over the feeder if I put that out. We have safflower in one, thistle in another, and the suet. (Well, and a hummingbird feeder but that's beside the point.) I've been considering doing a peanut tray and a mealworm tray. We've got some wrens and bluebirds that would probably appreciate it.

[bluebirdlover]

If you do the mealworms, and dont grow your own, prepare for a large expense. I started feeding the live mealworms to my bluebirds and now the chickadees, titmice & red bellied woodpeckers have found the bowl. I am going to put out dried mealworms for these guys. Cheaper and much less hasstle. I will keep giving the bluebirds the live ones though. There are a few companies on line that are USA mealworms. If you go to Lowe's walmart etc. the mealworms and much of the other seeds etc are from china. That's BS.

[spyonabird]

I get my mealworms from Camillies Vita-mealies. They are always alive and plump. They are also organic fed. If you are a bluebird society member in FLA or NC, I think they give you an extra discount. The prices are reasonable and shipping is included.
I have NO vested interest in this company, this is only a personal recommendation. I hope the spammer gods will forgive me this one indiscretion...

[Lutya]

I use the Vita-mealies to feed my leopard gecko. I also recommend them (not affiliated).

[Bigfoot]

Oh dear, cabirds. I cannot change it now, so we're stuck.

How would you like it to read???

Evil Safflower Consuming HOSP (No under 14)


Bigfoot

I'll just do it...

[cabirds]

So there's an Evil Safflower consuming House Sparrows? Got film of that? That sounds awesome!

Not picking on you, CWJ. English is a funny language that way, and one piece of out-of-place punctuation can destroy everything.

Read: "Eats, Shoots and Leaves : The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation." It's a hilarious (instructional) book. I admit, I'm lazier about it than I should be...

[JimBob]

Hehe. . . me like the new name! Of coarse all HOSP are evil!

[Pat B.]

Read: "Eats, Shoots and Leaves : The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation." It's a hilarious (instructional) book. I admit, I'm lazier about it than I should be...

I LOVE that book! I thought I was the only one who has read it. I really do want to walk around town with a bottle of White-Out to remove errant apostrophes, although I have never done it.

[Inzl Kett]

To keep HOSP away from my feeders, I don't use millet or safflower. I stick with the larger nuts and sunflower seeds.

[bluebirdlover]

I'll have to get that book for my daughter.
I haven't trapped hosps in 2 weeks. Then a couple took over a bb house that a chickadee had been building her nest in. I let the hosps get real comfy for a week, then put in my VanErt trap and within 1/2 hr got the male. I stuck him in my repeating sparrow trap as a decoy and sure enough the female was trapped within 2 hours.

[JimBob]

Congrats! I want to get one of those things.

[Pat B.]

I'll probably be sorry I asked this, but what are you trapping HOSPs for? Game? Food? Poisoning? Moving elsewhere? Serious question - I've never heard of this before.

[spyonabird]

Most bluebirds "landlords" will trap and dispatch House Sparrows to protect our native species alhough some people do not agree with this practice. Here is a video of a house sparrow attack in one of my bluebird houses a few years ago.

[JimBob]

Did she kill them?

[spyonabird]

Did she kill them?

The babies survived. We saw the attack with the camera and were able to scare her away.