Re: [cobirds] Bushtit question

Great photo Willem

I have a similar little "gang" here in Denver.  Two of them have distinct markings so I can discern them from the rest.  The stacking just seems to be who hits the branch first and facing direction seems to be really variable.  Similarly when the gang hits my suet feeder, there doesn't seem to be any pecking order except one who seems to get pushed around by the others.  Normally they share the feeder with no squabbling. There are six different holes in a hanging log and they cover them all.

Cheers

Charlie

Denver

On Thu, Feb 24, 2022 at 9:23 AM Willem van Vliet <wwillem@gmail.com> wrote:

A small flock of bushtits visited our yard yesterday. It was just 5F.  When not feeding, they huddled closely together to keep warm, at times in regular head-tail-head-tail order  (https://ebird.org/checklist/S103608720). 

I could not detect if there was a pecking order and wonder if they rotate through the position on the outside, taking turns. If so, is it the weakest who are on the outside, losing the competition for the warmest spots on the inside?  Or is it the strongest on the outside, protecting weaker ones on the inside? Older birds outcompeting younger ones? Families or pairs in the center and left-over singles on the outside? Females seemed to be more often on the outside. Or is it all just random, first come, first served?

Anyone who can shed light on this?

Willem

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