I've wondered the same about other species that don't stick around much
at our feeders, e.g. red-bellied woodpecker, tufted titmouse, Carolina
wren...why not stay when you find a good thing?  I understand the need
to not put one's eggs all in one basket (or diversify one's investments)
but staying at a well-stocked feeding site for only 5 minutes seems like
extreme "asset diversification".  Is predator avoidance part of the
strategy?

-------------------------------------------
Michel A. Cavigelli
Research Soil Scientist
Sustainable Agricultural Systems Lab
Animal and Natural Resources Institute
Bldg 001, Rm 140
BARC-West
10300 Baltimore Ave.
Beltsville, MD 20705
 
301-504-8327 office
240-304-9480 cell
301-504-8370 fax
------------------------------------------- 
-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Jenny McClintock
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 10:39 AM
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Pine Siskins behavior question

Just wondering...Is this "hit and run" behavior typical for Pine
Siskins? If so, does anyone know the reason for this behavior? 

When the flock of Siskins visited my feeders, there was still plenty of
seed left, but they all took off after a short 5 minutes, never to
return. Seems to be the same with others, as reported here.

Thanks,

Jenny McClintock
Columbia, MD

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Felicia Lovelett <> 

> I've been carefully checking my thistle feeder for Pine Siskins and
haven't 
> seen any since late fall. 
> 
> This morning six siskins darted in and shoved the larger goldfinches
out of 
> the way. The were all gone within five minutes! 
> 
> 
> Felicia Lovelett 
> Sykesville, MD 
>