How to prevent HOUSE SPARROWS from swarming your bird feeder this winter! - Full Narrated Guide

[@sandeepp6300]

If you live in a rural area and have unlimited feed then maybe sparrows are ok. I love all birds. However sparrows can be a challenge. Their chirping is not soothing. They don't eat the whole seed. They bite and discard the husk . That makes a mess. If you live in a townhouse or apartment and have open balcony the husks will fall to the people below you. Even if balcony is closed the sparrows will bite the seeds sitting at the top of the balcony and still drop the mess downstairs. The can be agressive. I have seen them steal from pigeons mouth a couple of tines in urban parks where people were feeding them.

[@Sammytwo4]

All 🐦 birdies are welcome anytime at my feeder.

[@stellabastoneintoronto955]

If you are encouraging House Sparrows (and located where House Sparrows are not native, e.g., North America, South America, Australia, etc), you are creating burdens for the local native bird population, as the video explains. Native birds are struggling as it is; providing feeders for House Sparrows to mob only encourages higher populations of House Sparrows, in effect creating very bad news for other species.

[@arickle]

And soon house sparrows will be the only birdies you ever see.

[@Sammytwo4]

@@arickle I'm not sure there are any sparrows. Different birds depending on the season. Sounds like a dig, for what ever reason.

[@DebLL357]

@@Sammytwo4, I’m afraid arickle is right. I have bluebirds nesting right outside my kitchen window right now and they have three babies in there (what a blessing to see this right outside the window!), and I have been witnessing house sparrows relentlessly bothering the bluebirds all day long. The sparrows have a nest right across from the bluebirds and I had no idea how aggressive sparrows can be, nor did I have any idea how much of a problem it would be with these nests so close to each other. Also, as I am learning more about all the birds in our area, I’m definitely noticing how house sparrows are taking over our feeders and we are seeing less and less of other birds. I don’t think it was a “dig” at all, just someone sharing their experience/advice. I welcome all birds too, but I am just learning how aggressive these house sparrows can be towards other birds and it is sad. I have learned so much through this experience and I really appreciate others sharing their knowledge as I am learning.

[@Sammytwo4]

@@DebLL357 I don't see any sparrows. I find it odd, but there are none. Lots of 🕊️ dove's and a few species of small 🐦 Bird's but no sparrows. I get lots of crow's, but they are okay. They get my scrap's, so they don't worry about seeds. I get these big ass ring neck pigeons. They are the size of crow's. They are definitely wild. There's the local hawk/falcon, squirrels and a few other migrants I haven't Identifed. Sorry about your sparrow problem, get some input from some of the other 🐦 Bird experts. They don't get you in size, they get you in numbers. Good luck 👍👍👍

[@jerryjamt]

I wouldn't mind them so much if they weren't so darn messy. They're messy with the seed and their droppings are all over our porch and adirondacks. Thanks for the seed suggestion.

[@ellev11]

I love listening to the different birds, unfortunately the house sparrow is not one of them.. their chirping is nerve-wracking unlike the melodic soothing uplifting sounds of the others, which goes with their beautiful feathers. I almost only hear the pests and their boring coloring but when I hear the songs of others and get a rare glimpse, it's magical.

[@leslieortenzi8875]

I wish there were information on what types of bird feeders are best for deterring sparrows, while drawing in other birds. I understand that sparrows need to be standing and can't really hover or cling to a feeder when eating.

[@carsonsbackyardgarden7135]

House sparrows are fairly capable birds while at the feeder- the only feeders I see them struggling with are upside-down suet feeders. The rest, in my experience, are fair game for the house sparrows.

[@leslieortenzi8875]

@@carsonsbackyardgarden7135 I'm happy to report that supplying Nyjer and striped sunflower seeds, and using a fine mesh bag for the former, there are fewer sparrows and a lot more other birds returning! Coincidentally, I started using the Merlin song app today and I'm blown away by how many different kinds are in my yard! Also, I'll have to apologize to many beautiful singers whose songs I've been attributing to N. Mockingbirds! (Though I actually do have a lot of mockingbirds!) What fun!

[@Uh-qv9co]

I’ve seen a group of house sparrows in the neighborhood which is a good bit worrying since we get a lot of tree swallows and every year. Luckily my neighbor has swapped his seed out for suet and is attracting a ton of chickadees and woodpeckers.

[@gloriadumas1100]

I Love and welcome them❤❤

[@carndt2911]

We need to encourage diversity. Other native song birds may be forced out. The house sparrow will take over if no measures are taken

[@shirleywilhelm1495]

They are bullying the Cardinals at feeder. I'm not only going to change what I'm feeding but heard of using fishing line with weights on bottom to keep them away. Thank you for sharing this information.

[@franguerin606]

House sparrows are the worst! They kill baby purple martins and take over their nests as well as Bluebirds. I despise House Sparrows!

[@gloriadumas1100]

@@franguerin606 I'm watching everyday because I'm not gonna let them hurt my babies..Thank you so much

[@leslieortenzi8875]

I've been loving them for hours a day for the last 4 years -- then I noticed I had hundreds of sparrows and few to none of the other 10 bird types I'd been hosting previously. Hard to believe, but they can REALLY take over to the detriment of other birds. Very aggressive.