We have a splendid blackbird Jack christened by Taylor no 1 grandaughter.
we saw a screaming match with several crows which we think was the loss of Mrs Jack :(
Jack has been coming for raisins and wholemeal crumbs.
what else can we feed naturally ? He's a lovely bird and feeds very close which is such a privilege to witness
Pick him up some live mealworms at your local pet shop and he will love yo forewver XX Jeannine
Friend of mine..local 'bird man' who rears lot of orphan wild birds feed 'his' birds with soaked up dog biscuits. Complete type has protein ration just right for the birds and they will greedily take as much you can soak for them.. ;D
When I visit him is always such a fun to see how much chaos he creates when the feeding bowls are out..the whole neighbourhood blackbirds and starlings must come out to visit his garden and the scene is like from Birds film.
All he does is put some boiling/hot water over the bisquits and let them soak until they have 'puffed up' soft and cooled down.
He does use mealworms too...but those are kept for the smaller birds and birds like robin often come to feed from his hand...he has real birds haven in his place.. ;D
i put out half a chopped apple. they seem to like it.
usually if i get one thts been left in the bowl a while.
I bought some apples which I didn't like so I have been cutting them in quarters and putting them out for the Blackbirds. They certainly enjoy them. As my dog is fed with 'complete' biscuit I think I will try that method.
Thanks for the comments,I do chop up apples and pears but have never considered the dog food.
I was down the Lotty getting strawberry's and some where holed by the resident snails (when I get them they are so dead!) rather than throw the half chewed ones away I brought them home for the bird table for a wee treat, the blackbirds love them .
I do like the blackbirds and feed them constantly from a dish on the back door step. sometimes they come into my porch to help themselves to the sultanas. Its not just one blackbird it is several and the young are there too but they are a bit more timid and skulk under the hostas until I go inside then they are into the sultanas as well. Some cheeky ones sit on my window sill and look into the kitchen. That is interesting about the soaked dog biscuits, I must try that. I don't have a dog but prepared to buy some to try.
:D
When we were recently up at our caravan we heard a blackbird whistling a musical tune, it did it several times during the evening and also the following day. I asked a Neighbour if he had been teaching a blackbird a tune and he whistled the same tune. I did not think blackbirds could mimic it was incredible. He said he often fed it and it is very tame.
If you want them for life, a Mahonia bush with its berries at this time of year. We've had them nesting in there too.
Ninny
Next weeks shopping list
Complete dog biscuit
I have been soaking extra complete dog food this week (I always soak some for Elsa as she only has 3 teeth left) and the black birds have certainly enjoyed it.