Niches of Birds at a Feeding Station

Research Question: Do birds at a feeder exhibit different feeding niches?

A bird feeder was place outside and observed. No birds were observed feeding at this location, so other various apparatuses were set up in different locations on campus. No birds were observed feeding at these other 4 locations either, except for 2 ducks feeding from spilled seeds on the ground under one feeder. Birds were observed flying around the feeder, and feeding from external sources near the feeder, however, no birds were observed directly feeding at the feeder.

Grackles, mockingbirds, blue jays, and woodpeckers were seen flying in abundance near all areas of the feeder.

Possible reasons birds would not feed at the feeder are because of the large lovebug bloom right in that week of observation. It is also a good season this year for feeding, as there is an abundance in plants and insects. Grackles were seen feeding in the air, blue jays on the ground, and woodpeckers and mocking birds feeding in the trees.