Feeding and Habitat: A Feeding and Habitat: A Bird’s TaleBird’s Tale

Presented by:Presented by: Sara PhillipsSara PhillipsTim BankroffTim Bankroff

Elliot RossbachElliot Rossbach

HypothesesHypotheses

• Bird feeders located in more wooded Bird feeders located in more wooded environments will attract a more diverse group of environments will attract a more diverse group of bird species because the woods have a larger bird species because the woods have a larger carrying capacity and offer more nesting sites. carrying capacity and offer more nesting sites.

• The birds that nest during the winter months will The birds that nest during the winter months will learn to use the feeders throughout our research learn to use the feeders throughout our research and will therefore be consuming the most and will therefore be consuming the most birdseed. birdseed.

• During the winter months, species diversity will During the winter months, species diversity will increase due to the migratory tendencies of the increase due to the migratory tendencies of the species not native to this region. species not native to this region.

• Greater amounts of seed will be eaten each week Greater amounts of seed will be eaten each week as the colder weather approaches. as the colder weather approaches.

PurposePurpose

• We hoped to familiarize ourselves with the bird We hoped to familiarize ourselves with the bird populations present in Oxford, Ohio and their populations present in Oxford, Ohio and their feeding habits. feeding habits.

• We hoped to prove our hypotheses stating that a We hoped to prove our hypotheses stating that a heavily wooded environment will house more heavily wooded environment will house more species of birds and that human interaction actually species of birds and that human interaction actually does have an impact on their presence. does have an impact on their presence.

• If humans do, in fact, interfere with bird survival, we If humans do, in fact, interfere with bird survival, we can then determine what we as humans can do to can then determine what we as humans can do to provide for healthy interactions with avian species.provide for healthy interactions with avian species.

The Grand Scheme of The Grand Scheme of ThingsThings

So how does our project fit into the Big Picture? As cold weather approaches, we hope to find that patterns of migration that hold true to North America and the Midwest apply to our little experiment in Oxford, Ohio. Migrants affect the ecosystems that they visit on the way to their final destinations. Will migrant birds visit our feeders? Consequently, will competition for sustenance occur on a larger scale?

Deforestation takes a devastating toll on woodland species, especially those that use trees and brush as nesting grounds and places to feed. Although these species can adapt to sparse cover, we hope to prove that such an endangered environment should be valued more than it is currently appreciated.

MaterialsMaterials

• 12 1-gallon jugs12 1-gallon jugs

• 1 bag each of Millet, Black-oiled 1 bag each of Millet, Black-oiled sunflower seed, Thistle, and sunflower seed, Thistle, and Commercial MixCommercial Mix

• StringString

• 12 plastic plates12 plastic plates

Feed

Millet- a mixture of small seeds known to attract songbirds such as cardinals and goldfinches.

Black-oil sunflower seeds- attract most birds known to winter in the region; birds with smaller beaks are still able to crack the thin shells.

Thistle- small seeds known to attract sparrows, finches and grosbeaks.

Commercial Mix- a mix of black-oil sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn kernels

* This picture not to scale!

Research TimelineResearch Timeline• Week 1- 10/27 to 11/1: We will construct 12 birdfeeders out of empty plastic gallon water

jugs. We will also purchase the previously mentioned varieties of birdseed at Wal-Mart so we can begin our observations. Feeders will be placed in the feeding locations on Thursday, October 30.

• Week 2- 11/3 to 11/9: Observations begin on Monday, November 3. Using our data sheets we will log what we see. At the conclusion of each week, we will weigh the remaining seed in each feeder, enter the figures into our data sheet, and mark the level with a marker.

• Week 3- 11/10 to 11/16: We will present our research project on Tuesday, the 11th. Observations will continue; however, class efforts will be expected during this week, beginning Monday. Each group will be placed in a lottery to determine their day of participation. A group will be expected to visit each location at a time compliant with their personal schedules. Three volunteers from the class will be expected to make a morning observation, with or without the company of Sarah, Elliot, or Tim.

• Week 4- 11/17 to 11/23: Refer to instructions for Week 2.

• Week 5- 11/24 to 11/30: Refer to instructions for Week 2. Due to the unfortunate circumstance of the Thanksgiving holiday, two of our days will be lost, thus leaving us with two days, Monday and Tuesday; but we will substitute Sunday, December 1 for missed days.

• Week 6- 12/1 to 12/7: Observations end this week.

• Week 7- 12/8 to 12/14: Analysis begins and final presentation is given. Work begins on final webpage design.

Feeders 1, 2, 3, 4, in Western Woods

Feeders 5,6,7,8 in transition zone near Western

Feeders 9,10,11,12 in highly trafficked zone— Peabody Hall

Map of Location of Bird Feeders

Former site of Urban Feeders- Shriver Center

Birds We Expected to See

- Goldfinches

- Purple finches

- House Sparrows

- Cardinals

- Evening Grosbeaks

- Hairy Woodpeckers

- Downy Woodpeckers

- Black-capped Chickadees

- Carolina Chickadees- Mourning Doves

Results

Birds We Actually Saw

Carolina Chickadees

White-Breasted Nuthatches

Northern Cardinals

Gold Finches

House Sparrows

Blue Jays

Dark-Eyed Juncos

Tufted Titmice

Location Seed Type Total Number of Birds Total Number of SpeciesTransition Sunflower 20 4Transition Millet 18 5Transition Commercial Mix 1 1Transition Thistle 4 2

Woods Sunflower 46 4Woods Millet 0 0Woods Commercial Mix 0 0Woods Thistle 2 1

Urban Sunflower 35 3Urban Millet 0 0Urban Commercial Mix 0 0Urban Thistle 0 0

Data

Conclusion

There was not a significant difference in the number of birds that visited our feeders from one location to another. Failed to reject the null hypothesis.There was also not a significant difference in the number of species that visited our feeders in each location. Failed to reject the null hypothesis.There was a significant difference in the seed preference among the number of birds that visited our feeders. Rejected the null hypothesis. There was a significant difference in the seed preference among the number of species that visited our feeders. Rejected the null hypothesis.

Sources of Error

Number of observations taken

Time of day during which the observations were taken

The disappearance of the Urban feeders

Birds returning for “seconds”

Questions To Ponder

-Do birds prefer one time of day to another when feeding?-- Could this also be relevant to the changes in temperature?

--Does wind speed affect feeding habits?

-- Are blustery days hazardous to the depletion of necessary fat stores?

- Does the presence of a replenishable food source affect the migration of a native species?

Further Investigation?

-Take more observations

- Observe throughout the winter and spring in order to compare seasonal bird activity

- Use statistical analysis to compare bird activity at different times of day