Preferences for feeder location and occurence of competition for two species of birds, Chipping Sparrows and American Goldfinches.

Abstract

Competition for a food source and the predation risk in an area are both factors that affect an animal's foraging behavior. The purpose of this study is to examine preferences for feeding locations for birds in general, and to investigate whether there are differences between species. I also hope to determine whether competition is more likely to occur between members of the same or different species. Two feeders were set up at the UMBS in Pellston, MI: one was located on the edge of the woods and the other was located in a field. Through observation, I recorded which feeder individual birds visited, the species of the bird, the length of time that each bird spent at the feeder, and any interactions that occurred. An analysis of variance showed that for all birds who visited the feeders, there was no preference for feeder location. Chi-square analysis showed that there was no significant difference in feeder preference between species of birds, and that competition is just as likely to occur between members of the same species as between members of different species. I concluded that, although general trends were seen in regards to feeder preference and competition, a larger sample size is needed to get more conclusive results.