Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => DISEASE & PEST CONTROL => Topic started by: COLVIN on March 20, 2007, 12:51:24 pm

Title: MOCKING BIRD
Post by: COLVIN on March 20, 2007, 12:51:24 pm

I have notice a Mocking Bird hanging out around and on my hives a lot lately. Do they eat Bees like the King Bird is said to do? He will be on top of a hive ans some times just walking around on the ground around the hive. Do you think he may be a problem?

Colvin

Title: Re: MOCKING BIRD
Post by: pdmattox on March 20, 2007, 02:05:42 pm

My 2 cents worth is that it should not be a big problem, but who wants to loose bees. I have a mocking bird and a yellow somthing bird (finch?) at some of my hives and have not encountered a problem.

Title: Re: MOCKING BIRD
Post by: Mici on March 20, 2007, 02:26:43 pm

if he picks up a bee or two, i think it's not "so" stressfull for the hive. woodpeckers are a real pest! they stroke the hives during winter and that's the problem.

Title: Re: MOCKING BIRD
Post by: Robo on March 20, 2007, 02:36:09 pm

I have a phoebe that sits on the fence post by my hives all day.  I've never seen her take any bee out of the air or off the hive.   She does take ones off the ground, which are mostly dying or drones.  So unless you see it eating off the landing board or catching them in the air, I wouldn't sweat it.

Title: Re: MOCKING BIRD
Post by: Scadsobees on March 20, 2007, 03:59:50 pm

The worst part about mockingbirds is when they sit there on the fence with that silly smirk and say mean things like how ugly I am and what a poor job I'm doing with my bees, and then all start laughing at me.

 :roll:

Title: Re: MOCKING BIRD
Post by: Understudy on March 20, 2007, 05:59:51 pm

Quote from: Scadsobees on March 20, 2007, 03:59:50 pm

The worst part about mockingbirds is when they sit there on the fence with that silly smirk and say mean things like how ugly I am and what a poor job I'm doing with my bees, and then all start laughing at me.

 :roll:

 :lol:

The mockingbird called and said you dress funny also.  ;)

My problem is I have a pilliated woodpecker who has a nest near my hives. This is one massive woodpecker. I have three hives. So he isn't to bad. The starlings and the buffo toads are worse.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Title: Re: MOCKING BIRD
Post by: tillie on March 20, 2007, 06:13:22 pm

a little wren sits out on my deck and eats the dead bees that are carried out of the hive.  She has a feast every day and hangs out under the hives sometimes as well.  I've also seen a downy woodpecker actually get off of the tree to eat dead bees from my deck.

Linda T

Title: Re: MOCKING BIRD
Post by: Jerrymac on March 21, 2007, 12:52:11 am

How many bees will a bird eat? It is said that birds eat eight times their weight everyday. So weigh the bird and figure what the bees weigh. There you have it. Empty hives  :shock:

Title: Re: MOCKING BIRD
Post by: Kirk-o on April 14, 2007, 12:39:17 am

"The only guarntee of survival is Abundance"have alot of bees
kirko

Title: Re: MOCKING BIRD
Post by: qa33010 on April 14, 2007, 01:10:45 am

   I've seen robins, mockingbirds, blackbirds and a few swallows around and in front of mine.  The only danger I've seen, has been when my Chessy pup was out there last week during the afternoon orientation flights of all three hives and she tried to eat one.  Needless to say she still gets a kick out of being out there during orientation flights but appitizers are out of the question.  The cat learned long ago to just sleep on top of the hives.

   I have seen birds eat what is on the ground in front of the hives including freshly killed wasps hornets and bumblebees.

        David