DEAR JOAN: I have a small bird feeder with room for only one bird at a time, but it’s very busy. Next to it is a large bush where birds collect and wait their turn to use the feeder.

They never try to get in the feeder two at a time or fight over getting in the feeder. Everybody is polite and patiently wait their turn.

Am I imagining this, or do they somehow know when it is their turn and patiently wait until then? I’ve never had any blackbirds or crows, but all different types otherwise.

Ron March, San Ramon

DEAR RON: It would seem your one-bird feeder attracts only the most polite of birds, but all might not be as it appears.

There are a lot of behind-the-scenes power plays and intrigue in the bird world than we might suspect. Although you don’t see them fighting or scrambling for a spot at the dinner table, there likely is a well-established pecking order at play. Males and more dominant birds get to go first, followed by the less powerful.

It would seem these birds are well aware of the order and are willing to abide. As you have a steady line of customers, you might want to add a few more tables to your restaurant.

DEAR JOAN: My husband and I moved to the Pacific Northwest nine months ago from San Jose. I know in San Jose, we had some finches come in the spring  because we had a fountain, which they truly enjoyed, until the drought.

We now live in a house that has sliding glass doors that open onto a deck in the backyard. We have discovered the pure delight in watching the finches’ (and I think other small birds’) antics and have both a real bird feeder and a medium size cookie sheet I put their food on.

We go to the farm store and get the Audubon seeds. I’ve tried several different ones, but the one they seem to prefer is the “songbird” one, not that I’ve ever heard a song.

Now that it’s winter, and their natural food supply is not plentiful, they eat what I put out very quickly. Then I feel sorry for them and put more out. Recently, I’ve put more out three times because it seems that more birds are coming.

My question is, am I feeding them too much and if so, how much should I feed them? I generally give them the amount that completely covers the cookie sheet from end to end.

Barbara Largent, Burlington, Washington

DEAR BARBARA: There are exceptions, of course, but birds tend to eat what they need to survive and only that, so instead of feeding a few birds a lot, you’re likely feeding a lot of birds.

If you can afford it, there’s no issue with putting out a lot of food, but it probably isn’t necessary. Birds have a lot of options, even in the winter. You should cut back in the spring and summer, when natural food is in abundance. Mama and Papa birds need to teach their children where to find food in the wild, and backyard feeders can be a distraction.

You also want to put out the most nutritious seed you can afford. Some manufacturers use a lot of filler, which is fine for the birds to eat, but they naturally look for the tastier seed, and in doing so, kick out the least tasty bits, a habit that can quickly empty feeders.

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