SEED COLOR PREFERENCE OF SELECTED NORTHERN BIRD SPECIES

Species specific sunflower seed color preferences were examined for the Black Capped Chickadee (Parus atricapillus), Tufted Titmouse (Panes bicolor), House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus), Northern Cardinals (Cardinals cardinalis), and White Breasted Nuthatch (Shea carolinesis). Over a two-week period birds were offered four choices of colored sunflower seeds; natural or seeds dyed red, blue, and green. Two experiments were performed; one for short-term exposure to colored seeds and another for long term exposure to colored seeds. Natural sunflower seeds were favored by all species of birds during short-term exposure. However after long-term exposure some bird species were shown to have significant preferences for colored seeds.