[Tweeters] Why don't we see birds on blackberries?

[LMarkoff via Tweeters]

Blackberry patches can provide nesting opportunities for birds too.  I've
seen Tricolored Blackbirds nesting in them in Klamath, Oregon.  

See photos here:  https://www.flickr.com/gp/canyoneagle/8kSZ2N/


Lori Markoff

-----Original Message-----
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces at mailman11.u.washington.edu> On Behalf Of
Stan Bezimienny via Tweeters
Sent: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 7:14 PM
To: jimbetz at jimbetz.com
Cc: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Why don't we see birds on blackberries?

Jim, 

I am rather positive birds feed on blackberries - and contribute to their
spread, I see colonies of seedlings of trinity of invasives: Himalayan
blackberry, English ivy, English holly in my garden in the areas where birds
(I suspect robins) frequent. Our light color deck is often splattered with
purple from bird poop, of course to prove my point I would have to run a
formal experiment and germinate the seeds from it, but it coincides with
blackberry fruiting. 

As I photograph in local parks, I notice blackberry thickets with lots if
birds, eg in Magnuson there are always house finches in abundance, also
golden-crown and fox sparrows, towhees etc. in blackberry thickets. In fact
it is often difficult to find birds perching on anything else (within camera
reach) than a blackberry stem, so they must accept life with the thorns. I
have lots of pictures of this sort, too many for my taste. I think the
thorny thickets offer birds protection, rather than deterring them. 

Best,

Stan
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