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Ornithologists use the term double scratch to describe a peculiar method ground-feeding birds use to uncover food. It involves a short jump forward with both feet, followed by a bigger jump backward in which the feet rake over the ground.
If you have White-throated Sparrows at your feeder it is simple to observe this little dance step; they use the double scratch constantly to uncover food that may be hidden under dead leaves.
I enjoy watching whitethroats do the double scratch dance in the dry leaves and scold them (from inside and with no effect) when they do it on the feeder where there is no need for it. The platform feeder is nailed to the banister of the steps leading up to our back door. I keep a good supply of mixed seed spread there so there is no need for birds to scratch to get it.
My source for this subject, The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds, states that Juncos and Song Sparrows also engage in the double scratching method of uncovering food. I have rarely observed the Junco doing it. Lee Trott, with whom I discussed this important matter, says she sees Juncos doing it quite often. Neither of us remembers a Song Sparrow jumping and scratching.
It is likely that the many White-throated Sparrows at and around our feeder (we sometimes have as many as eight at one time) uncover enough hidden seed to satisfy these other finches. Certainly the Carolina Wren takes advantage of a white-throat’s efforts. I would be interested in hearing from readers whether or not they have seen the little snowbird, the Junco, doing the.fancy two-jump step.
Bird seed providers lucky
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