Robins Feeding on Aliens
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Jan 15, 2009 | by Adrian Binns
This morning I went looking for a flock of White-winged Crossbills that was reported yesterday along the Crum Creek in Delaware County. I did not manage to find them, but did come across a large group of American Robins feeding on Multi-flora Rose hips. This is a species that was introduced to this country from eastern Asia in the mid 19th century and touted as the perfect wildlife attracting plant for its fruit and cover. While it is rampant along this riparian area it certainly is a favorite of many of our birds. Of note is that the germination success of this alien species it greater through bird droppings. 
I also found it interesting that there was one robin that had picked off a rose hip with the stem still attached. In order to eat just the fruit, it spent some time with the stem in its bill pounding the hip against the ground until it broke off. all photos © adrian binns
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Hi Adrian,
Whoever coined the phrase "bird brain" didn't really have a clue, did they? Lovely photos, especially the close up…
Best of luck for 2009,
Tanya
(fellow nature-lover, Kenya fan & old Bryanstonian!)
Thanks Tanya,
The close up was cropped to show the stem and fruit!
I agree, very lovely photos indeed. I only wish my camera could take these kinds of pics. Heh, yeah, it's the camera's fault. LOL