Calling All Bird Watchers

[nannybooby]

the sparrows have been pecking the mortar between the flints on our front wall ,they have made several inch and a half to two inch indentations in several places , what are they after ?

insects - can't see any , grit or salt ? Be nice to know before the front of house falls off.

Any ideas ? Any one else seen this before ?

[Canary42]

They're coming for you - BWOOOOOOOAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH

[nannybooby]

nah don't think so ,the OH feeds them too many mealworms for that !

[dannyk13]

Trimming their beaks?

[Baldric]

Not enough ^^^ obviously!

[Jomlett]

Believe it or not...Seed eating birds, such as sparrows and finches, will eat mortar for the grit it contains. Birds have no teeth for crushing food items, so they utilise small, hard pieces of stone, or sand as abrasive digestive helpers. Birds swallow small bits of grit to act like teeth in the gizzard, a specialized stomach constructed of thick, muscular walls used for grinding up food. The grit helps to break down hard foods, such as seeds and the hard exoskeletons of some insects.

[Jomlett]

To stop them pecking at your house you could try leaving a pile of coarse sand, either on the ground or on a platform feeder, near the problem area. This way they will have an easier option to choose from rather than having to attack your home.

[nannybooby]

thanks Jomlett , so now we know x

[Jomlett]

You're welcome.

[Mosaic]

We used to buy special grit to give to our budgies. Forgot all about it until I read Jomlett's answer!