Jillian

Do birds prefer brighter or duller colored bird feeders?
**Background Info** I wanted to see what color of bird feeder birds would be more attracted to. I decided that instead of choosing two blatantly different colors, I would use similar colors, but one would be much brighter than the other. **Hypothesis** I think that the birds will prefer the brighter colored bird feeder because it will attract their attention more, but I think that both feeders will be eaten out of. **Materials:** 2 plastic bottles(for homemade bird feeders),spray paint (lime green and dark green), wooden spoons (for bird feeders), bird seed (any type) picture reference, a tree to put the bird feeders up, a measuring cup, paper towels, and coat hangers (to hand bird feeders)

**Methods:** Spray paint plastic bottles two different colors (one dull and one bright) and then cut holes in side (for wooden spoons) Put wooden spoons into the bottles Fill both feeders up with two cups of bird seed (plug up the holes with paper towel so no seed comes out)  Put both bird feeders up at same height in a similar place (near each other), every couple days pour remaining seed into a measuring cup and see how much is left. **Results and Data** (none eaten) || 1 1/3 cups remaining (2/3 cup eaten) || 1 1/4 cups remaining (3/4 cups eaten) || 1 1/3 cups remaining (2/3 cup eaten) || (none eaten) || 1 3/4 cups remaining (1/4 cup eaten) || 1 1/3 cups remaining (2/3 cups eaten) || 2 cups remaining (none eaten) || First day checked (4th day of bird feeders being up): Since there was no bird seed eaten from either of the bird feeders, I moved the feeders to a different place in my yard, to see if the birds would like a different setting better. Second day checked (10th day of bird feeders being up): The birdsto like the new tree a lot better than the other tree, but still, not a lot was eaten. Third day checked (15th day of bird feeders being up): Not too much more bird seed was eaten, but the birds seem to like a place away from the road better than near it. Fourth day checked (21st day of bird feeders being up): The birds have lost interest in the bird feeders. Overall observations: In the morning there are a lot of birds on the ground, but they don't go to the feeders. Variables Independent: Color of bird feeder Dependent: Amount of seed eaten Control: Amount of seed in feeder, locations **Conclusion** Overall, the birds liked the brighter colored bird feeder better, but I don't think enough bird seed was eaten to fully prove my hypothesis to be true. There were birds on the ground in my yard in the mornings, but the amount of bird seed eaten didn't make it seem like the birds ate a lot of it. **Bibliography** Berger, Cynthia. "True Colors: How Birds See the World." National Wildlife Federation, 19 July 2012. Web. .
 * || Day 4 || Day 10 || Day 15 || Day 21 ||
 * Bright || 2 cups remaining
 * Dull || 2 cups remaining
 * Total || none eaten || 11/12 cup eaten || 1 5/12 cups eaten || 2/3 cup eaten ||