video link：https://youtu.be/w4OjcBS1kMo?si=3ZNxGOXMisSgORJT
Through continuous tracking and recording, I categorise the observed interactions into four patterns.
OVERLAP– Different species use the same area.
AVOID – One species actively avoids another.
INTERRUPT – One species changes route or leaves when another appears.
CONFLICT– Species compete for food.
OVERLAP
This shows squirrels and pigeons sharing food.
Due to the design of the feeder, pigeons cannot stand on it. Squirrels drop a lot of food scraps while they are eating. Pigeons can only make use of these leftover resources.
This is another feeder. Again, it shows a scene shared by squirrels and pigeons.
Parrots and pigeons are sharing food.
When in the cage, small birds feel very safe, so even if large birds are present, the small birds will not leave.
AVOID
The little bird originally intended to come for a drink, but seeing the pigeon there, it flew away again.
The parrot only started to eat from the feeding tray after the squirrel had left.
INTERRUPT
The pigeon interrupted the small bird.
The dog appeared and all the pigeons flew away.
The squirrel interrupted the birds while they were eating.
CONFLICT
Squirrels often compete with each other for food.
History
In the past, animals were treated as goods for trade. In this image, we can see that fences were mainly used to transport, sort and trade the animals. The movement of animals and the organisation of space mainly served human needs for business, transport and meat supply.
Now animals are participants that are both cared for and managed. Humans intervene in the lives of animals by providing food and building feeders, trying to help them gain resources. However, this kind of help also creates new conditions for access, resource distribution and behavioural restrictions.
There is also another slate marker at this site, which bears a quotation from Charles Darwin. I think this might be the reason why three feeding stations were set up here. That is, when the climate and food supply are scarce, they provide assistance to birds and other animals.