Your images are very good. I didn't understand your comment about the "lens letting you get closer" vs what you used in 1 or 2. Could you elaborate. In any event, #3 is tack sharp.
Focus should be on the eyes as others have suggested. Since these are feeder birds, they won't usually perch long but will return. Instead of trying to focusing on the tiny eye, it may be possible to pre-focus on the most likely spot as with many sports photos.
The feather blur is, IMHO, acceptable. Want to stop the motion further, you could try using a flash but that's a whole different story and chapter.
You have a fine eye and apparently listened and acted good advice here. Looking forward to more images. Ray
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