topic Bird Feeders in Community Chat

Bird Feeders

Patriot3 — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 16:11:42 GMT

Does anyone have a suggestion for bird feeders that will not allow blackbirds, starlings or whatever they are called, to be able to get to? I can't stand those things. They are so aggressive, noisy and sloppy.

I have tried a few different feeder designs with small perches, but they manage to get to them anyway. The only thing they can't get to is the finch feeder. I finally took down the feeder yesterday because I got tired of the blackbird screeches. But, of course, that takes away all the other birds, too.

I can't seem to attract cardinals because of those stupid blackbirds. There are cardinals around, but I see them very seldom at the feeder. There are a couple pair of doves that I like, lots of finches and some sparrows. Thanks, readers

Re: Bird Feeders

FancyPhillyshopper — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 16:24:54 GMT

I try not to regularly use a bird feeder in the warmer months because it could discourage birds from learning to eat in their natural habitat.

I usually use my feeders in the colder months, and cardinals are always around.

Cardinals will come late in the evening as well, right before dark.

I always watch out for predators like hawks, because I do not want my yard to become a hunting ground.

If you like birds, perhaps you can join your local National Audubon Society branch and learn more about effective practices!

Re: Bird Feeders

J Town Girl — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 16:53:13 GMT

I'm sorry that I'm not sure how to post a link but the feeder that I use came from Wild Birds Unlimited. It's called the Fundamentals Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder. You can see it on their website.

We don't have many large birds in our yard except the occasional crow. I do notice the flickers using the feeder on occasion.

Most of our birds are chickadees, sparrows and goldfinches. It works really well for the smaller birds. Even though we feed the squirrels from a separate feeder I've noticed them trying to get into it. When they put their weight on it the bins shut so they cannot get the seed.

We also have a smaller cylinder feeder for the little finches. We buy both regular no waste bird seed and finch food with niger seeds.

We love feeding the birds and squirrels. We are pretty much homebodies so sitting out in our yard and watching the wildlife is such a joy for us. We sound like a really exciting couple, don't we? Ha Ha!

I think this feeder might work for you. It certainly would discourage the larger birds because they most likely wouldn't be able to get their beaks into the feeder.

I hope you can find something that works for you. It sounds like you really enjoy feeding the birds too.

Re: Bird Feeders

fthunt — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 16:53:46 GMT

Here's the best I've found........go to DUNCRAFT website

Bring up feeders - first one on left shown Brome Squirrel Buster

Hang on a pole - perches are too short for black birds and low feeder holes hard for them to reach seeds by bending their bodies.

Adding seeds wasn't as easy as the next suggestion

Love this one - I have 2 of them

Same screen - 2nd row - 3rd over

Classic Hanging feeder

See the plastic dome? You have to put that weather protector together and being hard plastic it does take a little time and a little muscle to get that last screw/nut in....but it's bendable.....The plastic protector can be installed as LOW as you want it. Low head room allows Cardinals - finch - to fly right in .......... but too low for big birds.

Easy to fill - lift green cap cover - fill - replace.

NOTE: inside plastic hopper holds bulk of seeds up - so no big pile of seeds at any one time. Hopper will dispense fresh seeds down to floor as birds hit it - or wind blows. Seeds always out of rain and snow elements.

Small birds LOVE this feeder.

Those are my top suggestions..........no platform feeders - no feeders for big birds to land on.

Enjoy your birds!

Re: Bird Feeders

NickNack — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 16:58:59 GMT

@Patriot3 The Squirrel Buster Plus will keep them away. They are too heavy, and the openings will close and not let them eat when they land on the perches. It's expensive but well worth it. Amazon sells it as well as many other places.

Re: Bird Feeders

yasushi — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 17:07:07 GMT

We had the same problem but with Blue Jays and Turtle Doves. Pretty birds but obnoxious table manners! They bullied the smaller birds out of their way. And don't even get me started on the squirrels; we love them and feed them seperately but still, they want it ALL.

Problems solved with a caged bird feeder. They aren't pretty but are very effective. Mine are Duncraft Squirrel Proof Selective model. We've had the same one's for over 10 years now and they work great.

The Jays and Doves get their food on the ground from seed dropped by the smaller birds from the caged feeder. If you feed Woodpeckers, you'll need a seperate feeder for them because they can't fit through the caged feeder openings.

Re: Bird Feeders

fthunt — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 17:19:39 GMT

@NickNack You reminded me why I didn't buy a second of that tube feeder. The ring - perch where birds sit.......was a bugger to keep in place. Think I eventually glued it - to 'help' solve the problem. Also, young deer would help themselves - empty it because it hung so low on the S Hook. Just not a well thought out feeder.

Re: Bird Feeders

Lorik62 — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 19:38:07 GMT

@NickNack I purchased 3 of the Squirrel Buster Plus feeders and it has solved all my problems with larger birds and squirrels. Well worth the price for me!

Re: Bird Feeders

NickNack — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 20:06:35 GMT

@fthunt wrote:
@NickNack You reminded me why I didn't buy a second of that tube feeder. The ring - perch where birds sit.......was a bugger to keep in place. Think I eventually glued it - to 'help' solve the problem. Also, young deer would help themselves - empty it because it hung so low on the S Hook. Just not a well thought out feeder.

@fthunt I've never had to touch the ring perch, and I've had the feeder for at least five or six years. I'm sorry yours didn't work out.

Re: Bird Feeders

faeriemoon — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 20:10:04 GMT

We too have the kind that close when something/one too heavy lands on the perch.

Re: Bird Feeders

wingnut — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 20:45:33 GMT

I changed all my feeders to Safflower seed. No more squirrels, grackles or starlings. No more screeches in the morning. Now I hear the birds singing and it's lovely.

Re: Bird Feeders

goldensrbest — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 20:54:57 GMT

I had the same problem with black birds,just about a month ago,they seem to be gone ,but now the chipmunks get on the bird feeders and eat the sunflower seeds.

Re: Bird Feeders

NickNack — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 21:08:52 GMT

@wingnut wrote:
I changed all my feeders to Safflower seed. No more squirrels, grackles or starlings. No more screeches in the morning. Now I hear the birds singing and it's lovely.

@wingnut That's what I did with my hopper feeder. It solved the problem immediately. I got the Squirrel Buster Plus for the front of my house where my cat likes to sit in the window and watch the birds. I put sunflower seed in it. I gave up on sunflower seed in my hopper feeder many years ago.

Re: Bird Feeders

morganjen — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 21:46:59 GMT

In one of my Bird groups on Facebook, one of the members, Stan Schemahorn
makes and sells these bird feeders for blue birds. Starlings can't fit in them. They work great!

Re: Bird Feeders

luvmybeetle — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 23:51:32 GMT

@Patriot3 The blackbirds are called Grackles. I find that eventually all the birds get what they need. We have two different kinds of feeders hanging and then spread some of the seed on the ground. Depending on the seed, you will get all different kinds of birds. We also go to Wild Birds Unlimited to get our food. My cats love watching the birds from the kitchen window. When they fly on the bushes in front of the window the cats try to catch them. What a riot.

Re: Bird Feeders

goldensrbest — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 19:26:19 GMT

What do you use to clean the feeders out, what type of cleaner, will do it outside.