Great video, Mark! I have the squirrel buster tube feeder with the cardinal ring. I bought it for this specific purpose. Last winter, the starlings became so angry when the holes closed up that they just sat there holding the holes closed. If they weren't getting any, then nobody else was either.
This is my first year of doing bird feeding, and I think I saw one starling until the cold weather hit then I have a ton of them with a ton of mourning doves competing for food. I have the squirrel buster suet feeder, and one starling can eat comfortably, two can get at a sliver of it, but when 3 or 5 are on it it closes up tight.
I put seed in a bucket the Chickadees love it they jump down in the bucket pick up a seed jump out and fly away. Pigeons, black birds hate it because they can not fit.
Cold temperatures started here in N. Central Texas, and sounds like wintery weather headed this way. I do not typically see too many starlings, but harsh weather brings tons of red wing blackbirds and cowbirds.
I’m in southeastern Indiana & for years my pileated buddies have been getting their food upside down. Even my Northern Flickers ground feeders have learned to do it also. I have many pics of all them. This year I have 5 different species of woodies that visit. One year I had six. Thanks for your video.
Dealing with European Starlings here too and I'm torn because I finally saw my first Pileated in my yard since I moved here in 2019. I want her to come back to eat my suet so I may have to put up with the pesky Starlings.
Thanks, Mark. I put suet out today. I'm guessing it'll be gone in a day or two because of the starlings. Was going to order a bottom feeder but wondered about them locating it.
The discussed upside down protected cage with another hanging cage to “teach” the other birds where the suet cake is located is interesting to me. I’m not a bird watcher, nor do I have any feeders currently. So please be nice in response, trying to learn here. We have a farm up in NC, and when we move in a few months, my wife would like to feed the wild birds. Could one continue to use the two cage setup, the lower suet cage with a lower quality suet cake, and the upper cage with a higher quality cake? If the lower cake had what the starlings desires, or would they just continue to use the easier to access cake? Or would they option for the more difficult to access one? Or would it be more useful to have the “lower” cage actually separated by a short distance to allow other species the opportunity to access the higher quality cake that is covered? In other words, provide for both, just that the easy to access cakes would be cheaper to resupply to account for the starling dismantling the cakes quickly.
Will these methods work for Northern Mockingbirds? I have been hopper and tube feeding for many years. 2 years ago I added a suet cage that hangs on the side of my hopper. Last week I had a mockingbird start eating the suet. After a week he now has claimed territorial right to my entire feeding station, and chases all other birds away. 3 days of removal of the suet seemed to work, but I put it out this morning, and he was right back chasing away birds. I'm so disappointed because I finally had a downy woodpecker as a regular, and my first Wren and titmouse of the season. Now they haven't returned. I have a limited area where I can feed, so it's a bit limiting. Perhaps hanging the cage under the hopper, or fashioning a roof over the cage? Thx.
Mockingbirds can be challenging. Here is an old video (I am currently doing another version) about them that may help: th-cam.com/video/_fvgGusUJrE/w-d-xo.html
@MarksBackyardBirds Thank you! I'm in NJ, and there's usually one or two Mockingbirds year round in or around my yard. I love having them around. I look forward to your next video. I'm trying to avoid having any feeder in my backyard because of my dog. So trying to figure a way to include the suet in my small feeding area that the mockingbird can't get to. He was never interested in my hopper of sunflower chips or nyger seed tube.
I’ve had good luck throwing meal worm and a piece of suet cake on the ground away from the feeders and the starlings seem to prefer the ground feeding and they love the meal worms. Helps keep them away from my feeders
I frequently watch a local bird feeder live cam here in Maine, and starlings have really started to dominate. It's a huge tray feeder; the other birds have room to feed at the same time. However, there are times when the starlings will totally take over. I started to wonder, are starlings an invasive species?? And apparently yes. There's something extraterrestrial about their personality. The way they move around feeding areas so fast for their size, and are an assertive hive mind. I definitely like starlings, but don't want their population to get any bigger. Anyways, fantastic video that was fascinating all the way through.
As always, great video. Not sure if you have done a more in depth video on the harms of invasive species such as house sparrows and starlings? I feel as though many folks aren’t aware they are invasive and cause so much harm to our native songbirds and that it would be great if you could raise awareness of this issue. I feel as though many roll out the welcome mat for them without even realizing the ramifications of doing so or even upstanding they aren’t native birds
I understand that people only want the colorful, beautiful birds to eat the seed they put in their feeders. But, they should give Starlings another easy feeder to attract them away from a harder to get food feeder their favored birds can access easier.
Susan, people do not dislike Starlings because of how they look. Take a few minutes to do some research and learn about how many native birds they kill.
Mark! Thank you so much for posting your thoughts. Can you recommend a Starling-cage feeder that would allow for my bluebirds to eat? I have my suet in an upside-down feeder. I have two Squirrel Buster Plus....One with a sunflower/safflower/millet bend, the other with mealworms which my bluebirds enjoy. I've adjusted the weight control on my squirrel buster, but the starlings have learned that if they jump on the cardinal ring, they can gain access to the food!! I appreciate their problem solving, but they can drain an entire tube in a day!! Is there a cage feeder that will allow the bluebirds to eat in peace?? I've trained them to use the column feeder vs platform feeder used for most bluebirds, so I appreciate your thoughts on options!
There are bluebird feeders that are enclosed with 1& 1/2 inch holes that the bluebirds and smaller birds can enter to get the mealworms but starlings, robins and other big birds can not. We carry a few but only have one in stock at the moment. Here is a link: tinyurl.com/e6zpe9vc
A couple days the starlings came in numbers of 15 or so attacking all my feeders. But after a few days it changed and now I get only 3 or 4 at a time and are not bothering all my other birds coming.
The European Starlings are one species of birds that are most beautiful among many other Starling birds, and besides, they can be trained, and they also mimic other bird sounds as well as human sounds. They are such fascinating birds.👍👍👍👍👍
Starlings and house sparrows are invasive. They need to go. Can you add a bird seed type that starlings won’t eat? I currently use a mix that mostly keeps sparrows away.
Starlings are the hillbillies of the birds world . one shows up and then the whole clan comes brothers sisters cousins distant cousins etc. They're rude hog the feeders and don't know when they have worn out their welcome
I think we all feed for the birds, but Starlings are different in that they come in droves and eat everything. The house sparrow and starling are both invasive, non-native species and highly destructive to local birds.
@@DawnRK3204 As do Blue jays, catbirds, mocking birds, redwing blackbirds, chickadees, hawks owls etc... I follow Cornell Labs and there are pros and cons. To each his own....make you own decisions. As long as its not just based on Groupthink
Thank you. This was very timely
.starlings came this week and this explains why
It is that time of year!
Great video, Mark! I have the squirrel buster tube feeder with the cardinal ring. I bought it for this specific purpose. Last winter, the starlings became so angry when the holes closed up that they just sat there holding the holes closed. If they weren't getting any, then nobody else was either.
😂
The starlings get smarter and the battle gets more challenging.
This is my first year of doing bird feeding, and I think I saw one starling until the cold weather hit then I have a ton of them with a ton of mourning doves competing for food. I have the squirrel buster suet feeder, and one starling can eat comfortably, two can get at a sliver of it, but when 3 or 5 are on it it closes up tight.
@ that’s a plus!
Awesome share, it has been cold, yes my feeders have gone crazy here in coastal Virginia - you are so correct
Thanks for watching and for taking care of your birds.
I put seed in a bucket the Chickadees love it they jump down in the bucket pick up a seed jump out and fly away. Pigeons, black birds hate it because they can not fit.
That is awesome!
Cold temperatures started here in N. Central Texas, and sounds like wintery weather headed this way. I do not typically see too many starlings, but harsh weather brings tons of red wing blackbirds and cowbirds.
Yes I’m in Fort Worth and I have a flock of about 30 red wing black birds that have been camping out on me. Accompanied by a few Starlings.
You get a lot of our red-wings and cowbirds during the winter.
@MarksBackyardBirds so nice of you to share 😂
I’m in southeastern Indiana & for years my pileated buddies have been getting their food upside down. Even my Northern Flickers ground feeders have learned to do it also. I have many pics of all them. This year I have 5 different species of woodies that visit. One year I had six. Thanks for your video.
That is awesome. I am truly jealous. Thanks for watching!
Thank you! Good ideas!
Glad they were helpful!
Dealing with European Starlings here too and I'm torn because I finally saw my first Pileated in my yard since I moved here in 2019. I want her to come back to eat my suet so I may have to put up with the pesky Starlings.
My nuckles get soar from rapping on the window to run them off.
@@MarksBackyardBirds 😂
Thanks, Mark! The starlings just started invading my yard. This is a very timely video for me!
Thanks Jim, I'm glad it was helpful! They are bad right now.
Thanks, Mark. I put suet out today. I'm guessing it'll be gone in a day or two because of the starlings. Was going to order a bottom feeder but wondered about them locating it.
I hope this helped.
Great video once again ❤😊
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Andrew
The discussed upside down protected cage with another hanging cage to “teach” the other birds where the suet cake is located is interesting to me. I’m not a bird watcher, nor do I have any feeders currently. So please be nice in response, trying to learn here. We have a farm up in NC, and when we move in a few months, my wife would like to feed the wild birds. Could one continue to use the two cage setup, the lower suet cage with a lower quality suet cake, and the upper cage with a higher quality cake? If the lower cake had what the starlings desires, or would they just continue to use the easier to access cake? Or would they option for the more difficult to access one? Or would it be more useful to have the “lower” cage actually separated by a short distance to allow other species the opportunity to access the higher quality cake that is covered?
In other words, provide for both, just that the easy to access cakes would be cheaper to resupply to account for the starling dismantling the cakes quickly.
That is an interesting idea. The hanging cage may keep larger woodpeckers from accessing the upside down feeders. Other than that, it may work.
Can the Carolina wren hang upside down on the suet feeder and can the pileated fit on the single cake upside down feeder
The wrens can hang upside down for sure. As for the Pileated, I'm sure that they could manage it but it may take some time.
Will these methods work for Northern Mockingbirds? I have been hopper and tube feeding for many years. 2 years ago I added a suet cage that hangs on the side of my hopper. Last week I had a mockingbird start eating the suet. After a week he now has claimed territorial right to my entire feeding station, and chases all other birds away. 3 days of removal of the suet seemed to work, but I put it out this morning, and he was right back chasing away birds. I'm so disappointed because I finally had a downy woodpecker as a regular, and my first Wren and titmouse of the season. Now they haven't returned. I have a limited area where I can feed, so it's a bit limiting. Perhaps hanging the cage under the hopper, or fashioning a roof over the cage? Thx.
Mockingbirds can be challenging. Here is an old video (I am currently doing another version) about them that may help: th-cam.com/video/_fvgGusUJrE/w-d-xo.html
@MarksBackyardBirds Thank you! I'm in NJ, and there's usually one or two Mockingbirds year round in or around my yard. I love having them around. I look forward to your next video. I'm trying to avoid having any feeder in my backyard because of my dog. So trying to figure a way to include the suet in my small feeding area that the mockingbird can't get to. He was never interested in my hopper of sunflower chips or nyger seed tube.
I’ve had good luck throwing meal worm and a piece of suet cake on the ground away from the feeders and the starlings seem to prefer the ground feeding and they love the meal worms. Helps keep them away from my feeders
Since the storm started, they clean out my mealworms before the bluebirds can get to them.
they are at our feeders all day until the food is gone! Knoxville, TN. When they come they bring along so many birds people call Cow birds.
A lot of the blackbirds flock together. Commong Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbirds, and Red-winged Blackbirds will form flocks with starlings in winter.
I frequently watch a local bird feeder live cam here in Maine, and starlings have really started to dominate. It's a huge tray feeder; the other birds have room to feed at the same time. However, there are times when the starlings will totally take over. I started to wonder, are starlings an invasive species?? And apparently yes. There's something extraterrestrial about their personality. The way they move around feeding areas so fast for their size, and are an assertive hive mind. I definitely like starlings, but don't want their population to get any bigger.
Anyways, fantastic video that was fascinating all the way through.
@@healthyminds9279 Thank you for the kind words. So glad you liked it.
I have a Pileated Woodpecker visiting my suet feeder daily. Will Pileated Woodpeckers try the upside down suet feeder?
@@mckenziesmall6275 I’ve never seen them on one but I feel they should be able to figure it out.
@@MarksBackyardBirds One more question, will Pileated Woodpeckers eat pure suet?
@ Yes.
As always, great video. Not sure if you have done a more in depth video on the harms of invasive species such as house sparrows and starlings? I feel as though many folks aren’t aware they are invasive and cause so much harm to our native songbirds and that it would be great if you could raise awareness of this issue. I feel as though many roll out the welcome mat for them without even realizing the ramifications of doing so or even upstanding they aren’t native birds
Over the years, this has been a consistent message of mine. It amazes me how many people do not care. Sad
@@MarksBackyardBirds yes you do mention it regularly which is awesome! Would you be willing to dedicate an entire video on the topic ?
@@workingbulldogs I will get one planned out. Thanks for the suggestion.
@@MarksBackyardBirds great! Looking forward to it, thank you!
Starlings used to be a pest in the UK
🙂✌
I understand that people only want the colorful, beautiful birds to eat the seed they put in their feeders. But, they should give Starlings another easy feeder to attract them away from a harder to get food feeder their favored birds can access easier.
I know many do that for sure.
Susan, people do not dislike Starlings because of how they look. Take a few minutes to do some research and learn about how many native birds they kill.
Mark! Thank you so much for posting your thoughts. Can you recommend a Starling-cage feeder that would allow for my bluebirds to eat? I have my suet in an upside-down feeder. I have two Squirrel Buster Plus....One with a sunflower/safflower/millet bend, the other with mealworms which my bluebirds enjoy. I've adjusted the weight control on my squirrel buster, but the starlings have learned that if they jump on the cardinal ring, they can gain access to the food!! I appreciate their problem solving, but they can drain an entire tube in a day!! Is there a cage feeder that will allow the bluebirds to eat in peace?? I've trained them to use the column feeder vs platform feeder used for most bluebirds, so I appreciate your thoughts on options!
There are bluebird feeders that are enclosed with 1& 1/2 inch holes that the bluebirds and smaller birds can enter to get the mealworms but starlings, robins and other big birds can not. We carry a few but only have one in stock at the moment. Here is a link: tinyurl.com/e6zpe9vc
A couple days the starlings came in numbers of 15 or so attacking all my feeders. But after a few days it changed and now I get only 3 or 4 at a time and are not bothering all my other birds coming.
I would call that a success story!
The European Starlings are one species of birds that are most beautiful among many other Starling birds, and besides, they can be trained, and they also mimic other bird sounds as well as human sounds. They are such fascinating birds.👍👍👍👍👍
Starlings and house sparrows are invasive. They need to go. Can you add a bird seed type that starlings won’t eat? I currently use a mix that mostly keeps sparrows away.
Safflower is you best bet. In a mixture, they will pick around it.
People make and sell starling traps on the internet, so if anyone would like to help the local bird population by dispatching them there’s that option
Daisy also makes an excellent product for this.
They do and some take that measure. Many do not have it in them to do that and this video was to help people work around them. They are here to stay.
@@MarksBackyardBirdsYes, unfortunately that’s true
Starlings are the hillbillies of the birds world . one shows up and then the whole clan comes brothers sisters cousins distant cousins etc. They're rude hog the feeders and don't know when they have worn out their welcome
They are an invasive species
Guess i'm in the minority. I feed for the birds, not for me, so i let them eat.
I think we all feed for the birds, but Starlings are different in that they come in droves and eat everything. The house sparrow and starling are both invasive, non-native species and highly destructive to local birds.
I don't discriminate....
You might reconsider if you saw how many native species of birds they kill.
@@DawnRK3204 As do Blue jays, catbirds, mocking birds, redwing blackbirds, chickadees, hawks owls etc... I follow Cornell Labs and there are pros and cons.
To each his own....make you own decisions. As long as its not just based on Groupthink
Yes, a major pest 😖