After many years watching birds at our feeders I noticed that the smaller birds staggered their time at feeders to be there when more aggressive birds were gone. My husband pointed out that birds go from area to area in the neighborhood which caused me to start watching timing more. I did have issues with doves and pigeons but found some feeders that slowed them down.
Thanks for this! After two years (I was lucky), the Starlings finally found my feeders... what a terror. I'm looking for such a solution. Reviews seem mixed, but I'm going to see if it works for me in Michigan. My chickadees and occasional bluebirds and goldfinches have almost disappeared since the invaders arrived. :)
I have a round squirrel proof feeder on a tall pole away from trees or anything a squirrel can jump from. I use a slinky from top to bottom of pole and the squirrels hate the slinky. But im still having problems with aggressive Bluejays and grackles. They fight and chase the woodpeckers and smaller birds.
I have a small one similar to this. I have it hanging on a pole so the squirrels can’t get to it. It seems to work well. I see lots of chickadees, finches, tufted titmouses, etc. using it. I have a lot of Eastern bluebirds and I see them occasionally use it, but not as much as the smaller birds. I haven’t seen any starlings, grackles, etc. have success getting seed from it, but I think that’s also because mine is smaller and they are too heavy to perch on it.
“Mealworms Bird Feeders Metal - Huge Caged Buffet Squirrels Proof Bird Feeder with 2 Meal Worm Cups, DIY Small Birds Wild Bird Feeders(Blue), 2lbs Seed Capacity” is how it’s listed on Amazon. Link in the description
We started using cylindrical caged feeders specifically to defeat the grackles that hogged our original feeder. I cannot recall when last I saw a grackle.
Ha! The squirrel just said "Ooh, enrichment!" and got in anyway. Cheeky little gits. I feel like this is also a nice thing to have if you want to feed birds but also have cats... Well, if you have cats like mine, who are quite capable of leaping straight up into the air and whacking a hanging feeder o.O I'd seen them do such leaps when battling blue jays. Didn't think they'd bother with Carolina Wrens and Cardinals!! But, cats are cats. I've changed some things round and we'll see if I can keep birds and cats separated a bit more successfully! (They didn't catch the birds btw, they just really wanted to; I suppose the cats think the birds are just superior toys. Everything else in the universe is for them, right? haha!)
I'm all about keeping grackles and starlings away, but the red winged blackbird? Never found them aggressive. I enjoy watching blue Jay's and listening to their calls. Seems like cardinals may be too big as well. Sad
Has anyone actually used it for bluebirds here? We have them a few miles away but I'm worried I'd be wasting mealworms trying to attract bluebirds and that they'd never find the feeder
After many years watching birds at our feeders I noticed that the smaller birds staggered their time at feeders to be there when more aggressive birds were gone. My husband pointed out that birds go from area to area in the neighborhood which caused me to start watching timing more. I did have issues with doves and pigeons but found some feeders that slowed them down.
Thanks for this! After two years (I was lucky), the Starlings finally found my feeders... what a terror. I'm looking for such a solution. Reviews seem mixed, but I'm going to see if it works for me in Michigan. My chickadees and occasional bluebirds and goldfinches have almost disappeared since the invaders arrived. :)
Very interesting feeder. 👍👍
I have a round squirrel proof feeder on a tall pole away from trees or anything a squirrel can jump from. I use a slinky from top to bottom of pole and the squirrels hate the slinky. But im still having problems with aggressive Bluejays and grackles. They fight and chase the woodpeckers and smaller birds.
I have a small one similar to this. I have it hanging on a pole so the squirrels can’t get to it. It seems to work well. I see lots of chickadees, finches, tufted titmouses, etc. using it. I have a lot of Eastern bluebirds and I see them occasionally use it, but not as much as the smaller birds. I haven’t seen any starlings, grackles, etc. have success getting seed from it, but I think that’s also because mine is smaller and they are too heavy to perch on it.
What is the feeder called?
“Mealworms Bird Feeders Metal - Huge Caged Buffet Squirrels Proof Bird Feeder with 2 Meal Worm Cups, DIY Small Birds Wild Bird Feeders(Blue), 2lbs Seed Capacity” is how it’s listed on Amazon. Link in the description
We started using cylindrical caged feeders specifically to defeat the grackles that hogged our original feeder. I cannot recall when last I saw a grackle.
Ha! The squirrel just said "Ooh, enrichment!" and got in anyway. Cheeky little gits. I feel like this is also a nice thing to have if you want to feed birds but also have cats... Well, if you have cats like mine, who are quite capable of leaping straight up into the air and whacking a hanging feeder o.O
I'd seen them do such leaps when battling blue jays. Didn't think they'd bother with Carolina Wrens and Cardinals!! But, cats are cats. I've changed some things round and we'll see if I can keep birds and cats separated a bit more successfully!
(They didn't catch the birds btw, they just really wanted to; I suppose the cats think the birds are just superior toys. Everything else in the universe is for them, right? haha!)
How do I secure lid?
Refilling??? How???
Either open the door and pour or open the top up
Just curious how heavy is it ? Just when you think its squirrel proof 🤷
7 lbs. it’s kind of a beast
Derick I would love to know where I could buy one of those because squirrels are the biggest pain-in-the-ass in my yard .
Link in the description!
I didn't see how this squirrel got to the feeder? If they can't get to it they can't get in.
I'm all about keeping grackles and starlings away, but the red winged blackbird? Never found them aggressive. I enjoy watching blue Jay's and listening to their calls. Seems like cardinals may be too big as well. Sad
Some people have issues with Red-wings. At that property where I put this up there are plenty of other feeders for them to go to
@@BadgerlandBirding Good to hear.
Red winged black bird are a nuisance in my yard.
Happy for them to get some seed, but seems they want it all.
Has anyone actually used it for bluebirds here? We have them a few miles away but I'm worried I'd be wasting mealworms trying to attract bluebirds and that they'd never find the feeder
idk why u had to do the blackbirds like that they need love to
😂 there are other feeders in the yard for them to go to
Please watch some videos of Doug Tallamy and share videos of native plants in your yard. They are the best bird feeders!!
My anti-squirrel feeders do their job except early summer when baby squirrels are small enough to fit through the bars.
Certainly almost trapped a squirrel.
Lol the squirrel got out
I bet squirrels really hate that thing. 😂
That's massive lol