Bird feeders

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

Interesting, I did not know they had these. Made in the USA, too.

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They are visible from inside, but just barely, and not obstructive of my view at all.


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[toobfreak]

Sadly, the truth of the matter is that while that feeder may keep squirrels out of the feeder, it cannot stop small birds picking through the seeds looking for ones they want throwing the rest to the ground, where the squirrels can just walk up and eat freely.

 

[The Duke]

Sadly, the truth of the matter is that while that feeder may keep squirrels out of the feeder, it cannot stop small birds picking through the seeds looking for ones they want throwing the rest to the ground, where the squirrels can just walk up and eat freely.

Obviously you have one.
Yep, that's about how it goes.

 

[toobfreak]

So far, yes.

Just wait until a smarter squirrel comes along and figures out that he can get from on top to the handle on the side, then from there, swing and drop in on the seeds.

 

[toobfreak]

Obviously you have one.
Yep, that's about how it goes.

Not anymore but I did for years. I tried all manner of device to keep squirrels out. Ultimately, the birds feed them and you end up with seeds all over the ground feeding the squirrels, moles and whatever else eats the seeds.

 

[The Duke]

toob's right, the birds drop tons of stuff the squirrels eat down below.
They may not get it directly, but they get it. Well, until Hawkey comes along, anyway.
At least 'round heanh.

 

[toobfreak]

toob's right, the birds drop tons of stuff the squirrels eat down below.

The big birds use their beaks and will sit there just shoveling those little white seeds out onto the ground looking for the tasty big juicy seeds they crave like sunflower.

One could try to make a suspended catch below for most of these thrown/discarded seeds that squirrels can't get to from above or below, but now you have that to empty and clean too, and at some point, you have to draw the line on just how much you want to work at combating the squirrels.

Squirrels are determined; if they could find a tiny chain saw, they'd cut down the whole damned feeder. They will jump from fences or even power/phone lines trying to make it to the feeder, then they sit there cramming every last seed into their mouth they can fit.

 

[The Duke]

Hi,

I'm Tachyon Blue.

I've been a lurker for a while.

But I wanted to introduce myself because I plan on making a big post soon and engaging with the community.

Hope you'll treat me gently...
But if not, that's fun too.

See you around!
-Tachyon

The big birds use their beaks and will sit there just shoveling those little white seeds out onto the ground looking for the tasty big juicy seeds they crave like sunflower.

One could try to make a suspended catch below for most of these thrown/discarded seeds that squirrels can't get to from above or below, but now you have that to empty and clean too, and at some point, you have to draw the line on just how much you want to work at combating the squirrels.

Squirrels are determined; if they could find a tiny chain saw, they'd cut down the whole damned feeder. They will jump from fences or even power/phone lines trying to make it to the feeder, then they sit there cramming every last seed into their mouth they can fit.

..Until Hawkey comes along.
Hawkey has to have his too, you know.
His is squirrel and rats and lizards.
Damn, that 2nd thing looks like the way to my hunting spot. I smelt cat piss there before. Not the bestest of feelings.

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

Just wait until a smarter squirrel comes along and figures out that he can get from on top to the handle on the side, then from there, swing and drop in on the seeds.

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I have a tray feeder like this, very easy for the birds to use, but also very accessible to the squirrels, until I started popping in a suet cake laced with hot pepper oil, along with the seeds.

Hot pepper is a favorite of most birds and torture for mammals! Works like a charm!


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[playtime]

I'm a pop me some Jays. They're crowding out the nice cardinals.
Daisy gon' get 'em. I feed the big yardbirds now.
They won me over. 2 of em were born in my back yard.

blue jays are bully birds. they are welcome to eat the seed i throw down on the ground - but stay away from the the good stuff in the feeders ( black oil sunflower ). most times i just hafta shout the word 'out ' & they'll fly off swearing at me. i will give them grace in the winter & let them have suet.

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

blue jays are bully birds. they are welcome to eat the seed i throw down on the ground - but stay away from the the good stuff in the feeders ( black oil sunflower ). most times i just hafta shout the word 'out ' & they'll fly off swearing at me. i will give them grace in the winter & let them have suet.

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Thankfully, we have few of them here. They're pretty to look at but not good neighbors for my finches.


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[playtime]

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Thankfully, we have few of them here. They're pretty to look at but not good neighbors for my finches.


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you can invest in a caged feeder that only small birds can get into - but the trade off is less visibility to watch them.

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

you can invest in a caged feeder that only small birds can get into - but the trade off is less visibility to watch them.

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I wonder if it's less likely to allow rain inside, too. I have two of these finch feeders and I am always forgetting to bring them inside before a rain.

 

[playtime]

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I wonder if it's less likely to allow rain inside, too. I have two of these finch feeders and I am always forgetting to bring them inside before a rain.

View attachment 1138946

i have a finch feeder similar to yours, but it hangs under my soffit , so unless it's windy rain,
( then i bring it in ) it stays dry. there are clear domes you can put over that can work, again as long as the wind isn't a factor.

however they do sell thistle feeders with domes:

Droll Yankee Domed Thistle Feeder With Cage at BACKYARD BIRD WATCHER is where this pic is from but seems pricey - $69.00 ... i'm sure there are others out there less expensive.

 

[Concerned American]

Cool!
How is the top held on?

I suspect gravity. I think it slides over a center column.

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

i have a finch feeder similar to yours, but it hangs under my soffit , so unless it's windy rain,
( then i bring it in ) it stays dry. there are clear domes you can put over that can work, again as long as the wind isn't a factor.

however they do sell thistle feeders with domes:

backyardbirder.com is where this pic is from but seems pricey - $69.00 ... i'm sure there are others out there less expensive.

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I paid like $35 each for the very simple ones I have. Might be because I bought them at a very local business that overprices most everything. For instance, I pay three times as much there for meal worms as I do in a larger store that sells in volume.

I like the idea of hanging the feeder under the soffit. Most of our rain comes with wind, so it's going to be a process to get the problem solved.


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[Woodznutz]

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I like the idea of hanging the feeder under the soffit.


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That's where my hummingbird feeder is. I get to watch them up close.

 

[Woodznutz]

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Thankfully, we have few of them here. They're pretty to look at but not good neighbors for my finches.


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I had a bluejay at my feeder recently. First one I've seen here in years. I don't know what happened as we always had lots of them around screaming at one thing or another.

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

That's where my hummingbird feeder is. I get to watch them up close.

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In our old house, my late husband loved watching them and we had four feeders in front of the living room window. He sometimes counted 20 birds at one time.

I felt so badly for the birds when the people I sold the house to removed the feeders.

I now have so many feeders and so many birds of different kinds and a couple of the neighbors have commented on how they like waking up to the singing!


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[Woodznutz]

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In our old house, my late husband loved watching them and we had four feeders in front of the living room window. He sometimes counted 20 birds at one time.

I felt so badly for the birds when the people I sold the house to removed the feeders.

I now have so many feeders and so many birds of different kinds and a couple of the neighbors have commented on how they like waking up to the singing!


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My feeders used to attract a wide variety of birds. Now I mostly get a gang of sparrows gobbling up the feed before the others arrive. Oh well.