We have one. We get birds of all sizes. Never seen any crows though, and never seen a hawk attack a bird in the feeder. Not too many hawks go after birds, in fact I have seen Mockingbirds chase a hawk right out of Dodge. ;>) We see Red Tails, Red Shouldered Hawks and occasionally a few Swallowtails, but they don't bother the feeder.
john

If I could only have one birdfeeder (heaven forbid!), it would be a platform, simply because it gets a larger variety of bird species than any other type. At least in my experience. Everything uses mine, from titmice and chipping sparrows to doves, cardinals, bluejays, red-bellied woodpeckers, wrens, and a whole bunch of migrating species. I've even had summer tanagers and buntings there.

I have a pole baffle on mine, too, which keeps the squirrels away, and it works great all year.

I also have hawks that show up at different times of the year, especially in late winter/early spring. The birds just lay low until they are gone. I've never had a hawk take a bird from my feeder (yet) and suspect that most of them know when the hawks are active.

Good luck with yours. I predict you will be glad you set it up.

Marcia (speaking of swallowtail kites, saw my first of the season last week, soaring low over the trees...looking for snakes and other goodies to snatch from the canopy, no doubt. My absolute favorite bird of prey!)

I finally, unfortunately, witnessed a hawk take a bird from near my feeder a month or so ago. My maple now has leaves, so I hope it is better hidden from them. It would be hard to witness them, because it takes only 2 seconds. I'll do what I can to make it safer for them.

Very pretty pictures, thanks for sharing.

Gary

The big 'surprise' was seeing the huge black fish crows coming to the feeder! I had put some older strawberries on the platform and apparently the crows really like that. I was aiming for attracking the mockingbirds, but got crows instead!

My hawks hunt daily in my yard. I have two - a sharpie and a red tail. I call them both "Hannibal Lector" for obvious reasons. Neither is scared or phased by me in the slightest and will perch a few feet away from me -- watching me - while I'm working in the yard.

One literally buzzed my 68 year old mother on the patio -- literally, came inches from her face - while it was aiming for it's target, a dove.

I'm trying to move away from hanging feeders on my trees. Unfortunately, between the fruit rats and the squirrels, none of the birds are getting any of the food and I don't want to encourage the rats! I witnessed a fruit rat fail at an attempt to climb the platform feeder (hooray!). I don't mind the squirresl, but, do mind the rats!

I have the platform feeder in the only open area in my yard, but, it's not too far from trees and shrubs. But, too far for a squirrel to leap on it from a tree.

Is that the recommended set up?

Btw...good to see you posting again, MaNature! :)

where do you get the baffles for these? I like this idea, I used to have feeders but the rats went crazy over them and that is not good.

Thanks, SPF...nice to find a few minutes to post again. I don't get much opportunity any more.

Yes, you have the idea right...too far from the trees (or birdbaths, benches, statuary, etc) for the squirrels to be able to jump directly to the tray. Yet close enough to trees and bushes for the birds to find cover. Sounds like you are on the right track. Funny, I had a fish crow at my feeder a couple weeks ago, too. First time for me, as well. It was just going after seeds and peanuts. Must be hungry out! Haha.

Leahrenee, you can get pole baffles at PetSmart and other places that sell birdseed or pet supplies. You can also order them online from lots of different places. Just google squirrel baffles, and you will get a lot of websites that offer them, as well as various types of feeders. For me, they work better than any of the so-called "squirrel proof" feeders. I've never had one of those that the squirrels couldn't figure out.

Good luck!
Marcia

They sell them at HD and Lowes too - which is where I got mine. I think they're like $14 or so. Like anything, you get what you pay for. The nicer ones can cost $25 and up.

Mine is a cone-shaped baffle made from plastic and was chewed up by the squirrels. I fixed it (sorta..) and am using it for the pole feeder.

Thought I'd post an update on the feeder. I gotta say, definetly getting more bird action now!

I know have some Grackles visiting and the Crows have become regulars too. I don't really mind either of these birds even though some consider them nuisance.

Also, the squirrels have figured out have to access the feeder - of course they have. But, it's so out in the open, they don't stay long in it.

I like being able to just toss expiring fruit and bread into it too for variety.

It's definitely spring mating time and looking forward to the baby birds!

Did you try a baffle on the pole, SPF? That keeps my squirrels (and there are at least 20 that visit my yard daily) completely out.

One word of caution about the bread...it can be detrimental to birds to eat very much. Completely empty calories as far as their nutrional requirements are concerned. A bit now and then won't hurt, of course, but I'd go sparingly on it. The fruit should be fine, as long as it isn't moldy or anything like that. It ought to attract mockers and a few others that don't always come to feeders for ya.

Glad you are enjoying your tray feeder! Mine has been pretty busy, on days when the hawks aren't around. But most of the migrants have passed through, though I did see a lone indigo bunting yesterday. Right now, though, it's white-winged & mourning doves, cardinals, titmice, Carolina wrens, red-bellied woodpeckers, and the occasional bluejay. The goldfinches, chipping sparrows and the summer tanager have moved on. My hummer is out every day, though, and I've been hearing and seeing great crested flycatchers, though they don't come to the feeder. (Too busy catching flies, I reckon)! And the barred owls have started calling.
Can the Chuck-Will's-Widow be far behind? Hope not!

Marcia

Hi Marcia! Thanks for the info on the bread -- did not know that! I do have lots of seed and fruit mixed along with bread products. My bread is whole grain...btw! ;-)

The Grackles are the biggest feeders right now - even surpassing the Crows. I did see the Mockingbirds give chase to the Crows.

I do have a baffle, but the squirrels are launching from a shephards hook to the top of the platform feeder. I figure, if they are willing to risk it, they can have a few snacks. I think the Grackles are out eating the squirrels anyway.

I now understand why most people don't want Grackles at the feeder. What is interesting is how they will take a piece of bread, fly over to the fouuntain and dip it into the water before they eat it! LOL....

SPF, I have seen grackles do that, too. They are such funny birds. I don't mind them when they pass through. They don't hang around here but a few weeks, so they have never given me a real problem.

I put my platform feeder where the squirrels can't jump to it, and with the baffle in place, they are really locked out. I do have some other feeders here and there they can reach, if they get really determined, and I often just put safflower seed in those, since they don't like it a lot. (They WILL eat it now and then, but mostly they don't care for it.)

I have a very handsome red-bellied woodpecker that is coming to my feeder a lot these days...the other birds give him a wide berth. That beak is intimidating.

Marcia

A report on my feathered friends. All winter birds seem to be gone except painted buntings and catbirds. I hope the catbirds hit the road in some ways, because they'll be hitting my blueberries when they ripen. It doesn't bother me them eating their share of my mulberries. Goldfinches, unfortunately, mostly disappeared in Feb., with a few visiting a few times after that.

Gary

Oh wow! That's great that you have the woodpecker visiting! Are you using some special feed to attract it?

My squirrels will eat anything...safflower seeds don't slow them down a bit!