Birds don't like new feeder ...

17 years ago

I had to replace my old wooden bird feeder this spring. I didn't like the squirrels so much getting into it, but what was really the last straw was when I realized that neighborhood RATS were getting into the feeder. So I got a fancy space agey lucite conical hanging bird feeder, I believe it's called Sky Cafe, and hung it farther from the deck and from a very high branch. Just a few feet from the old feeder's location. Two months later, I just took it down because the seed was untouched. No rats or squirrels, but no birds either. After about a month of untouched seed I hung the old wooden tray from the bottom of the new feeder, and birds came to that. Then I hung the suet feeder from the top of its chain, and the birds came to that. But not one bird would touch the new feeder. I watched them actively avoid it while approaching the suet feeder.

Now the old wooden feeder is back up, where I had the new one hung, and the birds are coming to it. Is this common, do birds not like plastic feeders? or do they object to the Jetsons aesthetic, or what? Any experiences here?

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Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
17 years ago
I had to Google it - the "fancy space agey lucite conical" thing had me intrigued :-) I can't for the life of me figure out why your birds are avoiding it, unless it is somehow giving off a reflective glare that is scaring them. Its style is not all that dissimilar from other, squirrel-proof feeders I've seen. IME, birds in my garden will feed at any feeder I hang up. The only exception was some woven sock-like thing for finches and niger thistle and that was because the thing just didn't work - they couldn't get the seed out.

The best squirrel-proof feeders I've encountered are simply those dish-shaped plastic baffles that cover the top of any hanging feeder - keeps the rain from the seed very nicely as well.
morz8 - Washington Coast
17 years ago
Reg, I haven't tried your feeder, but if rats are being attracted to the old one, birds don't like the new one, I'd go for Plan C. We had a bit of a temporary rat problem here too from birdfeeders and agreed as a neighborhood to stop feeding birds for a year (while trapping). Yuch. Oddly, we seemed to have just as many birds in our Spring and Summer nest boxes as years when we were feeding - go figure.

Gardengal, finches and siskins loved those thistle socks in my yard - then I realized I was creating a different type feeding station for hawks when that wasn't my intent. I can't seem to win when it comes to trying to supplemental feed birds :( But with no feeders, nesting boxes + bird baths and water available, a mix of shrubs and perennials, we have swallows, chickadees, hummingbirds, robins, finches all nesting where we can enjoy them...not that I don't still chase the occasional wandering cat.
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Mary, I really like that because it is sturdier than the platform feeders that use screening, which often gets nasty and holes from much use. You could clean that in the dishwasher after a good hand wash. I have some small animal cage lids around. What did you use and how did you hook the chain to the lid? Regarding copyright - put a copyright note with your name and date on every photo. That should cause some pause. If I read their policy correctly they are not claiming the right to own your photos, but the right to use your copyrighted materials. From an owner's standpoint that most likely makes no difference, since many of us might want a company to seek permission before use. They won't have to, but at least if you put a copyright mark on your photo you will get credit as it being your photo if they do decide to use it. I am seriously contemplating leaving GW completely because I don't want my emails to get on mailing lists and I don't like the fact that when I log on with my name and password it redirects my information to an unsecure site. iV is also associated with way too many affiliate sites for my liking. Sometimes there comes a point where I am not comfortable using a site that could prove to be a huge annoyance later, when I weigh it against how much I use the site now, which is very little. Also, on the bird forum I found an opt-out link for the site where you can supposedly instruct iV to not sell or give away your email addresses, but we all know how that goes. Sometimes just the act of opting out of something puts your email on the expensive (more valuable) list, as it is a comfirmation that there really is a person behind the email. Most internet security instructions say to igmore opt-outs, but since this opt-out is directly affilated and put out by iV maybe it is safer, but then again maybe not. They ARE mass marketers and information about our usage on the site is their main business. They will track us: what we read, how many times we visit, what we post, and what we buy. Data mining. I get rid of data miner files every week, do I want more on purpose? It all might mean nothing as well. To each his own. Take care, CT
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Carol_Ann
17 years ago
It sometimes takes awhile (a long while!) for birds to get used to a new feeder. Keep it up, keep fresh seed it in, give them time, and they'll start using it.

That being said, they do prefer some feeders over others. Feeders with a platform appeal to a wider variety of birds. Wood or plastic doesn't seem to be an issue.

Sometimes I throw out a handful of seed on the ground/patio to attract the birds that like to feed off the flat surface -- some gets lost to the squirrels but I only do a handful every few days so it's not a big loss, and I get to see birds I wouldn't otherwise see.

They'll use yours. Be patient, and good luck!
olympiceagle
17 years ago
We have 5 bird feeders (lucite ones from Wild Birds Unlimited)hanging under the eaves of our home, and squirrels have routinely scampered up the side of the house to hang on the feeders and eat. We recently found an item in WalMart called Squirrel Away that is sprinkled in the bird seed before filling the feeder. It claims not to be harmful to either the birds or the squirrels. It's been working like a charm. A few squirrels still occasionally brave the stuff, but most of them now just stay on the ground beneath the feeders. Also, we've not seen any reduction or change in the birds' feeding. Cost is $1.97 for a packet that "treats" 25 pounds of bird seed, but we've found that a packet per 15 pounds or so works best for us.
chelseainbrooklyn
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I came across this post because we also have the sky cafe and birds appear to be avoiding this feeder. They fly up to it, hover, then leave without taking seed. It’s perplexing given all the positive reviews for this feeder (and all the birds who came to our old feeder before).

Birds don't like new feeder ...

Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

morz8 - Washington Coast

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olympiceagle

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