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new feeder---blues can't figure it out!

17 years ago

Hello,

I was having a LOT of problems with starlings eating EVERYTHING--they ate 15 lb suet in 1 week! So I splurged on a feeder with a wire grid with 1 3/4" openings to keep the big birds out. The blues can not figure it out! They stick their heads in to reach what they can, but they don't go inside. The wrens have figured it out, the sparrows have figured it out....I'm so FRUSTRATED! Any suggestions???

Thanks,

Ann

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Comments (3)

Ann
Original Author
17 years ago
Do many of you use feeders like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Birds-Choice-Recycled-Bluebird-Feeder_W0QQitemZ350162293539QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBird_Wildlife_Accessories

Did it take the birds long to figure it out??

I'll buy this one if you recommend it for quick bluebird comprehension!

Ann
riceps
17 years ago
I recently purchased the cage-type feeder from the Bluebird Nut Cafe web site. We enlarged every other opening slightly as per the instructions (since our BBs seem pretty fat right now). It only took about a day before they finally figured out how to get in and out of it. The best part is the starlings cannot get to the food and, so far, the mocker hasn't gotten anything. It's working really well. I know some people on this forum have been using it also.
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kendra2003
17 years ago
I would suggest just waiting a while. They should be able to get into a 1 3/4 inch opening, since the nest boxes have a 1 1/2 inch opening. A lot of birds learn from watching the others, and if the wrens and sparrows are going in, the blues will probably try it pretty soon too. If they don't take to it within a couple of days, you could try stretching a few of the bars to make them a bit wider and see if that helps.

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