BIrd Feeder Suggestions

13 years ago

After much looking, I've found a group of bird feeders at a local resale store. Not that I didn't want to buy new ones, but good quality ones are expensive! So I waited...

I've attached a picture of them all cleaned up and ready to go once the weather gets better. From left to right, they are:
Droll Yankees B-7
Droll Yankees Thistle Feeder
Audubon Caged Squirrel Resistant Feeder

My request is for information about where is best to hang them and which feed I should put in each? About the only birds I'd specifically like to see stay away are house sparrows, let me know if there are others to avoid attracting. If there is a good site with guidelines, please send me there!

Thanks!

vince

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Comments (5)

koszta_kid
13 years ago
Nice feeders.Dh has put many feeders.His main one looks like a barn with suet cages on both side.He get's cracked corn and sunflower seed. And thistle seed for finches.Yes we have sparrows-but also many doves,cardinals finches. Some birds only eat from ground. And strange his finch feeder cheap plastic one-has line up for it.
shillanorth Z4 AB
13 years ago
Hang them in trees or on a post at least 5 feet above the ground(cats - grrrr). The birds will find them. Thistle( also called nyjer or finch seed) is what they look like they are made for except maybe the one on the left. The ports look pretty big - maybe Black Oil Sunflower Seed(BOSS) in that one. BOSS is a good seed that appeals to a broad group of birds. Enjoy!!
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Maybe the tree just needs to get bigger ? I remember tons of birds and tons of cherries my growing up years at grandmas. Her trees were large, but we could use ladders and I climbed waaay up. We had plenty to make pies and put up for winter. My tree now is so old and huge, the only way I get any cherries are when the birds are kind enough to drop a few for me to pick up. I try to remember to always say thank you. As it stands, you have nothing to loose by experimenting with adding feeders. Currently I'm mostly winning in getting the squirrels to leave my finch feeders alone by feeding them separately each morning. They have me well trained. ;) This post was edited by plaidbird on Sun, May 11, 14 at 16:17
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You can always try hanging the feeders independent of the trees. A post set into the ground with hooks for the feeders or the shepherd's crooks they sell specifically for this purpose would prevent any damage hanging feeding appliances directly to a tree might incur. As to the pros and cons of feeding birds.......I agree with Dan on this one. Expanding development has restricted/removed many of the natural habitats and food sources and encouraging birds to the garden is overall a very good thing - they are the best natural insect control available! Plus, they are infinitely entertaining. Planting to encourage habitat and to supplement food sources is desirable, but nothing wrong with feeders either. They can bring the birds up close and personal :-)) If you want songbirds, try a "no-waste" mix. Even if it gets scattered on the ground, it gets eaten too fast to hang around to attract rodents. And sapsucker damage to trees is generally more cosmetic than particularly harmful. Since they have a 'preferred' tree menu, you can always avoid attracting them by not planting the trees they like. And as they tend to limit their diet to insects and tree sap, with supplementation from fruits and berries - the seed feeders are unlikely to create additional problems.
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rsangel64 - I have a bunch of squirrels around that want the seed too but at this point they are doing me a favor by eating the stuff off the ground that these finch slobs fling everywhere. If the squirrels get up on the feeder, then they will be dealt with. Soooo... maybe scatter something the squirrels can eat off the ground which will perhaps keep em off the feeders. Cindy, I too have a family of cardinals which come several times a day, pretty much at the same times too. They seem to be pretty good about sharing THEIR feeder with the finches and bluejays. The mockingbirds eat apples I put out there for em. The doves dont seem to bother anyone, they just hang out the longest. I never used to have birds out back, but thanks to all the folks showing off their backyard feathered friends I was determined to see if I could attract em too. Sooo far sooooo good. Marion, try the big K or Tarjet. I looked online at petS and their cost was double! Seeing as you are into sewing, make one and just buy seeds. That would be the BEST thing. I bet yours would be WAYYYYYYY fancy and the birds would love em.
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I have tons of squirrel in my area. Both species are tree squirrels (gray and fox). There are so many that may be several passes through every couple of min. There's always a few hanging underneath the feeder alone with morning doves, grackles, and some times Canadian geese. Recently, I switch from a hanging tree feeder to a pole system where the base is 4 metal pins. I don't have to dig a hole or anything, just step hard on it to get it to go into the ground. My initial attempt to do this fail because I tried to do this next to a wall and the wall apparently have stones base that extend pass the wall. I then attach a baffle and then the feeder. The feeder is located 10 feet away from a tree so they can't jump that far, it's also over 6 feet up. So far, a few attempt to climb the pole but either slip off the metal or get to the top and get blocked by baffle. I don't know if it's raccoon proof, but there are raccoons in the area, but I don't know if anyone tried it. Paul
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farmboy1
Original Author
13 years ago
They officially went up Tuesday night, 4/2/2013. Hanging about 7-9 feet off the ground under a large, mature Norway Spruce, in sight of my kitchen corner nook. The big tube feeder filled with Black Oil Sunflower seed, the caged green one with Safflower seed, and the thistle feeder with Nyjer thistle seed. I scattered some BOSS and Safflower under each feeder.

The next morning things were quiet until about 9am, when I saw small birds near the big tube feeder. Then I saw a couple of Blue Jays, and some Cardinals nearby. I refilled the nearby birdbath to melt the icy water, and watched the birds having fun the rest of the day.

Less than two days later, I'm amazed at how many BOSS seeds have gone, about 1/3 of the tube. There's plenty of feeding being done on the ground, too, squirrels included.

The green feeder with the Safflower doesn't seem to be getting much action. Yet. The thistle feeder is getting some attention, but the big tube feeder is the main attraction so far. I'll be refilling it and trying to see if the birds will also go for Safflower mixed with BOSS in this feeder.

Now the fun begins, watching and identifying all the smaller birds from afar, zoom on the camera and binoculars just aren't perfect.

Comments and suggestions welcome. Thanks for the help in getting this novice birder up to speed!
shillanorth Z4 AB
13 years ago
That`s great that you have birds already. Sometimes it can take a while for them to find the feeder. Hands down, BOSS is the most popular feeder seed. Safflower is often used in place of it if you have squirrels or house sparrows hogging the feeder. Some of the other birds will take safflower but most prefer the BOSS. I only fill my feeders once a day - a lot does end up on the ground. Have you thought about adding a suet feeder - nuthatches, downy, hairy woodpeckers, flickers will all come to it although I find not so much as spring wears on. You should see some goldfinches on your thistle feeder as they make their way back - a real delight. Happy bird watching - you`re off to a great start!!
farmboy1
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for letting me know the popularity of BOSS versus Safflower. I've been amazed by the popularity, as if it was chocolate for birds! They have also found the thistle feeder, but have been cool with the green caged feeder filled with Safflower. So far. They seem to be more accepting of the Safflower seeds from the tube feeder.

I do want to add a suet feeder and a platform feeder, as I've seen the birds you mentioned in the yard previously.

BIrd Feeder Suggestions

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BIrd Feeder Suggestions

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koszta_kid

shillanorth Z4 AB

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