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question about finches and feeders

16 years ago

I was browsing in Lowe's and picked up one of those net sock feeders for finches. I enjoyed it so much, I bought one of the tube feeders with a tray a week later. My question is, is it normal to have seed spilled like crazy? Or are my feeders just "cheap". Just wondering as it seems that they spill half the seed over a week period and it makes a big mess on our deck. If it the feeders, any recommendations?

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Comments (6)

cjc45
16 years ago
Are you sure it's seed and not empty hulls?
frangione1
Original Author
16 years ago
I thought I read that nyjer thistle seed didn't have hulls. I guess I am wrong?
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Hi Paul, I have my finch feeder (from either Home Depot or Lowe's) outside now and it has been a huge hit with the goldfinches. I think it's a Perky Pet brand plain old plastic finch feeder, with a silver top, about $12.00 - and this feeder has fallen down from high up over our patio and not a crack. The seed in it also holds up well after a snowstorm. On this feeder I push all of the 3 perches in far enough so that three are quite short (sparrows like longer perches I guess, so this should help discourage them. I guess goldfinches don't care, because they use them). Perky Pet also makes an inexpensive feeder specially designed for goldfinches - where the seed portals are placed below the perches, which is not a problem for the finches but is a problem for other birds. Just some suggestions -
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That is quite the finch feeder you have the link to! It looks great. The only problem I had with a sock feeder was rain. I felt I couldn't leave the seed there, too much chance of it rotting. I swear by the two finch feeders I have: both made by the "Perky Pet" company. One is a plain plastic finch feeder with the tiny portals, and regular perches; the other is one made specially for goldfinches, on which they have to hang upside down. Only goldfinches have ever used their feeder, and the goldfinches also love the other feeder. Our house finches usually prefer black sunflower in the regular tube feeder we have, but I've seen them on the finch feeder too. I have seen chickadees enjoying the regular finch feeder. The house sparrows don't bother it though. One note: I have read that if you shorten the perches on a finch feeder it makes it more difficult for other birds to use those perches.
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It took a little while for my goldfinches to get used to the metal feeder but they did. Sept. 28, 2013 In the summer I don't see many goldfinches at all; only singly or in pairs. I think they're breeding now and there's plenty of wild seed to eat. Maybe you should try hanging a nyjer sock next to the metal mesh feeder to get them used to it. I think that's what I did. It will also tell you whether the goldfinches are still around now. I just found these two old pictures: March 30, 2009 - side by side February 10, 2010 - looks like I put a sock inside the mesh feeder Claire
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Yes, sometimes this IDing the birds thing can make a newbie feel like she's gone a little "around the bend" as they say! :) Especially with all the species that are brown with stripes! LOL Thanks for writing, though, I appreciate the thought. I did realize that a photo would have made a huge difference in people being able to help me out, so I am going to keep my camera by my side and get my DH to work with me on posting photos. Thanks again for writing - I check in here every day because I haven't enjoyed anything like backyard birding in a long time. Your humor was appreciated. :)
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donnalovesblue
16 years ago
What you see are the hulls. I have several sock feeders hanging from tree branches in early spring and the goldfinches will empty them in a single day!

Donna
frangione1
Original Author
16 years ago
Okay. Thanks for educating a newbie!!
bedelia
16 years ago
I also have a tube feeder. I notice other birds and critters (chipmunks, etc.) eat the leftovers that fall to the ground. I would think it's a combo of hulls and seeds, unless the hulls are yummy for the other birds.

I did put a tray on the feeder, and that was a disaster. I had a chipmunk who made himself at home in the tray, and once I saw the HOSPs in the tray, I took it down. Squirrels also tried to get in, but it wasn't big enough for them.

So, I'm thinking it's more than just hulls dropping into the tray, but I could be wrong.
frangione1
Original Author
16 years ago
I guess I'll have to keep an eye out. I really don't see many squirrels at all in our yard and have never seen any other critters. I guess I need to take a closer look at what is actually on the ground to see if it is seeds or just hulls.

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