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Bird feeder Advice needed.......

lizbeth-gardener

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I have been into bird feeding for a long time, but want to get a feeder especially for Cardinals. I currently have the Droll Yankee tube feeders that I use for black oil sunflower seed and one for Niger thistle. I also have suet feeders for the woodpeckers. I have been looking at the Droll Yankee hanging feeder that has a dome for the Cardinals, as well as the platform feeders with a dome cover. I believe both of these have holes or screening for drainage. Any experience with either of these types of feeders and things I should look for/be aware of or are there other Cardinal feeders that you prefer?

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Comments (8)

Pat Z5or6 SEMich
6 years ago
Tubes are iffy, liz, because Cards are basically ground feeders and like a platform or wide saucer because the perches on most tubes are just too short for them. My Cards do like my Droll tube with the saucer attached for more room. I also have a platform feeder that they like.
lizbeth-gardener thanked Pat Z5or6 SEMich
lizbeth-gardener
Original Author
6 years ago
Pat, I should have made my post a bit more clear. I am using the tube feeders for black oil sunflower and thistle for other birds (not cardinals) and can't fill them fast enough.

I was looking for an opinion on the two different types of feeders I listed above, just for the Cardinals. I wanted to know if anyone has the Droll Yankee clear plastic hanging saucer type feeder with dome (made with Cardinals in mind) vs a platform feeder. Also, if you have the platform, do you have a cover/dome or open. Do you have any problem with open feeders and big birds (starlings, grackles, jays, etc.) driving the cardinals away?

I would appreciate any info you can offer.
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Old Forester ( Zones 8a-6a ) Ga/NC
6 years ago
I have an abundant cardinal population - I have counted 30+ in my view that encompasses my feeders. My open platform feeder hangs from a tree limb. Its pretty much a free for all when it

comes to different species feeding. Red headed woodpecker is dominant. Cardinals frequent it as often as all the others. Overtime they seem to follow a pecking order. My covered platform feeder sits on a post. See the same birds on it as the hanging. Just ordered some new tubes from Yankee Droll and I see they are offering perch extenders for the tube feeders.

Cardinals can hold their own, wouldn't worry about other birds chasing them away.

I don't have the dome platform feeder but I do believe it would pretty much work as advertised.
lizbeth-gardener thanked Old Forester ( Zones 8a-6a ) Ga/NC
lizbeth-gardener
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Old Forester: Thanks for sharing your experiences with the feeders in question and I'm glad to hear the Cardinals can hold their own. You are so fortunate to have so many! I have two pair that appear infrequently and would like to encourage more; I love Cardinals! I did see the perch extenders and will probably try some of those, too. I wish this site was more active; I love reading about other birders experiences, tips, sitings, etc.
Old Forester ( Zones 8a-6a ) Ga/NC
6 years ago
Cardinals prefer a wooded habitat with dense shrubs. Avoid placing feeders in an open space.
lizbeth-gardener thanked Old Forester ( Zones 8a-6a ) Ga/NC
Pat Z5or6 SEMich
6 years ago
I think Cardinals are timid and usually wait until the other birds are finished for the day before they alight on ANY feeder. I don't think it matters to them as much as the food (BOSS and safflower).
lizbeth-gardener thanked Pat Z5or6 SEMich
mr1010
6 years ago
I have loads of cardinals outside my window that I watch all day. They love my green, open no roof, square feeder, 14X14, screen on bottom to drain rain, available

on Amazon. They do like nearby shrubs or bushes or tall trees to scope out the feeder before they come eat.
lizbeth-gardener thanked mr1010
Olychick
5 years ago
juliet799 quit spamming these threads. You've been reported. all of your posts link to your business. that's not allowed here

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