6 replies to this topic

[snorkyller]

Hi everybody.
How can I prevent some species from eating on my feeders (brown-headed cowbirds and common grackles).

Because of these black birds, the other birds doesn't come anymore.  My feeder are becoming loosen: maybe these birds are too much heavy.  They eat too much.  And a lot of uneated seeds get on the ground.

My feeder is exactly as this one: http://www.boisbeckett.org/images/mangeoire3511.jpg

Thank you.
Snorkyller
Québec city

[Possumbird55]

Hello, Snorkyller, welcome to whatbird!  You might want to try one of the squirrel-proof feeders or one that has a cage around it that only allows the smaller birds to get to the seed.

[gccrews]

You need to put Safflower seeds in your feeders. Black birds and crackles don't eat it.

[Norman_24]

I agree on the safflower seed... Squirrels don't like it as well..

[snorkyller]

I'm trying the safflower seed and, for the grackles, that's a success, but all the other birds have stopped coming too. 
Since 1 week, I haven't seen any bird yet. Before, there was a lot of birds! :house sparrow, american goldfinch, warbler, black-capped chickadee, purple finch.  Do these birds like safflower seed?

Bye.  Have a nice day!
 

[jude]

It can take a while for birds to return to a feeding station, esp in times of abundant food supply in nature.

At our feeders, the house sparrows chase the smaller birds and defy every bit of advice that I've ever read about what house sparrows don't like.

The house sparrows and house finches do eat the safflower we put out. We haven't had the goldfinches, chickadees, or titmice return in quite some time.

You might want to add a dripping water source to the area. The sound also attracts birds. Also there are feeders which have a grid outside them, so only smaller birds can get through. Not sure if this would work for you. It's useless for discouraging house sparrows.

[Possumbird55]

Here's another idea, snorkyller...There is a bird feeder called the Aspects Vista Dome Feeder, that no only has a dome to keep the seed dry but the dome is adjustable so you can keep the larger birds out.  This way if feeding only safflower gets to expensive you can put some less expensive feed in this feeder and keep the blackbirds out too. THey have one in the Whatbird store.  I don't have one but I've seen reviews of it and it looks like it might, at least, partially solve your problem