Which seeds to use to top blackbirds from coming? I haven't hung this one yet but from ones I already have up it is party time for blackbirds.
1767064
Hi, are you saying Blackbirds? I live in CT and we have a Common Blackbird and another one my mom called a Grackle. "When the Grackles came then spring is here!" They did not stay long so put out some cheap stuff and let them have it until they leave. I know they like to feed on the ground so anything that falls they like. I have not seen one for three weeks now. When they leave I would think you would be fine.
1767065
I only have cardinals, bluejays, nuthatches, chickadees, woodpeckers, indigo buntings, rose breasted grosbeaks, red and yellow finches, mourning doves, bluebirds, and hummingbirds coming here in Western PA. I use mixed, shelled cardinal food from the hardware store and they all love it. I also feed thistle and a seed that looks a lot like trail mix in my other feeders. We also have owls, whippoorwill, hawks, etc. We live in the PA WILDS region of the state.Penn State has a blackbird problem and they use what sounds like percussion bombs to scare them off. Good Luck.
1767066
I have mainly starlings (one type of blackbird) in my area. I used only black sunflower seeds, and they have not taken over the feeder. It may be that the perching area is smaller (which is one of the recommendations for keeping away blackbirds. They also do not like to feed under anything, so when mine was hanging under a poch ceiling, they never came to the area. As for seeds, the sites I read suggest safflower seeds (very hard) as the one type of seed blackbirds will not eat. Not sure what other birds like it. here's one good link for more info: http://springfieldil.wbu.com/content/show/76860 Good luck!
1767067
I don't have a blackbird problem. The larger cardinals, orioles, rose breasted grosbeeks, etc all feed there right along with the yellow finches and chickadees. No problems. It is so sturdy you'll not regret buying one of these feeders.
1767068
I have mainly starlings (one type of blackbird) in my area. I used only black sunflower seeds, and they have not taken over the feeder. It may be that the perching area is smaller (which is one of the recommendations for keeping away blackbirds. They also do not like to feed under anything, so when mine was hanging under a poch ceiling, they never came to the area. As for seeds, the sites I read suggest safflower seeds (very hard) as the one type of seed blackbirds will not eat. Not sure what other birds like it. here's one good link for more info: http://springfieldil.wbu.com/content/show/76860 Good luck! I have mainly starlings (one type of blackbird) in my area. I used only black sunflower seeds, and they have not taken over the feeder. It may be that the perching area is smaller (which is one of the recommendations for keeping away blackbirds. They also do not like to feed under anything, so when mine was hanging under a poch ceiling, they never came to the area. As for seeds, the sites I read suggest safflower seeds (very hard) as the one type of seed blackbirds will not eat. Not sure what other birds like it. here's one good link for more info:... » Read More I have mainly starlings (one type of blackbird) in my area. I used only black sunflower seeds, and they have not taken over the feeder. It may be that the perching area is smaller (which is one of the recommendations for keeping away blackbirds. They also do not like to feed under anything, so when mine was hanging under a poch ceiling, they never came to the area. As for seeds, the sites I read suggest safflower seeds (very hard) as the one type of seed blackbirds will not eat. Not sure what other birds like it. here's one good link for more info: http://springfieldil.wbu.com/content/show/76860 Good luck! « Show Less
418953
I use a rectangular type plastic scoop that you can pick up at at bird food retailers (any including big box stores). Lift the top up of the feeder and fill the scoop and open the slide on the bottom of the scoop. You can control the seed much better that way.
1225784
I think you should add some compost to cover the seed to generate heat to get the seed to germinate and grow a lot quicker. Birds will eat the seed if it is not covered, and you need to water.
2250760
Is this the first feeder you have had in that area?Maybe move it to another place. Make sure your seed is fresh. You can try mixing fine sunflower chips with the thistleBe patient
3697
Hi, Amy. Good luck with the dried meal worms. We can't keep enough in he feeder during the cold months into early spring. We have noticed a slow down, but they still disappear in a couple of days. If you are a little more adventerous, try LIVE meal worms. The birds go nuts for these. The drawback is that they have to be kept in the fridge but if you're OK with that...a tupperware container with strips of news paper and some holes in the lid works just great. Bluebirds are our biggest consumers but other birds frequently stop by for a snack. Best wishes and good luck!!! alan in MA
420868
Interesting problem. I use a all purpose wild bird food. The two that I've found work best are Scott's Year Round Wild Bird Food and Scott's Songbird Selections Wild Bird Food Multi Bird Blend (The cardinals especially like this one). I have also had good results with Morning Song Year Round Wild Bird Food. To attract more cardinals, I put extra black oil sunflower seeds in the mix. I hope this helps.
2268993
Hung in a brushy shrub or evergreen, cardinals will visit them regularly. Black oil sunflower seed works best in them. They definitely aren't squirrel proof. I used a length of picture wire to wrap around the little ball on the cap and to the hanger so that if the squirrels get in, I don't loose my lids. Filling through the top with a canning funnel while it rests inside something that catches spilled seed works very well. The seed in these does not tend to stay wet, even when it snows-good air flow I guess. HTH!
1867591
Black sunflower seeds are what this is made for. Most mixes have a lot of smaller seeds that will fall out. I have found the birds have difficulty getting sunflower out though and would not recommend this feeder. It takes at least a week for them to empty this one and my other feeders need to be filled every day or two.
908268
I'm also facing this problem because of the snow and ice that accumulate and keeps the birds from getting to the seed. I'm thinking about buying "L" shaped aluminum pieces about 1/2" X 1/2" by 2 ft and screwing them to the corners of the base and attaching a piece of colored plexiglass to the "L" piecing using corner brackets. I think a colored cover might be easier for the birds to see; they might fly into a clear cover. To keep larger animals away I use an airsoft BB pistol that my grandson gave me! I have to wait until the weather warms up before I can build anything; it's -20 F outside and +10 F in my garage. I'm also facing this problem because of the snow and ice that accumulate and keeps the birds from getting to the seed. I'm thinking about buying "L" shaped aluminum pieces about 1/2" X 1/2" by 2 ft and screwing them to the corners of the base and attaching a piece of colored plexiglass to the "L" piecing using corner brackets. I think a colored cover might be easier for the birds to see; they might fly into a clear cover. To keep larger animals away I use an airsoft BB pistol that my grandson gave me! I have to wait until the weather warms up before I can build... » Read More I'm also facing this problem because of the snow and ice that accumulate and keeps the birds from getting to the seed. I'm thinking about buying "L" shaped aluminum pieces about 1/2" X 1/2" by 2 ft and screwing them to the corners of the base and attaching a piece of colored plexiglass to the "L" piecing using corner brackets. I think a colored cover might be easier for the birds to see; they might fly into a clear cover. To keep larger animals away I use an airsoft BB pistol that my grandson gave me! I have to wait until the weather warms up before I can build anything; it's -20 F outside and +10 F in my garage. « Show Less
1573620
I've had titmice, chickadees, one little goldfinch and occasionally juncos and cardinals. Juncos and cardinals prefer to feed on the ground but they have used the feeder when it was rainy outside. Unfortunately the squirrels like it too and perform all kinds of acrobatics to get the seeds. I only use sunflower seeds in it because I haven't had any luck with the seed mixtures. I live in Massachusetts and I always have more birds in the summer than in winter.
982365
I use the pellets from the Breeze system. I would assume the songbird safflower seeds would work just fine, but I haven't tried the seeds at all.
891596
Thistle seed is pretty light weight (and expensive) and may blow away in the wind if you put it in a mixed seed feeder. You would probably do better with a thistle tube feeder with the tiny holes. The smaller perches are great for finches but difficult for the larger birds to perch on. I've had great luck with both the thistle tubes and the socks. With socks, cheaper is better. They don't hold up as well, but it's easier for the birds to get the seed out of the cheap ones.
152246
Thank you to those who have commented. I was thinking of using this to protect my berry plants from hungry birds. Does anyone think this would be a good (or bad) idea?
1592639
I'm in Western NY and use a premium songbird blend. I stay away from anything with cracked corn to discourage grackles and blackbirds from bullying the chickadees, nuthatches and cardinals I do want to attract.
2155411
Hi Leanne, Thanks for your question. In response, we always recommend Black Oil Sunflower Seed as we've found it to work best with the "Skinny Squirrel" bird feeders. However, many of our customers have reported using a wide variety of other types of seed, with good results. Hope this helps.. If you have any other questions, just let me know.. Have a blessed day, Mark
1421959
I would say yes, keeping in mind that some bird seed mixes have sun flower seeds, this could be a problem distributing the mix evenly.
1048945
Any seed that is not too large. I use "3D Nut 'n Berry" (available at Wal-Mart). It works great in my hopper feeder, but the peanuts and berry bits can get stuck in the squirrel buster, so I separate out the peanuts and chop them in half. I like this seed mix because it's inexpensive (about $2/lb) and it attracts all of the birds local to my area here in PA. (I esp. love the purple finch, which did not visit my feeders until I started using this mix)