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excluding blackbirds---need help!
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Posted by catlady4444 (My Page) on Tue, Feb 16, 10 at 8:10
| Hello,
I bought a feeder last year that looks like two metal plates separated by a cage with 1 1/2 " wire fencing. In the middle is a suet cage. I keep my mealworm warmer in there.
This keeps the starlings out, however, if they reach as far as they can, they DO get suet. Not much, but enough to keep them coming back and mobbing the feeder. The suet doesn't disappear very fast, but they clearly are getting something. They're also eating mealworms!!! And the blues won't come near if there's a mob of birds there.
I also have a feeder that has clear sides and 1/1/2 " holes, but they can stick their heads in there too and steal whatever I put in.
I want to make a much larger version of the cage-type feeder so they absolutely can't reach the food. I've looked everywhere and can't find suitable fencing/screening. Has anyone done anything like this? Does anyone have any better ideas that would TOTALLY EXCLUDE larger birds?
Also, does anyone feed these birds? Will they eat the cheap seed mixes? If I can dump a bag of seed far away, will they mob that instead?
Thanks,
Ann |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: excluding blackbirds---need help!
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If you like to build things, there are directions on this page mealworm feeder for a Bluebird feeder that works really well. You could even increase the size if you think it would help. I built one just like this and it works great to keep out the big birds. I mounted it on a pole with a stovepipe guard so chipmunks don't climb the pole to get to the food. They would gnaw right though the wood if they could get at it. Here is a picture of my set-up.
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RE: excluding blackbirds---need help!
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| Thanks Kendra---I don't know how I missed this website til now! The feeder seems like it would do everything I requested...it's only limitation is that I can't sit in my kitchen and spy on the blues with my binoculars. Watching them eat is a lot of the fun for me. Hmmm.....I have to think about this! Thanks so much for the suggestion!! Ann |
RE: excluding blackbirds---need help!
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| Ann, I understand your dilemma. I had originally had this feeder attached to my deck railing for the same reason as you: I could watch them from my kitchen table. However, the chipmunks got into it (it's amazing how small a hole they can climb through) and kept emptying it out. Bluebirds are so amazing. They would flutter in front of a window where I could see them while on my computer. I knew something was wrong and I would look out and sure enough, chipmunks in the feeder. That is why I relocated the feeder to a pole and I haven't had a problem with chipmunks since then. |
RE: excluding blackbirds---need help!
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| A few years ago my dh built this feeder for me and I am very pleased with it. The sides are heavy guage 1 1/2" wire. The wire squares are from one of those wired storage cubes. I bought a set at a Bed, Bath and Beyond store. I believe that there were 17 or 18 wire squares in the box for $15. It does keep out the larger birds like starlings, grackles, etc and the smaller birds zip right in including the bluebirds. A smaller sized starling can get in but that has only happened twice in 3 years. I would advise to make the feeder a little wider than mine is because the larger birds can reach in and grab seeds that are close to the edges. It's not really a problem though for me. 
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RE: excluding blackbirds---need help!
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| Renee, I really like your feeder. It is quite attractive, plus you can actually see who's feeding in there. I think I may look for those 1 1/2" spaced storage cubes. I think I could replace the sides on mine with the wire. Mine works really well, but I all I can see is a dark form moving once they go in. I would love to be able to see them feeding in there. |
RE: excluding blackbirds---need help!
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| Renee, that is a thing of beauty! I have been searching the globe for 1 1/2" wire mesh with no luck whatsoever (unless I'm willing to buy a whole roll of it for well over $100) so I'll be heading out to Bed Bath & Beyond tomorrow! If they don't have them anymore, I think I'm going to convert a regular bird cage and just hand-make 1 1/2" mesh to put where to doors are. I think I want to learn welding! LOL! Thanks so much for the idea and the photo! Ann |
RE: excluding blackbirds---PS
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| Renee--just bought the storage cubes and I'm working on my design! Does your roof have a hinge? Is the bottom wood? I'm very excited---thanks again! Ann |
RE: excluding blackbirds---need help!
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| Thanks, Kendra Catlady,
Thanks and your welcome. Yes, the roof has a hinge. We used a Piano hinge. The floor is just a peice of plywood. Make sure you drill drainage holes so any water can drain out from the floor. Enjoy your new feeder. |
RE: excluding blackbirds---need help!
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| Hi Renee, I finished my feeder and it has been up a week! If I could figure out how to post a photo, I'd show you my handiwork! (My brother converted my computer to Linux and now I can't get photobucket to work right---anyone have any ideas????) Most importantly, the blackbirds are GONE. It's very similar to yours but I used threaded posts in the four corners (my handyman's suggestion) and then clamped the wire square mesh to the posts. I made a door on one side and mounted the base on a post. I'm very pleased and happy to say the blues have been in & out of it! My only concern is that the cut edges of the wire square mesh are already rusting...but I guess I'll keep looking for replacement mesh by the roll, or something? Maybe I can dab some rust-preventing stuff on there? Thanks again so much for your ideas! Happy bluebirds, Ann |
RE: excluding blackbirds---need help!
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| I was very happy to be of any help and great job in winning that battle with the blackbirds. It is so much easier to enjoy watching the birds when your not fighting the hog birds. |
RE: excluding blackbirds---need help!
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: )
Trying Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/catlady4444/4451225728/ |
Here is a link that might be useful: new bird feeder
RE: excluding blackbirds---need help!
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| Hey Ann, have you ever heard of POR-15? You could paint that over the rusty cut edges and it would take care of the problem. That stuff really seals in rust. From what I've heard, it is sensitive to UV, so you may have to put paint over it when it dries. By the way, your feeder is wonderful! You did a great job. |
RE: excluding blackbirds---need help!
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| Thank you Kendra!!! : ) I just put POR-15 on my shopping list. Ann |
RE: excluding blackbirds---need help!
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| http://www.duncraft.com/Baffled-Bluebird-Feeder-P4282C29.aspx this would work too, but whew ! $60! plus shipping! |
RE: excluding blackbirds---need help!
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| That was my original bird feeder---except mine had a large suet basket screwed into the center. Ultimately I took it apart and put a smaller basket in it which did solve the problem. But...my dream bird feeder was already in the works by then! The modified original one was moved to a new location. Ann |
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