What is the best bird feed for this bird feeder . I did buy I bag of Wagner 13008 deluxe bird food . So far no birds are eating it .
216902
Since I mainly have Cardinals -- I just used sunflower seeds -- other birds like it also --
216903
You can put any feed you want to in the feeder.. It takes a while for the birds to get used to the new feeder. Just be patient. I use feed that is good for cardinals bc we have a few of those, it's a mix with lots of sunflower seeds. Stay away from feed with corn.. It's bad for a number of reasons. Hope this helps. I'm not sure if it's the color or what but it did take at least a week for them to come after I changed the feeder. The big squirrels cannot get into it but the red squirrels still manage bc they are so light.
216904
we have used both the mixed bird seed and black oil sunflower seed in ours and the birds love both. You may need to see which foods the birds in your area really enjoy. If you have cardinals, sparrows, mostly the song birds love the black oil sunflower seed.
216905
I've always used exclusively black oil sunflower seeds. Quite a variety of colorful song birds seem to love it. I also think it is the least expense. I buy a 50 pound bag usually about once a year.
216906
I have had two problems with this feeder - and I only feed black oil sunflower seeds so I attributed the problem(s) mostly to that. One is that the wire which controls how much upward pressure is on the landing keeps slipping out of the groove; I bent it so it pretty much stays where I put it (now). The other problem was that no birds went to it. I discovered that the openings they allow for the seed to progress to bird access were too small. I inserted a flat blade screwdriver into each spot and forced (bent) the opening larger on all access points. Really easy fix and it worked! ... or the combination of them both did. The birds now are consistently active at the feeder. I have had two problems with this feeder - and I only feed black oil sunflower seeds so I attributed the problem(s) mostly to that. One is that the wire which controls how much upward pressure is on the landing keeps slipping out of the groove; I bent it so it pretty much stays where I put it (now). The other problem was that no birds went to it. I discovered that the openings they allow for the seed to progress to bird access were too small. I inserted a flat blade screwdriver into each spot and forced (bent) the opening larger on all access points. Really easy fix and it worked! ... or... » Read More I have had two problems with this feeder - and I only feed black oil sunflower seeds so I attributed the problem(s) mostly to that. One is that the wire which controls how much upward pressure is on the landing keeps slipping out of the groove; I bent it so it pretty much stays where I put it (now). The other problem was that no birds went to it. I discovered that the openings they allow for the seed to progress to bird access were too small. I inserted a flat blade screwdriver into each spot and forced (bent) the opening larger on all access points. Really easy fix and it worked! ... or the combination of them both did. The birds now are consistently active at the feeder. « Show Less
1061398
I agree with the first comment. Cardinals can use the feeder, but seem to prefer a platform style feeder. I have seen them sitting on the ground under the Squirrel Solutions Feeder waiting for another bird to spill seed onto the ground!
992151
We don't have very many starlings here. Had a couple of flocks migrating through and they didn't get on the feeder, just ate the seed on the ground spread by the other birds.
1055600
How long has it been? It can take a week or two for the birds to notice it and trust it. Do you have other feeders the birds go to? Is this one out in the open? What kind of seeds are you using?
1573616
I'm in New England and the prominent birds that use the feeder are Goldfinches. That was the problem they hang out at this feeder & the titmice, chickadees, nuthatches don't have a chance to get the seed. We do have a finch feeder out but they prefer this. I have seen downy & hairy woodpeckers also occasionally a cardinal give it a go if it is quiet. Crackles (blackbirds) also are on the feeder. I'm looking for another feeder that will accommodate the variety of birds we are used to feeding.
1803592
Orioles arrived yesterday and they love the grape jelly! I buy it in a squeeze bottle and try to fill it regularly. Birds suck it clean. I can't vouch for the nutrition they're getting.
75126
In my experience sparrows have not been able to use this feeder. Whether they can learn is unclear but I've had it for over a year and I'm enjoying my downies use of it, not seeing other birds use it.
2086894
I had a bear get at two of my feeders last year and he broke the bases. On chance, I emailed More Birds and they sent me replacement parts! It would be worth an email.Jim
331722
I don't know. My 2 cockatiels started eating the second I put the feeder in the cage. Are the birds tame, maybe put some feed in your hand close to the feeder. Good luck. I also have 7 parakeets that eat out of the feeders.
992076
I tried a plain plastic wild birdseed feeder, but it was too light and birds spilled more than they ate. I have had great success with a shallow dish with a long hook that is attached to center of dish and threads through a dome over it that helps with weather and also acts as a squirrel baffle. It is also made of plastic, but the long combination screw/hook component adds enough weight that birds don't spill worms as they land. I bought the feeder from Lowes, but there are probably many out there. Having a dish to put worms in decreases breakage of worms too unless you rehydrate them which I never have to do as the birds empty feeder daily. I tried a plain plastic wild birdseed feeder, but it was too light and birds spilled more than they ate. I have had great success with a shallow dish with a long hook that is attached to center of dish and threads through a dome over it that helps with weather and also acts as a squirrel baffle. It is also made of plastic, but the long combination screw/hook component adds enough weight that birds don't spill worms as they land. I bought the feeder from Lowes, but there are probably many out there. Having a dish to put worms in decreases breakage of worms too unless you rehydrate them which... » Read More I tried a plain plastic wild birdseed feeder, but it was too light and birds spilled more than they ate. I have had great success with a shallow dish with a long hook that is attached to center of dish and threads through a dome over it that helps with weather and also acts as a squirrel baffle. It is also made of plastic, but the long combination screw/hook component adds enough weight that birds don't spill worms as they land. I bought the feeder from Lowes, but there are probably many out there. Having a dish to put worms in decreases breakage of worms too unless you rehydrate them which I never have to do as the birds empty feeder daily. « Show Less
23618
Try 4 oz aspect humming bird feeder they dont leak easier to clean and ive not had any large birds on mine Not sure if amazon sells i got mine at wild birds unlimited. Good luck
1868664
Sorry, I can't really help you. I didn't have that problem during the short period of time my feeder was in use. It was destroyed by a hungry bear shortly after I installed it! I guess if there is a space where a small bird could get into the feeder, it's a possibility. It's been quite a while since I had my feeder, so I don't remember much about it. You might want to call the Perky Pets folks -- they might be able to shed some light on the problem. They are an old, well-established bird-feeder company!
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.
2042415
To be sure your birds are getting good nutrition it's good to feed pellets also (they are the equivalent to dry dog or cat food only formulated for birds). To encourage the bird to eat the pellets if they are used to seed you can put the pellets in a dish up high and the seed down low in the cage. Don't starve a bird, but if you let it get just a little hungry it might try the pellets. If your bird likes people food you can also pretend to eat the pellets so they get the idea. Try Roudy Bush or Zupreem, and buy at first from a pet store that will let you return the food if they won't eat it, and then once you find out what they will eat, then you can buy that cheaper on Amazon. To be sure your birds are getting good nutrition it's good to feed pellets also (they are the equivalent to dry dog or cat food only formulated for birds). To encourage the bird to eat the pellets if they are used to seed you can put the pellets in a dish up high and the seed down low in the cage. Don't starve a bird, but if you let it get just a little hungry it might try the pellets. If your bird likes people food you can also pretend to eat the pellets so they get the idea. Try Roudy Bush or Zupreem, and buy at first from a pet store that will let you return the food if they won't eat... » Read More To be sure your birds are getting good nutrition it's good to feed pellets also (they are the equivalent to dry dog or cat food only formulated for birds). To encourage the bird to eat the pellets if they are used to seed you can put the pellets in a dish up high and the seed down low in the cage. Don't starve a bird, but if you let it get just a little hungry it might try the pellets. If your bird likes people food you can also pretend to eat the pellets so they get the idea. Try Roudy Bush or Zupreem, and buy at first from a pet store that will let you return the food if they won't eat it, and then once you find out what they will eat, then you can buy that cheaper on Amazon. « Show Less
2148625
There could be any number of factors at work there. If it's not set to close at too light a weight on the perch, then my guess would be food quality. If you're using that inexpensive bird seed from the grocery store that is mostly yellow millet, and your neighbors are using higher-quality stuff, they won't visit your feeder except as a last resort. Try going to PetSmart or someplace like that and springing for the good stuff that has lots of black-stripe sunflower seeds, peanuts, and bits of fruit in it. Another factor could be location. Birds don't feel safe eating from a feeder that is right out in the middle of an open space with no nearby trees or shrubs to flee to if necessary.
2042416
This can be fed alone. If you were going to mix it with anything I would mix it with some diced fresh fruit from your grocery store. Make sure to do your research and find out what kind your birds are allowed to eat :)
2168068
Hi Game Lover, Thanks for your question. In response, we always recommend using black oil sunflower seeds for this particular Skinny Squirrel model. Its considered the #1 choice to feed and attract the greatest variety of birds to your feeders. Rich in oil, black oil sunflower seeds give birds the energy they need to live. The thin shell makes it an easy bird seed to open, even for the smaller birds. You'll attract Cardinals, Nuthatches, finches, and a variety of others. If you are going to offer only one type, give black oil sunflower seed a try. Other than that, you can certainly try other types of bird feed however keep in mind that the smaller the pieces, the more thats going to come out of the interior cage, and the easier it will be for squirrels to get (and keep coming back for more).. Hope this helps.. If you have any other questions, just let me know.. Have a blessed day, Mark