Can I put thistle seed into this? I want to attract smaller birds and deter greckles which are swarming the tube feeder i currently use
891595
I put thistle in this feeder. I had to take my feeders down so many starlings and grackles were hogging all the food and fighting with the other birds. I was so disappointed. I wish there was a way to deter them. I love seeing the finches. I'm not sure if the "nasty" birds will still come to this feeder or not with only thistle in it...I'm not sure if they are attracted to thistle.
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.
891597
I had a small finch get it's head stuck in this feeder. I wouldn't recommend using it to attract small birds.
891598
look online especially birdfeedersnmore.com. The birds that like thistle are small, like gold finches, and timid. You can put thistle in the Perky Pet feeder but it may get eaten up quickly by other types of birds, so how fast do you want to refill? Location is important too; research online. BTW I should tell you that I have a sock type thistle feeder that hardly gets used!
635445
This feeder is designed to hold nyger seeds which attract finches. I use it mainly to feed goldfinches because they just grab unto the mesh to eat. If you want to attract sparrows get a feeder that holds sunflower seeds or a mixture with mostly sunflower seeds. If you want to discourage big birds, search for "small birds feeders", and you will see some caged feeders that will let a small bird in and keep others out. Better yet, buy a few feeders and feed them all.
234371
Only if it has a place to hang. What makes it work is if the cage has squirrel weight on it making it drop down to cover seed ports. I have the large feeder with the cardinal ring and this one. This one the flickers, creepers and blue jays particularly enjoy because they can hang on the cage in any position. Brome, to me, is the best feeders on the market! We live in a rural forested area and its not unusual to have up to 30 - 40 squirrels trying to do anything and everything to get in the feeders. They even wrap theirselves around the cardinal ring and nap. Their only success is to do a flying assault to knock seed out on the ground.
2250759
this feeder and have tons of birds with no squirrels. Are you using the right type of seed? The holes are smaller so you need something like finch food or thistle seed so the birds can get it. Hope it works out for you!
4103
I have a mix of seeds and the same thing happens when the bigger birds knock out the seeds they don't want to get to what they do want. The answer is to have several feeders with a different kind of seed in each one. Someday I might do that, but for now, I just watch the squirrels, chipmunks, , doves, and other ground feeders enjoy the spoils!
1017766
I don't think so. The slits are very small, just enough room for a thistle or two to be taken at a time. Be aware this is an upside down feeder for goldfinches only. I have found it to be a waste of money as I have only had one or two visits occasionally. They just have not taken to it.
1502108
It does not have a screen like thistle feeders normally have so I guess it is mainly for regular bird seed.
962281
I use it for my African Grey, so don't see why not. The next size up is so big - size of a large cage when you put the seed catchers up. I sold it and bought this size one.
698345
No, it's just for the smaller birds. The problem I have with this feeder is the seed gets wet way to easy when it rains and then clogs up the works. I spend way to much time cleaning the darn thing out. It needs a rain top on it.
1110863
I do not know...I use black sun flower seeds, and there is waste from the birds picking at it..But I love this feeder because it is almost squirrel proof....It is such a bargain in cost...try it...
2228977
This product is only for birds. I had to ship mine back b/c this seed is not for human consumption.
1738927
Sure, but you would have to have a way to put seed in it as needed for the birds. We just love ours and our family here for Christmas thought it was amazing.
597621
Sure but that's what birds do. Don't blame the feeder. We added a small squirell guard just below the feeder and get a lot of mileage from our seed.
1954128
No, the mesh is much too poruous to handle the thistle. It works well for sunflower, birds have to "work" bit to get a them.
2275559
I have tried mixing some shelled peanuts in the regular bird seed mix. They are a bit too big and do get stuck. Smaller seeds work better. This is an excellent feeder! It works very well and squirrels can't get to the seeds since it closes with their weight.
705831
Nope, no seeds falling out. I live in Windy Wyoming and the wind usually blows thistle out of feeders. But not this one. You can also purchase a tray that screws onto the bottom of this feeder. It catches whatever the birds pull out! Great feeder - better than the plastic ones or a sock!
2226886
I buy several types of seeds to attract various birds. I also use one that has a mixture of seeds, nuts and dried fruit. You can use mostly any type of bird seed that the stores sell. Love these bird feeders!