We're trying to keep blackbirds out, yet feed cardinals, bluebirds and finches. Is this a good one to get?
2083167
We didn't change the original settings, the black birds are trying to get the seed sometimes by flapping their wings to keep the feeder open. You can change the settings to close with a lighter weight. Actually bluebirds are as big as the grackles.
2083168
I have not tried the spring adjustment that is supposed to do this but think it should work but the squirrels HATE it :-)
2083169
This is the smaller version of the large squirrel buster and works very well in keeping undesirable birds and squirrels from the seeds. Because it is smaller you will wind up filling it up more often than the larger model.
2083170
I love my feeder and it's daily visited by cardinals, blu jays, woodpeckers, doves, but to tell you the truth I haven't seen any blackbirds around. Sorry because I cannot really answer your question.
2083171
Yes, however blackbirds are like crows once they find a food source , they respond to shoo! shoo!. Small firecrackers or a shot with the old Daisy Red Rider(The Daisy will not kill or hurt them, only annoy, soon as they hear the "pop" they take flight) The cardinals, blue birds and finches have a short memory and will return to your feeder.
2083172
Blackbirds are pretty big so they may be too heavy for it. However we do not have that bird so I coould not quarantee it.
2083173
I have mine set to feed cardinals but so far no larger bird. If you want to feed bluebirds they love suet with mealworm or peanut suet. The only time I see a blue bird is when I have that out. I don't try to feed bluejays since they are aggressive toward other birds. The one you are asking about, I have seed cardinal eat from it but it's hard for them. the 1024 is better because it comes with a cardinal ring when make it easier for them to eat. The finch feed only feeds finches and no wasted seed. Of course thistle is the only seed that should go in in it. Finches love it.
2083174
Of the birds mentioned, I have only seen cardinals (occasionally) and finches using mine. I get finches of all kinds, titmice, chickadees, downy woodpeckers and some sparrows. Blackbirds haven't been a problem, but I don't get any bluebirds. (I'm not near a meadow.)
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.
1573612
I get some pretty healthy cardinals as well as yellow warblers, finches, titmouse, wrens and blue jays. I'm thinking of getting another.
876977
Yes,I have Cardinals come every day,they like to feed from the tray but us the perches often when there is no more seed in the tray,this is the best bird feeder on the market,have given them as housewarming gifts and every one gets enjoyment watching the birds.
939023
I does have very small openings for small birds and should keep the big birds out. I actually had to cut a few bigger hole, so that the cardinals could get in to eat.
1535521
Feeder has worked well -- little spillage and the seed stays dry. Have been refilling it from the top all summer and the nyjer seed at the bottom seems to be OK. I plan to dump it out and check before refilling for the winter but I don't expect to have to throw out the bottom seed. Finches eat from it but so do other small birds. If you want to restrict feeding to only finches, buy an upside down feeder (holes are below the perches, not above). Took the finches a day or two to get the hang of it but they really do feed hanging upside down and no other birds do this so all the nyjer seed in this type of feeder goes to finches.
1850658
I wondered the same about larger birds being attracted to the feeder. It is always covered with smaller birds, (finches, nuthatches, titmouse) but now the cardinals have joined in and feed from it daily along with various smaller types of woodpeckers.
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.
2056087
Can't imagine it not working for any bird. I have canaries and finches. They took to it instantly. Cuts down on the mess but not completely. I like that it helps keep their food clean. I have bought four of them, if that speaks for anything. I would definetly recommend it.
1537797
I dont have cardinals in my neck of the woods, so I cannot tell you for sure. But we do have robins and towhees at the large end of the spectrum, and all manner of finches, chickadees and sparrows at the small end. All of them like to use this feeder, but the larger stellers jays, crows and other nuisances seem to stay away. It isn't large enough to accommodate them - and that's a good thing. To avoid marauding raccoons, I take the feeder in at night and put it up first thing in the morning. Hope this helps.
1280661
We have mostly sparrows that get in to the feeder at the moment, but not having had it that long, I'm not sure. We will get Cardinals later on, so will have to see if they can get in through the holes. The feeder is wonderful, and may have to get another one, as we have a smaller one, but the birds ignore it. It might be worth trying it, as other small birds would love it anyway.
1063327
Our bird species are limited here in suburban Chicago, but we have as regular a downy woodpecker and occasionally a Red-bellied woodpecker and every so often a Northern Flicker. Other birds that use this feeder that we enjoy are a Nuthatch and a Black Capped Chickadee. What you attract also depends on the type and quality of suet cakes you use, too. I've seen more recently sparrows will attempt to hover long enough under it to get a snack, but the few that do don't make much of a dent. It's a good quality feeder, we enjoy the birds that use it and we recommend it.
322352
Blackbirds love all the seeds. They are definably a pest just like the squirrels and I have to run them off continually. On this feeder you will have squirrel problems. The birds love the feeder but the squirrels will wrap themselvesaround the feeder and eat all the seed. I bought a squirrel proof feeder and hang both of them together which helps keep the squirrels away because I keep this feeder with a small amount of feed on the bottom and the squirrels have stop bothering the feed.
127284
No, and they don't need it. The bluebird boxes we have are deep and look just like this one, the birds fill up the inside. you can find some bird cams insideboxes on YouTube to see how they do it. it's a good box.
249077
yes. they try to hold on, but are too heavy, so lose interest quickly. These feeders are specifically for smaller birds because of this. My goldfinch, wrens, even cardinals feed from it.
331465
Yes! I have one with sunflower seed and one with nut and berry from Walmart..Sometimes I have 12 cardinals on my deck at the same time..Since Sept. When I bought them, I'm also squirrel free :(.. I feed them also with squirrel mix, but they can't figure out how to get into the feeders..They slide off when they mount the top..LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! our two feeders..
698344
I use two of these feeders to keep the large black birds and squirrels out, the cardinals seem to be able to use these feeders, have not seen any woodpeckers on these, we use suet cakes for woody and peanuts on the ground for blue jays. These are very nice feeders