Has anyone had a problem with grackles and/or brown cow birds feeding from this feeder? I'm looking for one that will only attract small birds.
1007832
WE have had this up for a week now and it is a very busy feeder. We have Sparrows, Chickadees and Finches. Only other bird that has landed has been a cardinal, but it is mostly the smaller birds.
1617530
I have mine in a tree by my bluebird house but my birds have not used it. I have an open feeder they will use but a lot of other birds feed in the open ones as well. Maybe I'll try on a post in the open. It doesn't work in the tree.
1573618
Here in northern New Mexico, we get house finches, grosbeaks,scrub jays and titmice. Our local bird expert blends seeds that attract birds. The birds seem to like the blend of small bits....the ground feeders can push it off then eat on the ground, while others happily perch and munch.NOTE: the plastic canister broke after only a few days and must be returned. I have the same feeder with 2 canisters, one over the other. This has proved sturdier (don't know why as it is exactly like the single canister!). Recommend using great care when refilling, as neither of these items is very substantial. That said, the birds flock to them. The circular perch can easily 5-6 birds at a time! Here in northern New Mexico, we get house finches, grosbeaks,scrub jays and titmice. Our local bird expert blends seeds that attract birds. The birds seem to like the blend of small bits....the ground feeders can push it off then eat on the ground, while others happily perch and munch.NOTE: the plastic canister broke after only a few days and must be returned. I have the same feeder with 2 canisters, one over the other. This has proved sturdier (don't know why as it is exactly like the single canister!). Recommend using great care when refilling, as neither of these items is... » Read More Here in northern New Mexico, we get house finches, grosbeaks,scrub jays and titmice. Our local bird expert blends seeds that attract birds. The birds seem to like the blend of small bits....the ground feeders can push it off then eat on the ground, while others happily perch and munch.NOTE: the plastic canister broke after only a few days and must be returned. I have the same feeder with 2 canisters, one over the other. This has proved sturdier (don't know why as it is exactly like the single canister!). Recommend using great care when refilling, as neither of these items is very substantial. That said, the birds flock to them. The circular perch can easily 5-6 birds at a time! « Show Less
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.
825878
Smaller birds can reach the food. Ie grackles and starlings. Blue birds and full grown cardinals had no luck getting into mine. Sqirrels did shake it a wee bit. Better than any feeders except the No-nos.
1078091
Compared to other feeders we have had the fall through is minimal. We have numerous types of birds at our feeders and fine that it is only when the large birds invade such as crackles or cow birds that we have much of a problem and it is still less than any other feeder we have had. Love our No/No feeders!
587748
I don't think crows can cling to the feeder. I use chicken scratch to feed jays and woodpeckers. Helps keep them away from my other feeders.
635444
Yes this does attract small birds, mainly gold finches. You hang from a tree branch. Very durable. You may get larger birds feeding going after the "leftovers" on the ground.
1453930
We have not had a problem with this. We have several bird feeders in our yard, and this is a favorite. The cardinals love this feeder!
309927
If you have few birds, it's not because of the Brome Feeder. It could be several reasons: (1) Not the right bird seed, (2) Too "traffic" area, (3), Not many trees for the birds to feel safe, (4) Not many birds in that location. Not knowing your situation, you might move the feeder, and see if you have the correct seeds for the types of birds in the area. They can be picker eaters, although once all is right, they eat and eat. I love this feeder!
331467
The Cardinals won't go near this bird feeder. I have two feeders and even the smaller birds will hardly touch this feeder, they prefer the standard feeder with an open tray, this one has elongated holes that the birds have to reach through while sitting on a spring loaded perch. The spring loaded perch will not support the larger birds like Cardinals, even when it is set to the maximum weight adjustment.
130906
Many of the feeders that use gravity to fill attract bees. I have about 4 separate feeders this is the ONLY ONE that is not attracting the Yellow Jackets that appear in August in my area. I have year-round Hummers in Washington State and I am buying another one of these. My other feeders are useless until the bees go away. Do invest in a tiny bristle brush for the feeding holes the rest cleans up by hand.
1078094
This feeder is designed to use black oil sunflower seed only. Larger seed, such as striped sunflower will not properly fit through the mess screen. Other smaller seed or seed mixtures with smaller seeds mixed in { such as "no waste" } will sift through the screen and fall to the ground. I have found here in central Michigan {While more expensive} black oil sun flower seed attracts all the types of birds I prefer to to see and feed. At the same time birds that I am not fond of seeing { english sparrows, grackles, black birds, and even blue jays} do not seem to like the black oil seed and thus do no monopolize my feeders. This feeder is designed to use black oil sunflower seed only. Larger seed, such as striped sunflower will not properly fit through the mess screen. Other smaller seed or seed mixtures with smaller seeds mixed in { such as "no waste" } will sift through the screen and fall to the ground. I have found here in central Michigan {While more expensive} black oil sun flower seed attracts all the types of birds I prefer to to see and feed. At the same time birds that I am not fond of seeing { english sparrows, grackles, black birds, and even blue jays} do not seem to like the black oil... » Read More This feeder is designed to use black oil sunflower seed only. Larger seed, such as striped sunflower will not properly fit through the mess screen. Other smaller seed or seed mixtures with smaller seeds mixed in { such as "no waste" } will sift through the screen and fall to the ground. I have found here in central Michigan {While more expensive} black oil sun flower seed attracts all the types of birds I prefer to to see and feed. At the same time birds that I am not fond of seeing { english sparrows, grackles, black birds, and even blue jays} do not seem to like the black oil seed and thus do no monopolize my feeders. « Show Less
1111326
I have had no trouble with birds feeding at this feeder. They looked at it for about a day as they do all new additions to the yard. The squirrels liked it too until I set the tension on the bars to nothing and they can't feed from it any longer. I do get some big birds but they don't seem to be feeder hogs. All my birds like this feeder and it hangs from a huge Oak Tree in our yard and they even feed when it rains.
1778118
Hi, In answer to your question. I have not seen any bird droppings in the feeder, as the food gets towards the bottom, I just dump what few stray seeds are in there and fill with fresh seed. They really are still shy and do not sit inside for long, and I still enjoy this feeder and get lots of birds everyday.
1573617
Here in northern New Mexico, we get house finches, grosbeaks,scrub jays and titmice. Our local bird expert blends seeds that attract birds. The birds seem to like the blend of small bits....the ground feeders can push it off then eat on the ground, while others happily perch and munch. NOTE: the plastic canister broke after only a few days and must be returned. I have the same feeder with 2 canisters, one over the other. This has proved sturdier (don't know why as it is exactly like the single canister!). Recommend using great care when refilling, as neither of these items is very substantial. That said, the birds flock to them. The circular perch can easily 5-6 birds at a time!
341098
Veronica, we have had the same results. Very disappointing. We have had a couple of Ladderback Woodpeckers occasionally feed at it, but it is rare to see any feeding. We even tried two different kinds of feed/paste and it just doesn't work.