finchess don't eat from it-help
1945124
I had no luck with this feeder either. Goldfinches ignored it and then squirrel chewed a big hole in it.
1945125
Are you using thistle seed? If not, there's your problem.Take it down and shake it-sometimes the seed gets clumped. It should also be washed and rinsed before using.
1945126
After I put ours out it took about two weeks to get Gold Finch to eat out of it.
1945127
My suggestion is move it to another spot. I had a whistle feeder that was never used (hung there for 2 months) so I moved it about 30 feet and now have finches on it all the time needing to refill it at least once a week. Have since moved it back closer to my house to see the birds better and they followed and still use it sunrise to sunset. Hope this works for you!
1945128
Birds can take some time to adjust to a new feeder. If other established feeders are in the area, we recommend removing them until the finches begin using this feeder regularly. Please feel free to contact us at 1-855-PERKYPET (1-855-737-5973) for additional assistance.
1536087
The first one will. The rest won't go near it, unless you disguise it by scrapping it into crumbs and mixing it with other goodies. Then you have the problem of trying to get the squirrels to eat it but not the birds.
2250758
It sounds like you are doing everything right-- offering a water source and trees and shrubs for shelter. Timing could be the issue here. Birds can be pretty suspicious of anything new, and it will take time before they will eat from the feeder (especially since their natural food sources are becoming available as we get further into spring). Just please make sure you are keeping the seed in the feeder fresh-- maybe keep a little less seed in the feeder and change it every few days until you start to get some visitors. Also, are you seeing Finches at any of your other feeders? If not, you may attract them to your area by planting some milkweed or composite plants.
731806
The upside down feeder does only have small holes in it between the perch holes so the seed doesn't run out except when they are eating. A gold finch is the only bird that hangs upside down and eats. This keeps the sparrows and other birds from eating at this feeder. Although I have seen others try it and some times succeed.
1111323
Hi Grace......at first our birds would come and peck at it and fly away. I thought this is not going to work, but then low and behold they started coming back and figured out how to feed from it. Now we have them all back plus the morning doves, raccoons and squirrels. The spring is too tight to close the doors when the doves and squirrels get on it so we close it at night with a small bungie cord. Hope this helps :)
2250761
What food are you using? Try niger mixed with finch food or layer each type in the feeder.
1809163
Squirrels can be a real problem with any bird feeder. I usually avoid that squirrel problem with this feeder by only using nyjer seed in it. If you use any other seed like sunflower or millet, I can guarantee a squirrel will chew a hole in it.I've used this feeder for years.and have never had a problem. That's not saying that some squirrel won'tcome along and try the nyjer but that is very rare.
2148621
Interesting question.1. If there's plenty of "natural" food, the birds won't go near a feeder.2. One trick is to spread some seed on the ground under the feeder.
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.
3697
Hi, Amy. Good luck with the dried meal worms. We can't keep enough in he feeder during the cold months into early spring. We have noticed a slow down, but they still disappear in a couple of days. If you are a little more adventerous, try LIVE meal worms. The birds go nuts for these. The drawback is that they have to be kept in the fridge but if you're OK with that...a tupperware container with strips of news paper and some holes in the lid works just great. Bluebirds are our biggest consumers but other birds frequently stop by for a snack. Best wishes and good luck!!! alan in MA
597623
Oh yes! All the time!Birds will take their favorites, and the seed that they throw onto the ground gets eaten by other birds.Or in my case it sometimes gets eaten by the dogs or the cats!Jeff, you are exactly right, but I wonder where you are in the US!?I'm in southern Connecticut, Lyme, as in Lyme Disease, which is a tiny town, pop 2000, unless whatshername has her baby, then we'll be 2001!We have had a shortage of canaries (Yellow Finches) lately, we have a thistle seed feeder just for the finches, but they've not come here.The hummingbirds have been drinking 2 cups of sugar water every day though! Oh yes! All the time!Birds will take their favorites, and the seed that they throw onto the ground gets eaten by other birds.Or in my case it sometimes gets eaten by the dogs or the cats!Jeff, you are exactly right, but I wonder where you are in the US!?I'm in southern Connecticut, Lyme, as in Lyme Disease, which is a tiny town, pop 2000, unless whatshername has her baby, then we'll be 2001!We have had a shortage of canaries (Yellow Finches) lately, we have a thistle seed feeder just for the finches, but they've not come here.The hummingbirds have been... » Read More Oh yes! All the time!Birds will take their favorites, and the seed that they throw onto the ground gets eaten by other birds.Or in my case it sometimes gets eaten by the dogs or the cats!Jeff, you are exactly right, but I wonder where you are in the US!?I'm in southern Connecticut, Lyme, as in Lyme Disease, which is a tiny town, pop 2000, unless whatshername has her baby, then we'll be 2001!We have had a shortage of canaries (Yellow Finches) lately, we have a thistle seed feeder just for the finches, but they've not come here.The hummingbirds have been drinking 2 cups of sugar water every day though! « Show Less
2188467
I consider it a waste of money. I have a green cheek conure. I have had it for over a month and she refuses to use it. I have tried using it on the inside and outside of cage. Ha! when I put it on the outside she got her head under the top and shoved it out on the floor.I had to clean seed up off the carpet. I put it back on the inside and she is sitting there right now fussing at me for food in her old feeder. I am ready to throw it out the door. Maybe I can figue a way to use it go a flower pot.Sorry I couldn't help.
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.
2226272
I feed primarily sunflower seeds and get chickadees, nuthatches, and house finches on this feeder. we have starlings here but I have never seen starlings using it.
2191198
Don't have that problem, but it does take birds a few days or a week before they use a new feeder. Perhaps if u r sitting on the porch it scares them away. First put feeder on a branch and slowly bring to porch. They don't like traffic. I have it hanging outside my kit window when I do dishes. They seem to like it under the overhang. Be patient. Parent birds r nesting Good luck. Oh and make sure the see isn't moldy. I opened up a new bag and it was all moldy. The whole shipment was
309924
Go to your favorite store and buy Ultra song bird seed. The birds will eat it all up pretty quickly. It's not the feeder.
35918
Yes. The finches just pull them out the holes. Keep the feeder clean and dry .