Does this feeder keep starlings out, or can they reach in far enough to get at the suet?
1950191
I don't have starlings at the feeder, but pileated woodpeckers feed at the suet all the time.
1950192
I have Starlings at my feeder and the chipmunks have figured out they fit inside.
1950193
They can not. Today I did have a Northern Flicker enjoying it. You can keep the harder plastic backing around the suet and only remove the thin film.
1950194
The feeder keeps squirrels out 100%. Starlings come around and can get their beak and head in but the beak is short enough that they can't reach the food very well. Their head is too big also. Starlings become so frustrated that they leave without getting any food. It's just too hard, so they give up. This is the best feeder we have ever had.
1950195
Unfortunately starlings were still able to stick their heads in just far enough to reach the suet in mine. It really needs to be an inch or two larger in diameter. However, to fix it I put the suet a little higher in the cage (put a small piece of wood under it to raise it an inch or less) and then put only one suet cake in it. On the side which had the suet cake I put a piece of wire across each cage square. You could also use small zip ties too. Kind of a pain but it worked very well. My Carolina Wrens zip right through the cage openings on the other side of the feeder and hop over to the suet.
1950196
Unfortunately starlings were still able to stick their heads in just far enough to reach the suet in mine. It really needs to be an inch or two larger in diameter. However, to fix it I put the suet a little higher in the cage (put a small piece of wood under it to raise it an inch or less) and then put only one suet cake in it. On the side which had the suet cake I put a piece of wire across each cage square. You could also use small zip ties too. Kind of a pain but it worked very well. My Carolina Wrens zip right through the cage openings on the other side of the feeder and hop over to the suet. Unfortunately starlings were still able to stick their heads in just far enough to reach the suet in mine. It really needs to be an inch or two larger in diameter. However, to fix it I put the suet a little higher in the cage (put a small piece of wood under it to raise it an inch or less) and then put only one suet cake in it. On the side which had the suet cake I put a piece of wire across each cage square. You could also use small zip ties too. Kind of a pain but it worked very well. My Carolina Wrens zip right through the cage openings on the other side of the feeder and hop over to the... » Read More Unfortunately starlings were still able to stick their heads in just far enough to reach the suet in mine. It really needs to be an inch or two larger in diameter. However, to fix it I put the suet a little higher in the cage (put a small piece of wood under it to raise it an inch or less) and then put only one suet cake in it. On the side which had the suet cake I put a piece of wire across each cage square. You could also use small zip ties too. Kind of a pain but it worked very well. My Carolina Wrens zip right through the cage openings on the other side of the feeder and hop over to the suet. « Show Less
1950197
We don't have starlings to contend with, so can't answer that. Blue Jays that we have plenty of, and they seem to be discouraged in getting the suit. Hope it stays that way. Still very much squirrel proof - those we have plenty of here.
1950198
Smaller bird can fit inside. Large ones can only reach at certain angles.Squirre cannot get at it at all.
75123
I think you will be fine with this feeder. Any bird other than a woodpecker that uses this feeder has a very dificult time which keeps the non woodpecker use very low. It's the European Starlings that i have trouble with using the cage-like suet feeder.
608780
If your feeding birds with it, then I'm sure raccoons will try to get it. I have them here in the Pacific Northwest, and they DON"T get into them.....Just keep it up high and mount it on a side of a building. Something slick on the sides. THEY ARE A GREAT DEAL FOR THE MONEY,BOUGHT 4 OF THEM....
1063324
We live in an urban area, so downy woodpeckers are the only type here, and they visit the feeder. But the real entertainment is watching other birds like sparrows and starlings trying to get to the suet. Some amazing feats of flying. They sometimes succeed!
314215
Well, the base is deep enough (actually birds can walk in there) that only a few seeds fall to the ground but the same birds eat them after that. Besides I covered half of the openings so there's a controlled seed flow. My real problem is with a pigeon that knows there are seeds on the ground at any given time, it eats the seeds and leaves me with droppings. Other than that, I like this feeder very much.
499905
I have had a bad experience with starlings and grackles sticking their head and long beaks inside the small squares and devouring the suet cakes in about 1/2 hour! It was amazing watching these aggressive birds figure out how to hang on to the bottom of the cage. Blue Jays have the same long beak and I am sure they will find a way into the cage. I actually decided to return the cage but received a credit from Amazon instead.
883287
No it doesn't come out, but the top folds back, and you insert two squares of suet. We love it, and so do the birds. No large birds get into it, just the small ones. Buy and enjoy!
30573
The reason that we bought this feeder is to provide a feeder for smaller birds where the larger birds can not get to the feed. So far it has worked perfectly. Blue Jays and other large birds have not been able to feed at this feeder. I have not seen any Cardinals feeding at it either but we don't have that many Cardinals feeding at our Yankee Flipper feeder either.
1846979
Only one side comes all the way out. We love the feeder and if you remove the sides all the seed will fall out. This holds a lot of bird food and if I had more money for seed it would be full more often. Sometimes the wind will blow the top open but really no problem.
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.
1606645
Starlings get into mine. They sit on the perch and scoop out the seed onto the ground where the pigeons eat it. But they usually prefer the suet feeder.
825877
Just lately having trouble with grackles. Yes they can reach in and get food. Also the squirrels are hanging on and reaching in. Have to mix red pepper flakes in again to keep squirrels away. The cardinal has trouble the male more than female. He does slot of fluttering trying to get seeds, she hangs on the side and reaches in calmly. Chipmunk fits in and fills up. Hope this helps!
992565
I have never seen a chipmunk on this suet feeder. They have not been able to outsmart the fact they must hang upside down. Now the starlings are another story. Now and then there will be a couple of very agile starlings who can manage to hang upside down and eat the suet for about 1-2 minutes at a time.
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!
1273137
It's no problem for our woodpeckers (red belly and downy). It's the best suet feeder we've had and we've had about all of them. Note, starlings are not a problem for us, but the young red wing black birds (look like large brown sparrows) have learned to get in. Also the BLASTED brown headed cow birds. But since this feeder is the best we've come across so far, we still use it and we DO recommend.
966361
I have had no trouble yet, it is in an area that we see outside our window and have nuthatches mainly going in for the suet. The raccoons just dismantle it and I needed to modify so they would stay out of it.
1694608
The sparrows are the largest ones that can get in to it. Mostly chickadees and it will keep out the squirrels. They tried and finally gave up.