I live in Manhattan and don't know if we have little birds. And if we do what to feed them. Black Oil seeds seem expensive. I would hang from window
1040419
I have these hanging on my house as well as on a pole, they are cute and draw the birds nicely. I have used sunflower, safflower and plain wild bird seed in these little feeding balls and all three work fine...I imagine if you hang them and just put wild bird seed mix in it you will see an assortment of birds visiting...good luck!:)
1040420
I didn't see little birds here until I put these feeders out. Home depot sells big bags of the seeds for $20, that will last all year. These feeders are my favorite...
597624
Oh sure. Birds always do that regardless of the feeder. I've even seen them go out of their way to pick out items from a suet cake and drop them. All you can do is try to stock as much of the "favorite food" of the majority of the birds that visit your feeder. That might limit the variety of birds though. My chickadees only seem to want peanuts or corn while the finches eat only millet. Most of the niger seeds and sunflower seeds go over the side but the towhees and squirrels police those up off the ground. All just "part of the show."
1767068
I have mainly starlings (one type of blackbird) in my area. I used only black sunflower seeds, and they have not taken over the feeder. It may be that the perching area is smaller (which is one of the recommendations for keeping away blackbirds. They also do not like to feed under anything, so when mine was hanging under a poch ceiling, they never came to the area. As for seeds, the sites I read suggest safflower seeds (very hard) as the one type of seed blackbirds will not eat. Not sure what other birds like it. here's one good link for more info: http://springfieldil.wbu.com/content/show/76860 Good luck! I have mainly starlings (one type of blackbird) in my area. I used only black sunflower seeds, and they have not taken over the feeder. It may be that the perching area is smaller (which is one of the recommendations for keeping away blackbirds. They also do not like to feed under anything, so when mine was hanging under a poch ceiling, they never came to the area. As for seeds, the sites I read suggest safflower seeds (very hard) as the one type of seed blackbirds will not eat. Not sure what other birds like it. here's one good link for more info:... » Read More I have mainly starlings (one type of blackbird) in my area. I used only black sunflower seeds, and they have not taken over the feeder. It may be that the perching area is smaller (which is one of the recommendations for keeping away blackbirds. They also do not like to feed under anything, so when mine was hanging under a poch ceiling, they never came to the area. As for seeds, the sites I read suggest safflower seeds (very hard) as the one type of seed blackbirds will not eat. Not sure what other birds like it. here's one good link for more info: http://springfieldil.wbu.com/content/show/76860 Good luck! « Show Less
1886500
Whenever I feed the outside birds I just put it on a dirt part of the ground. I always put it near to all the other food or seeds that I put on the ground. My experience has been that the birds that like it will find it when you are already feeding other birds in that same area. Hopefully this helps.:)
2027713
Put lots of seed on the bottom portion of the birdfeeder. Just pour a few cups.
1592636
I would check with the Audubon society on what seed mixture is best for your area. I know the Home Depot near me carries seed blends for the region I live in. The openings in the bottom screen of the feeder are small enough to hold most seeds while still letting rain drain through. Very sturdy 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!
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.
917360
The weight which closes the access to the seed is adjustable, so you would just need to adjust it to a light enough weight so the roof rats cannot get to the seed. Hopefully the rats are heavier than the birds you want to feed. I think that they should be.
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.
2191197
I just use a mix of seeds in my feeder. We only get small birds in our feeder ( larger birds cause it to close). Maybe the smaller birds don't like the bigger seeds.
640721
I put a heavy cup hook into the eave of the house and hung it fit in front of my kitchen window. I really enjoyed watching the birds fly up close so I could watch them. I didn't like the shells and seeds and other mess underneath the window but it was worth it to see and here them. Make sure the hook is solidly into the wood so it won't drop.
825873
Small chickadees seem to be the best. Openings too small for Cardinals. Grackles and Starlings might try but I have not had any problrms with them over the past winter.
1905797
I add regular bird seed to my window bird feeder. I enjoy seeing the birds eat in front of my breakfast nook window.
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.
1676442
You certainly could but the holes are so large, I think you'd go through seed too fast for my budget. I try to encourage the birds to clean up the ground after themselves but that hasn't always worked.
1767065
I only have cardinals, bluejays, nuthatches, chickadees, woodpeckers, indigo buntings, rose breasted grosbeaks, red and yellow finches, mourning doves, bluebirds, and hummingbirds coming here in Western PA. I use mixed, shelled cardinal food from the hardware store and they all love it. I also feed thistle and a seed that looks a lot like trail mix in my other feeders. We also have owls, whippoorwill, hawks, etc. We live in the PA WILDS region of the state.Penn State has a blackbird problem and they use what sounds like percussion bombs to scare them off. Good Luck.