Will this keep Grackles/Starlings from getting to the seed?
1073583
I have never seen starlings but I'm not sure if they wanted those Niger seeds on the first place.
2148624
We had a problem with the rain getting the bird seed wet and then it caked up so that the seeds behind would not flow down. I put an extension of 3 inches on the roof and that has helped keep the seeds dry. Our squirrels can't get the seeds anymore so that part is working great.
688465
Yes, I put seed down, then cover with the fabric. You can still drop seed on the fabric, but doubt much of the seed would make it through to the ground.
1612659
It has a pretty wide topper on it to keep out rain and snow. We just got ours recently and that has not been an issue yet. The mesh on the sides is small enough that I think it would be difficult for jays or grackles to get their beak in there. We had trouble with crows and another feeder but have not had any issues with this one so far.
1137272
Yes, however you'll have to wait until it is fully established, which can take quite some time. As you may have seen in my original review, these seeds are tiny and they instruct you not to cover them, so they will blow away if you don't keep them wet, and some will get munched by birds so order extra.Hope this helps!Billy
342468
If the birds get near the ground, it may scare them away. Any type of motion near the ground will set it off. If the bird feeder is way up high, then i wouldnt worry about it.
1705441
I personally have not seen any grackles on this feeder. I did see a morning dove actually get on the feeder and get some seed. It didn't stay for long though and took up nearly the entire feeder. I saw it once and then it never came back. The smaller birds definitely like feeder better. They fight over it all the time and it is funny to watch.
1612663
Regrets, but I haven't owned it during a Winter. I have other feeders but unfortunately don't know of any that can feed cardinals but not jays/grackles. In fact I sometimes get a flock of crows which chase everything else away except maybe the squirrels. I think the seed might get wet depending on the angle of the rain and where the feeder is placed -- trees might protect it. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Good luck!
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
1954129
no, the openings are too big. does great with sunflower seed. allows the bird to pull one seed at a time.
151610
IF you have it hanging, it needs to be protected from predators & squirrels; IF it's pole-mounted, as long as the feeder is high enough to keep predators away (& hopefully has a baffle of some sort under it to keep squirrels from climbing up). Also make sure that the seed is good (not moldy). BTW - are you using Black Oil Sunflower Seed? Our Cardinals (as well as numerous other species) love it & are on the feeder constantly. We found that the (usually) super cheap "Wild Bird Seed" has so much filler in it that no one wants it & there's a lot of waste. Many Cardinals & others will ground-feed, as well.Good luck! IF you have it hanging, it needs to be protected from predators & squirrels; IF it's pole-mounted, as long as the feeder is high enough to keep predators away (& hopefully has a baffle of some sort under it to keep squirrels from climbing up). Also make sure that the seed is good (not moldy). BTW - are you using Black Oil Sunflower Seed? Our Cardinals (as well as numerous other species) love it & are on the feeder constantly. We found that the (usually) super cheap "Wild Bird Seed" has so much filler in it that no one wants it & there's a lot of waste. Many Cardinals & others will... » Read More IF you have it hanging, it needs to be protected from predators & squirrels; IF it's pole-mounted, as long as the feeder is high enough to keep predators away (& hopefully has a baffle of some sort under it to keep squirrels from climbing up). Also make sure that the seed is good (not moldy). BTW - are you using Black Oil Sunflower Seed? Our Cardinals (as well as numerous other species) love it & are on the feeder constantly. We found that the (usually) super cheap "Wild Bird Seed" has so much filler in it that no one wants it & there's a lot of waste. Many Cardinals & others will ground-feed, as well.Good luck! « Show Less
576317
It keeps out grackles and starlings. But it also keeps out cardinals. Only small birds can get in.
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.
1461725
There is a spring on the bar the birds lite on so when anything heaver gets on the bar it pulls down and closes the access to the seeds. I have had two of these for a few years. This one I purchased for a Christmas gift for my mom. Even the cheaper ones will close up with to much weight. Watched one try to get into my sisters feeder and it just couldn't do it.
249079
Yeah! Starlings and grackles are too big to land on this feeder. I've had mine over a couple of years and have never seen those birds on it. Haven't seen cardinals on it either. Just the smaller birds. And my area gets LOTS of starlings and grackles and crows!
1461722
No! It's quite entertaining to watch the repeated attempts on the part of the "rats with furry tails" to access the seed to no avail. The only drawback is the frustrated squirrel will often urinate on the feeder. This in no way affects the birds returning to the feeder. I should note that the feeder has an adjustable spring for the closure device that can be set such that bigger birds cannot get into the feeder.
1178539
I have had no problem with the seed keeping dry. The roof appears to protect it pretty well. I have the feeder hanging under my Pine Tree also.