Is there any way to keep large birds like Starlings from entering the box? I have an old version, &amp; the Starlings have totally taken over.
884391
I don't know because they have not used mine. Mine are shared by a squirrel and the smaller birds. My husband was feeding the squirrel before we got the bird feeders and still likes to watch him too.
992152
My observation is yes. That was also a problem we had. They would clean out everything in minutes with our older feeders. The downside to this feeder is that if several smaller birds try to feed at once, the spring mechanism allows the assembly to migrate downwards and even they can't feed until one or more give up and then the assembly moves back up. The blackbirds and starlings are very persistent and try and try to get at the seed and may get a morsel now and then, but they certainly don't deplete this feeder like tradional ones.
1380182
You could. This is the first year I've used this box, and had baby bluebirds fledge and the sparrows didn't bother it at all, yes they would check it out, peak inside but would never go in. I've always had sparrows bothering my regular boxes and entering.
190346
Most starlings will be too large to fit into this feeder. Chickadees and other birds of similar size will fit well and enjoy the feeder.
2144966
We didn't, but you do have that option. The hole is smoothed out so it will not hurt the bird when they get in the hole. We have a lot of little sparrows, wrens, chickdees and oriole so we wanted to make sure no blackbirds and larger birds were able to get in there.
132730
Mine feeder is never kept full all the time. How can it be. Birds keep coming as the contents of the feeder diminishes until it reaches the level at which the birds cannot get to the remaining seeds. I don't see how birds can get "stuck" in the feeder under any conditions.
1195542
The gold finches did not eat from my upside down feeder either. I called Cornell University and they told me that the birds didn't like me. Anyway, I do not understand after years of gold finches eating from this type of feeder why they are not using it, either. Frustrating, isn't it? Carla in PA
1458529
Have you tried feeding them? I finally bought peanuts in shells.they don't eat the bird food now. "You can't beat Mother Nature."
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.
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.
945110
I have had mine down before the Wisconsin winter set in way before, to keep birds from flying into the window, works fine no problems, I have spacers between the bottom of the screen and window so when birds fly into the window they have a bit of airspace between the screen and window.
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!
127284
No, and they don't need it. The bluebird boxes we have are deep and look just like this one, the birds fill up the inside. you can find some bird cams insideboxes on YouTube to see how they do it. it's a good box.
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.
2148627
The birds came to mine as soon as I put it up in the same spot I had one before. Did you try adjusting the lever for the tray? Mine is on the second slot from the top. It does take awhile for birds to realize it's there. Unfortunately, the deer sometimes eat all the sunflower seeds before the birds do.
2103172
The larger birds definitely have more problems. I see some large woodpeckers, jays on it but they struggle. I would probably look for a feeder with more of a long open base. Hope that helps.
361807
It doesn't affect the birds...I use minds to warn off rabbits and squirrels...the birds still come within the area where the boxes covers...