Small bird seed feeder
by
Rod Hamilton
+6
Any designs for a seed dispenser for the small song birds that overwinter here? I've tried several but they seem to get the larger crows and magpies attention too. They chase the smaller birds away. Any ideas how to be selective? Any ideas on how to discourage crows and magpies from my garden? For the first time we've been visited by a blue Jay couple.
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there are seed mixes that should only attract certain birds. Thistle, for instance, is usually for finches and the net feeders only allow small birds to stick their beaks in.
I’ve been feeding birds for years and the best feeders I’ve found for little birds are 2 liter soda bottles with a screw-on perch/dispenseR. Just Google “bird feeder from soda bottle” and you'll Find them available from multiple sources for under $3.00 each. They even Come with a plastic hanger; however the hangerstend to break After while. I just replace the hanger with a wire and it works fine. They last for years - far longer than my expensive feeders!
Try perkypets.com. They offer a wide variety of feeders and ones for 'special needs' like what you're talking about. I got the feeder that hangs inside a 'cage' that is too small for crows, pigeons and magpies to get through. They have to settle for anything that the finches and other little ones allow to fall.
It might be the seed mix you are using. The larger birds like sunflower seeds and larger seeds. See if you can find a mix that doesn't contain those.
Crow can be hard to discourage - I think they like the mental challenge. If your feeder is near the house, you could just try chasing them away a few times because they will be cautious to come onto a porch, balcony, etc. If you use tiny seeds, like millet, then they might not be interested