Need help

[srobb]

I know this could go on a different forum, but I knew it would get the most attention from my nature friends here. I have a big problem with black birds right now eating me out of house and home and taking away from the birds I want to attract. What can I do?? I got one of the feeders with an adjustable, weighted perch, but even that did not help. There are some of the black birds still light enough to land and not close it.

I know Lowe's had some other feeders with a mesh around the tube and am thinking about getting one of those. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[paulnj]

Well if they are indeed blackbird or grackles, they will soon migrate through for the most part. But if they are starlings... get a pellet gun ;)

I have never had a problem with blackbirds, but starlings have been at my feeders. I live in a condo, so can't do much about them.

http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/caged_bird_feeders.asp

http://birding.about.com/library/bld...largebirds.htm

http://www.drollyankees.com/retailerresults.cfm

http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTP...asp?SKU=DY-SDC

lowes sells cheaper made feeders but.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...454&lpage=none

You came to the right place

[srobb]

I will try to make a better id on the black birds. I can tell you that they will swell their whole bodies when they are making their call and they seem to have a greenish, irridescent cast to the feathers around the neck.

The one feeder from Lowe's is one I had looked at, but bought the weighted one instead. Looks like I will be taking that one back to exchange for the caged tube one. I knew you would come through at least.

[paulnj]

starling.. the scum of the bird world ;)

http://bailey.aros.net/nature/images...20Starling.jpg

[srobb]

Well. looks like I may have both. There are some around that look like that. The others are definitely black. the greenish cast I referred to appears when they move around.

[jfelbab]

Well. looks like I may have both. There are some around that look like that. The others are definitely black. the greenish cast I referred to appears when they move around.

Not sure what species you want to attract but Tube Feeders are difficult for some of the larger birds to use. I typically fill a couple large tube feedeers with black oil sunflower seed and get tons of colorful finches, cardinals, woodpeckers, nut hatches and no Blue Jays or Starlings.

[paulnj]

common grackle

http://www.purplemartin.org/species/grackle.html

and a close second in the unwanted bird list. The cowbird(cowbirds are parasitic in that they lay eggs in other birds nests)

http://www.outtakes.com/birds/cowbird.html

[srobb]

Have made the decision to exchange. I still had the grackles and such on the feeder yesterday so will be taking that one back to trade for one of the caged tube feeders. As far what I want to attract; anything but the grackles, starlings and bluejays would be nice, jflebab. I already have a suet feeder,dedicated finch feeder and a hummingbird feeder. I still have two regular feeders in the house, but will not place them back out until the unwanted birds are gone.

[jfelbab]

While Cardinals prefer tray feeders they still frequent a tube feeder,



woodpeckers like the tube feeder too.

[srobb]

I know it may not be a great pic, but these are my two oroiginal feeders. They would both be emptied in a day by the grackles and such. I have retired them temporarily until I get this problem under control. I have had decent luck with the suet feeder. Not a whole lot on the finch feeder yet, but that could take a little while. Same thing on my hummer feeder.

[paulnj]

Oh yeah, those will definately go empty fast from an onslaught of larger birds. The caged feeder route should solve that issue for the most part.

[srobb]

I sure hope so, Paul. If this one does work, I may just invest in another one sometime. I want to draw in as many lil birds as I can. I am really hoping to see some finches soon.

[paulnj]

As in goldfiches.. the NJ STATE BIRD?

here is cool read about them

http://www.shawcreekbirdsupply.com/a...finch_info.htm

BTW... kentucky is at the end of their breeding range

http://www.50states.com/bird/goldfinc.htm

want to know where they have been????

http://gbbc.birdsource.org/gbbcApps/...S-KY&year=2006

[jfelbab]

As in goldfiches.. the NJ STATE BIRD?

here is cool read about them

http://www.shawcreekbirdsupply.com/a...finch_info.htm

BTW... kentucky is at the end of their breeding range

http://www.50states.com/bird/goldfinc.htm

want to know where they have been????

http://gbbc.birdsource.org/gbbcApps/...S-KY&year=2006

Hey Paul, the goldfinch is one of my favorites. I love watching them "yellow up" in the spring. I live in the country on the edge of a natural woods. My house runs into it and my deck is shaded by large 70 foot trees. I have tube feeders hung there full of black oil sunflower seed and the goldfinches just love my diner. I typically have every hole filled with a goldfinch and dozens waiting for a perch during the spring. They are quite tame and some have even stayed on the feeders while I bring them down to refill. I'll try to capture a few pics this spring. I LOVE these goldfinches. They are so bright and cheerful.

[srobb]

Well, the new feeder went up yesterday. Hopefully this will solve my dilemma. I watched for a couple of hours after putting it up and did not see any of the big birds try to get to it. It did not take long for the chickadees and titmice to start on it though.

i did not know that we were the edge of their breeding area. I do know they are around the state since I have seen some on finch feeders in other places. Guess we'll see how much luck I will have.

[Kaelastreet]

Any chance of a picture of the 'black birds'. Though they be a nuisance to you, they maye be a rarity for others.

We get big old crows around here, but they are welcome.
Swap you, a picture of my old crows for one of your Black Birds...

Kizz

[swmdrayfan]

Swap you, a picture of my old crows for one of your Black Birds...

Kizz

...and a Cardinal to be named later.

[srobb]

Well, things are going pretty good with the new feeder. The grackles and such are still around, but not as many as before. They will get on the outside mesh and try to get some seed. I don't think they are very successful at it. They at least have not been able to empty it yet. Meanwhile, I am seeing birds I have not seen before at the feeders. Hopefully I will be able to get some pics.

[paulnj]

Glad to here the feeder seems to be working out. The migration is on, so you will see all kinds of birds passing though