Finally a feeder that keeps starlings out

cubix

Like a lot of peeps on here the feeders in the garden were getting emptied on a daily basis with the local starling gang doing a hit and run. Had tried various things to try and put them off, bought some of the Aldi caged units but turned out not to be deep enough from cage to inside feeder. Over the last couple of weeks there has been tears and laughter. ITs amazing the lenghts starlings will go to but the latest purchase has more or less stumped them. Quite funny watching them over the last couple of days going bananas trying to figure out why they could get in before but now they cant. There is one or two of the 20+ family who at full stretch get their beak in but for the small amount they are getting I think its more hassle than its worth. Plus I have simply laced a cable tie over these couple of squares which should make it 100%

I know plenty have said just let them feed but between going through 3 to 4 times as much feed and the smaller ones not getting a look in. In the space of a day blue/coal tits are back.

Got these two at the local garden centre (ashbrook N2) packaging was generic so most likely coming in from china and repackaged by the wholesaler.
While not cheap when compared to the aldi's they are half the price of some online shops and do the job.

Seed feeder:€20
Peanut feeder €15

Rainbowsend

You could have done the same with a length of chicken wire around the normal feeders, it is easy to mould to any shape you like and the little birds can fit through the holes just the same!

cubix

Had done all that and the place was starting to look like hobo town. For small investment pop the lid, refil, hang back up and bobs your uncle;).

BrianD3

I have one of those, it's about half the height of your one though. IIRC it cost more than you paid. Very solid item and does the job of keeping starlings out, plenty of space between the food and the cage etc. It is a wire mesh feeder and I put black sunflower seeds in it. I have a few coal tits visiting constantly and they are going through a serious amount of seed (not eating it, taking it away and hiding it). I'd say they're taking a seed every 5 secs which means the feeder goes from full to empty in the course of a day. Nice to watch.

Dunno about you guys but I don't mind the starling mob eating their fill. They take about 60% of it true enough but theres still some left for the rest of the birds every day. Fecking neighbour's pigeons are a different story

cubix

I think the eating is only half the story its also the mayhem they cause, will take a picture next time.

cubix

cubix wrote: »

I think the eating is only half the story its also the mayhem they cause, will take a picture next time.

I've seen that too but the smaller birds have learned to stay out of their way until they're done

Stoner

i have those feeder and still have the starlings,not as bad as it was but i don't mind them feeding that much, I heard they were declining in number and i felt bad about not feeding them, but they hang upside down and manage to get past the extra bars.

snaps

Also try using 2 flower hanging baskets together to form a ball. then hang the feeders inside the formed ball.

cubix

Also tried that one Snaps;) but my basket holes were too big:(