How to Take Control of Your Bird Feeder

Short perches like these deter all but the smallest birds.

The backyard bird feeder battle between homeowners and nuisance birds and mammals goes back decades. Unwanted crows, grackles, squirrels, raccoons, mice and more challenge homeowners to search for creative solutions to deterring these creatures while still enticing attractive and melodious songbirds to visit their properties.

Things You'll Need

• Bird feeder
• Squirrel baffles
• Bird seed

Instructions

1. Choose a feeder designed to repel unwanted guests. Platform feeders, where a tray perches on top of a mounting pole, attract large numbers of birds and mammals. The large, flat surface makes it easy for animals to access the seed. More selective feeders encase the seed in a vertical cylinder. These feeders offer various features designed to attract or repel specific types of birds. Metal cages surrounding the cylinder deter large birds and mammals. Small openings and short perches attract finches.

2. Place feeders at least 5 feet off the ground and 5 feet away from potential launch sites to keep squirrels at bay. Various smooth, dome-shaped baffles, installed above and below a feeder, act as a barrier to squirrels and other small mammals.

3. Hang the feeder in a good, safe location. Birds, especially small songbirds, are easy prey for outdoor cats. Feeders placed in open areas, away from shrubs and heavy landscaping, let birds see a potential predator. Birds choose feeders in open locations when available. Placement in these areas also deters mice.

4. Choose seeds less likely to tempt squirrels. Cracked corn, for instance, attracts large, garrulous birds, squirrels and raccoons. Conversely, nyjer thistle seed attracts small birds like goldfinches. Black sunflower seeds, with their thin shells, attract a wide range of birds. Striped sunflower has a thick shell and deters house sparrows and blackbirds.

Tips & Warnings

• Metal squirrel baffles are the best to install because they resist scratching. Plastic baffles can, over time, develop grip as they are worn down by squirrel claws.

• Entice persistent squirrels away from feeders by placing cracked corn on the ground or and elevated platform some distance from the other feeders. The squirrels will go after the easy food.

• Employees at bird specialty stores are good resources for further questions.

• Moldy seed spreads disease among birds. If seed spoils, thoroughly clean and dry the feeder before refilling with fresh seed.

References

• All About birds: Choosing Bird Seed
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: What Can You Do About Squirrels?

Resources

• Wild Birds Forever... Those *!@*#*! Squirrels!