Best Kind of Bird Feeder? (roof, Home Depot, Lowes, paint)

[texasfirewheel]

I'd like to get a bird feeder for my back yard. I dont have any trees so would need one that's mounted on a post. I've been looking at the decorative feeders (like gazebos) with squirrel guards; I like their looks but I dont want to get one if they're not practical for birds.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'll have to buy something online so, if you have any links, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

[Panks]

Thats a great idea! especially since its so cold. try the Audubon society website for advice on feeders and they have an online store also.

National Audubon Society

Audubon Marketplace

[texasfirewheel]

Thanks so much, Panx!!!

[mawipafl]

A couple of things to look for is convenience for filling the feeder with seed. Some require a bit of dismantling, and I prefer the type that has either a large covered hole at the top or the roof hinges open. For example, on the Audubon Marketplace link, the tube feeder inside the cage would require unhooking and taking the top off, whereas I'll guess that the roofed ones have a hinged opening for filling.

The other thing to watch for is that there are no small openings in which birds can get stuck. You won't know that until you see the feeder. I got a cheap one once from a department store that had a slit between the roof and the side wall just big enough for a bird to get its head stuck (I did save the bird by the way).

Instead of mounting on a post you could use a shepherd's crook.

Wildbirds Unlimited also has some feeders and accessories available online.
Wild Birds Unlimited Online Shop - Home

eBay is another resource. I like the black oil sunflower seed feeder (although the squirrels do, too, but that's ok for me :-)
Birdfeeder - Black Oil Sunflower Seed Bird Feeder - Gr - eBay (item 250100362779 end time Dec-20-08 13:34:46 PST)

If you had a multi-hook shepherd's crook you could try different kinds of feeders. Goldfinch, for example, enjoy thistle which is a specialty feeder (tube-type with very small holes). Sparrows like plain old seed (just about any feeder will do although the sparrows are mostly ground feeders). Cardinals and bluejays like black oil sunflower and cracked corn.

[texasfirewheel]

Thanks, mawi! The shepherd's crook is an interesting thought.

I was looking at this feeder on eBay. Do you think it would be safe for the birds? I found a matching squirrel guard elsewhere on the internet. I dont mind squirrels but I dont want to invite any more of them into my yard than necessary:

Ultimate Bird Feeder...perfect christmas gift! - eBay (item 270317038777 end time Dec-22-08 13:06:07 PST)

[Poltracker]

Originally Posted by texasfirewheel

Thanks, mawi! The shepherd's crook is an interesting thought.

I was looking at this feeder on eBay. Do you think it would be safe for the birds? I found a matching squirrel guard elsewhere on the internet. I dont mind squirrels but I dont want to invite any more of them into my yard than necessary:

Ultimate Bird Feeder...perfect christmas gift! - eBay (item 270317038777 end time Dec-22-08 13:06:07 PST)

That one is seriously overpriced IMO. You can get a nice red cedar feeder for about $50-60. The post can be had from Home Depot for about $25.

My last feeder (destroyed by IKE) was red cedar, gazebo type and lasted for almost 17 years. It was mounted on a galvanized steel post (painted), away from overhanging branches and lines. The squirrels could not get up to it on the slippery post and were relegated to leftovers dumped on the ground by the birds.
One warning, birds can go through a whole lot of birdseed so you want to maximize you're interior space to load it up. Otherwise you will be refilling it daily.

[texasfirewheel]

Thanks, poltracker. I wondered about the birdseed. I've seen some types where you spread the seed all over the base of the open feeder and a small ridge around the entire base is supposed to protect the seed from being blown around by the wind. There are so many of those types of feeders that I guess they're popular, but I wonder how well they work at keeping the seed up off the ground.

[Coldjensens]

My dad has about 20 or 30 of them in his yard. One thing I learned from watching him. Get feeders with large hoppers. The small ones have you filling all the time.


We got some wonderful feeders in an Amish town in Ohio, or Indiana. (Forget which) They were hand made, and beautifully designed. One looks like a log cabin the other like a lighthouse.

They do nto have squirril guards but those are very easy to make.

[texasfirewheel]

Thanks! I'm wondering about the practicality of feeders like the one in this link. It looks like the seed would be blown around -- on the ground or wherever. Have you had experience with these types of feeders?


http://www.backyardbird.com/gatehouseblue.html

[Poltracker]

Something like this one would work well. It has 12 lb hopper. with glass panes between the arches and a tray around the edge for the seed dispersal.

Garden Treasures at Lowe's: Cedar Pavilion