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I already feed seeds and nuts in one area of my yard but I wanted to setup a new feeder specifically for Bluebirds:
-- Mealworm or mealworm suet cake feeder
-- Squirrel proof
-- Large bird proof, ideally Sparrow proof but I know I'm asking a lot
If you feed mealworms, how do you do it and where did you get your feeder and worms? I have seen feeders online for $75 but I'd like to buy local and spend less than that if I can.
There is Wild Birds Unlimited and Back Yard Birds. They are very close to each other in the souther part of Durham. There is a Wild Birds Unlimited near TJ's off Kildaire Farm and Cary Parkway. I really like Back Yard Birds - great store!
I like the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Chapel Hill and have had really good luck with the feeders I have bought from them. Southern States has Bluebird Nuggets that bluebirds and lots of other birds seem to like, but I have not had good luck with their feeders. Our squirrels are hoodlums and tear up feeders, but the WBU feeders have held up to the squirrels.
We bought mealworm feeders and suet at Home Depot.
DH built the bird house himself for a few bucks. Painted it. Made more for neighbors. We all had at least one set of bluebirds this year.
But if you wanna buy locally Wild Birds Unlimited has 5-6 stores in the Triangle. There's also Amazon, of course.
If the feeder you have is squirrel proof and large bird proof, would you mind sharing which one you have?
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaPaKoMom
There is Wild Birds Unlimited and Back Yard Birds. They are very close to each other in the souther part of Durham. There is a Wild Birds Unlimited near TJ's off Kildaire Farm and Cary Parkway. I really like Back Yard Birds - great store!
Wild Birds Unlimited is pretty close to my house, I'll try that. Thanks!
If the feeder you have is squirrel proof and large bird proof, would you mind sharing which one you have?
He made them based on measurements and instructions that he found online. Large birds can't get in the small hole. Squirrels? I guess we have very few of them in our neighborhood, we haven't noticed a problem.
We have lots of bluebirds at my house. This past summer our resident bluebird couple had 3 clutches of 4 babies successfully fledge. Although we do have an issue with squirrels at our feeders, I find bluebirds generally only like platform type feeders. do others have success with other types of feeders? We have 2 feeders for them- one is sort of a cup design and the other is more of a platform type and both have roofs over them. They both swing on the same metal stand. bluebirds love the tiny hulled sunflower chips. Seeds have to be hulled for them as their beaks can't break the outer coating. Having a bird bath near by also attracts them. We don't feed mealy worms but I know my former neighbor did and the bluebirds did love them! of course we get other types of birds, too. But I really love them all. The bluebirds rule, though. When they come, most of the other birds tend to scatter.
He made them based on measurements and instructions that he found online. Large birds can't get in the small hole. Squirrels? I guess we have very few of them in our neighborhood, we haven't noticed a problem.
We're certainly not professionals at this.
Are you talking about a nesting box or a feeder? I built a nesting box a couple of weekends ago actually, I'm just looking for a feeder so the big birds and squirrels don't eat it all before the Bluebirds get there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pinkjewel
We have lots of bluebirds at my house. This past summer our resident bluebird couple had 3 clutches of 4 babies successfully fledge. Although we do have an issue with squirrels at our feeders, I find bluebirds generally only like platform type feeders. do others have success with other types of feeders? We have 2 feeders for them- one is sort of a cup design and the other is more of a platform type and both have roofs over them. They both swing on the same metal stand. bluebirds love the tiny hulled sunflower chips. Seeds have to be hulled for them as their beaks can't break the outer coating. Having a bird bath near by also attracts them. We don't feed mealy worms but I know my former neighbor did and the bluebirds did love them! of course we get other types of birds, too. But I really love them all. The bluebirds rule, though. When they come, most of the other birds tend to scatter.
I have a no-shell seed and nut mix in a feeder but never see Bluebirds eat out of it. Although it is a cage feeder, so that could be the issue there.
Sounds like I have to be ok with a lot of loss with a platform feeder if I want to provide food for the Bluebirds.
When you mention mealworms, are you referring to the dry ones of the wet?
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