In my ongoing attempt to discourage starlings from using the hanging feeders,has anyone used the squirrel buster type of feeder? (the sort that has a sleeve that cover the ports when something heavy lands on the perches),would a starling be heavy enough to activate it I wonder?
Rachel
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Hi Rachel
I have never tried a squirrel buster type of feeder for starlings, but I doubt one would be heavy enough to activate the drop and close mechanism. It's possible there may be an adjustable one that you can set for less weight, but then it might close for robins or sparrows.
Quite a few of us on here have the CJ Guardian type feeder. Here is a picture of one but it was discontinued and a newer model was made available: http://www.everything4gardenbirds.co.uk/mealworm-feeders/mealworm-feeder-guardian/prod_190.html
They come in mealworm or suet pellet type or they can have a peanut or seed type feeder in the centre. They mount on a pole or hang.
It is guaranteed to keep out starlings. My lot can't get in and boy have they tried, .....and tried, .....and tried.
Best wishes Chris
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Hi Woodpecker
I do already have a Guardian feeder.It does keep the starlings out but the other birds don't use it much either!My feeder was bought as a seed feeder,I had so much trouble with it I threw it out but kept the guardian bit.I bought a mealworm feeder to go in it and filled it with seed.As the guardian now had no hanger I attached a hanging basket chain to it.I have also now removed the 'umbrella' cover from the mealworm feeder as I think this may put off some birds.When I did this it left a hole at the top of the guardian and one clever starling managed to wriggle his way in so I have now put some wire across the gap!Still no takers really though it is a quiet part of the year.The juvenile starlings have been hanging on it wondering why they cannot get to the food an inch from their beaks!How much does a starling weigh I wonder? Sparrows would probably be the heaviest bird to use a feeder,the robin etc would eat from the ground.Rachel
Hi Rachel,
We seem to have a lot of divided opinion on these guardian feeders, and it really does seem to depend on the species of birds in your garden. I had one and persevered with it for months. As Woodpecker says, the starlings try but can't get in, so they are good for that. The only bird to enter mine was a robin - once. The sparrows investigated but decided against it, and nothing else went anywhere near so I gave up with it. I think if you have a lot of tits then they are successful, but if not, you struggle.
I doubt a starling is anywhere near heavy enough to activate one of those squirrel buster things. Birds are extremely light.
Cheers, Linda.
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I have read somewhere that you can adjust the setting to stop starlings but still allow the smaller birds.
Have just bought a new Guardian seed feeder (4 port) and a sparrow and blue tit used it within the first hour but as yet have had no starlings to test it out!
My Squirrelbuster seed feeder closes up when a starling lands on the cardinal ring. I'm thinking of adjusting the spring, as an experiment, so they can feed from it - I'm happy to feed them during the breeding season.
I had mine adjusted to stop parakeets. This meant it closed with 2 or 3 starlings on it. They quickly learnt not to crowd if they wanted to feed.
Regards Ken