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Author Topic: Bird Feeders and Backyard Critters  (Read 146524 times)

Offline Chapshnell

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #40 on: May 04, 2020, 01:17:23 PM »
Some birds won't eat it.

beggars cant be choosers.

Offline Jellybelly

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #41 on: May 04, 2020, 01:49:55 PM »
I’m looking for ideas how to get rid of birds! Not necessarily looking to kill them by putting out poison or traps, just something that repels them. Is there a food or smell that they don’t like? From the little I know it looks like it’s mainly Sparrows.
I know this doesn’t belong in a bird lovers thread, But they’re ruining my backyard, it’s just gross, every time we go outside, we have to clean off all the chairs and toys!

Offline lfas25

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #42 on: May 04, 2020, 02:17:35 PM »
I’m looking for ideas how to get rid of birds! Not necessarily looking to kill them by putting out poison or traps, just something that repels them. Is there a food or smell that they don’t like? From the little I know it looks like it’s mainly Sparrows.
I know this doesn’t belong in a bird lovers thread, But they’re ruining my backyard, it’s just gross, every time we go outside, we have to clean off all the chairs and toys!

Are there tree branches above the area that you are having issues with?
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Offline Jellybelly

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #43 on: May 04, 2020, 02:20:32 PM »
Yes. And they find little nooks and crannies to make nest, every once in a while I knock down the nests, but within days they’re back building it again

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #44 on: May 04, 2020, 02:35:15 PM »
We had two feeders and attracted nice birds. But after having to remove 3 dead birds, we stopped putting out the food. Apparently stray cats or others were killing the birds here. Have you had that problem?
^^^

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #45 on: May 04, 2020, 02:54:14 PM »
Fascinating thread. @Something Fishy, care to share some Amazon links for good starter material?

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #46 on: May 04, 2020, 03:06:46 PM »
Unlike your pictures, I have you beat with species count..

Yeah yeah, rub it in ;D
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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #47 on: May 04, 2020, 03:08:54 PM »
We had two feeders and attracted nice birds. But after having to remove 3 dead birds, we stopped putting out the food. Apparently stray cats or others were killing the birds here. Have you had that problem?

No thankfully. I've had bunnies killed (still don't know by what), but never a bird.
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Online Something Fishy

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #48 on: May 04, 2020, 03:30:36 PM »
Fascinating thread. @Something Fishy, care to share some Amazon links for good starter material?

Thanks.

Oddly enough, I find Amazon to be way more expensive than local stores for these types of things. As far as a basic setup, the main thing you need to decide is where you want it, and how it'll be mounted. A pole stuck into the ground is the most common - I use this one (many manufacturers sell the same exact thing at different prices, so shop around). If you want something more basic go for one with only one or two hooks.

Since mine is on a deck, I sawed off the bottom stakes and just ziptied the entire thing to the railing, it works great.

For a basic feeder, start with this and some basic mixed seed. Most of them are good, but you can tell the quality by the sunflower-to-millet ratio. The more sunflower the better quality is is and the more your birds will enjoy it. If most of it is millet (tiny brown balls), skip it - it's mostly filler and will end up costing more at the end of the day. This is the one I found works best for me.

To get more exciting birds, the easiest way is a suet or finch feeder. For suet, you can't beat a price like this. For the suet itself, I have so far been unable to find a decent place to buy them online, so I get them in Walmart for around $1.25 each. I find that the hot pepper ones are the only ones that the squirrels hate and birds love.

For finches, start with a basic finch sockand see if they come - no need to spend on a real one in the beginning. If that's successful, then get a real finch feeder. You can also try the name-brand socks, but I find that my birds highly prefer the generic Walmart seeds. Go figure.

In short: get a basic feeder, a pole to hang it from if you need, and a bag of mixed seed. That's all you need to start, and can cost under $50.

And if you want to add suet and finch feeders, you can try those out for under $10 all-in.


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Offline skyguy918

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #49 on: May 04, 2020, 04:31:19 PM »
Are there tree branches above the area that you are having issues with?
Yes. And they find little nooks and crannies to make nest, every once in a while I knock down the nests, but within days they’re back building it again
So trim the branches above the areas you're concerned with.

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #50 on: May 04, 2020, 04:39:54 PM »
I’m looking for ideas how to get rid of birds! Not necessarily looking to kill them by putting out poison or traps, just something that repels them. Is there a food or smell that they don’t like? From the little I know it looks like it’s mainly Sparrows.
I know this doesn’t belong in a bird lovers thread, But they’re ruining my backyard, it’s just gross, every time we go outside, we have to clean off all the chairs and toys!
Give them @Something Fishy 's address for a deluxe buffet
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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #51 on: May 04, 2020, 05:16:59 PM »
I’m looking for ideas how to get rid of birds! Not necessarily looking to kill them by putting out poison or traps, just something that repels them. Is there a food or smell that they don’t like? From the little I know it looks like it’s mainly Sparrows.
I know this doesn’t belong in a bird lovers thread, But they’re ruining my backyard, it’s just gross, every time we go outside, we have to clean off all the chairs and toys!
Just do shiluach haken and move the eggs and they will be gone.
Feelings don't care about your facts

Offline Willie

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #52 on: May 04, 2020, 09:47:32 PM »
Thanks.

Oddly enough, I find Amazon to be way more expensive than local stores for these types of things. As far as a basic setup, the main thing you need to decide is where you want it, and how it'll be mounted. A pole stuck into the ground is the most common - I use this one (many manufacturers sell the same exact thing at different prices, so shop around). If you want something more basic go for one with only one or two hooks.

Since mine is on a deck, I sawed off the bottom stakes and just ziptied the entire thing to the railing, it works great.

For a basic feeder, start with this and some basic mixed seed. Most of them are good, but you can tell the quality by the sunflower-to-millet ratio. The more sunflower the better quality is is and the more your birds will enjoy it. If most of it is millet (tiny brown balls), skip it - it's mostly filler and will end up costing more at the end of the day. This is the one I found works best for me.

To get more exciting birds, the easiest way is a suet or finch feeder. For suet, you can't beat a price like this. For the suet itself, I have so far been unable to find a decent place to buy them online, so I get them in Walmart for around $1.25 each. I find that the hot pepper ones are the only ones that the squirrels hate and birds love.

For finches, start with a basic finch sockand see if they come - no need to spend on a real one in the beginning. If that's successful, then get a real finch feeder. You can also try the name-brand socks, but I find that my birds highly prefer the generic Walmart seeds. Go figure.

In short: get a basic feeder, a pole to hang it from if you need, and a bag of mixed seed. That's all you need to start, and can cost under $50.

And if you want to add suet and finch feeders, you can try those out for under $10 all-in.

How do you keep squirrels from eating all the food.
Dont they just climb up the pole?

Offline EliJelly

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #53 on: May 04, 2020, 10:47:41 PM »
How do you keep squirrels from eating all the food.
Dont they just climb up the pole?
Indeed. There are steps you can take to mitigate it (@lfas25 for example has it pretty much down pat), but like @CountValentine says it depends a lot on the feeder placement. Personally I don;t have too many options, so squirrels are a problem sometimes. We mitigate it by using mainly foods that squirrels don;t like too much, and my daughter likes to sit and read by the window and scare them away when they show up.

For most feeders, the main options are keeping them at least 10 feet away from branches, gates, roofs, etc. and installing a baffle on the pole, or using only squirrel-proof feeders (some work better than others).

Offline Dan

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #54 on: May 04, 2020, 10:58:25 PM »
DDF has officially gone to the birds.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline EliJelly

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #55 on: May 04, 2020, 11:00:59 PM »
DDF has officially gone to the birds.
No-one knew what COVID-19 will bring along

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #56 on: May 04, 2020, 11:03:10 PM »
No-one knew what COVID-19 will bring along
@yuneeq knew  ;D
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline EliJelly

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #57 on: May 04, 2020, 11:07:54 PM »
@yuneeq knew  ;D
I'm sure he didn't foresee the birds..

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #58 on: May 04, 2020, 11:09:48 PM »
I'm sure he didn't foresee the birds..
what about hornets?
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Offline EliJelly

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Re: Bird Feeders and Backyard Birding
« Reply #59 on: May 04, 2020, 11:14:00 PM »
what about hornets?
Has SF turned to farming bee hives too?