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See More Species with a Finch Bird Feeder
Feeding thistle or nyjer seed will attract more than Goldfinches!
The high fat and protein content found in thistle makes it wildly popular among both House and Purple Finches, Towhees, Pine Siskins, Juncos, and Indigo Buntings (shown above). This makes the Finch Bird Feeder highly versatile and a pleasure to watch. Another great benefit of this feeder is that seed won’t germinate, so there’s no worries of unsightly weeds below your feeder.
Mixing thistle seed with finely chopped sunflower kernels also helps reduce the mess below feeders. Pine Siskins and other prefer the mix as well. Finch feeders have special ports for thistle, they are generally much smaller than those of other wild bird feeders. There are tons of finch bird feeders on the market, one to suit your tastes and environment shouldn’t be too hard to find!
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Make Your Own Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders
In my yard there are probably too many bird feeders, and definitely too many squirrels! I don’t mind feeding the squirrels too, but I used to cringe when they managed to empty a bird feeder. Over the years I have learned the importance of baffles. Squirrel baffles, when used properly work very well to keep pesky critters from raiding birdseed. By using them, you can create squirrel proof bird feeders that really work – for minimal cost and maximum performance.
The thing to remember, is a squirrel’s ability to jump eight feet sideways and four feet high. The baffles must not be placed too close to any possible “launch sites” for squirrels. Nor can they be too close to the ground. If your feeder is hanging, the baffle would be above, its circumference being one-third larger than the feeder. If there is a pole mounted feeder, the baffle would need to be placed below the feeder, at least four feet from the ground. With a little bit of effort and minimal cost, you can save money on seed, and save yourself much aggravation!
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Hopper Bird Feeders Can be Beautiful Too!
Traditional hopper style bird feeders are a favorite among many backyard birders and their feathered friends as well. With adequate perching area, they will accommodate most seed mixes and many species of wild birds. They’re also one of the standard feeders because of their large seed capacity.
But plain wood Hopper Bird Feeders tend to get kind of boring…they all start to look alike after a while. Fear not! Now there’s good news for these types of bird feeders. They’re available in stained glass and copper, ceramics, and stoneware to withstand the toughest elements. If you’re looking for a beautiful feeder that is totally functional and easy to use, hopper bird feeders are always an excellent choice for any landscape.
Birding Tips, Information & News
