I have a bunch of bird-feeders but the blackbirds and grackles always eat everything. What should I do?

Question

We have a ton of birds in my area and I want to attract all of them. The blackbirds and other "bullies" always run off the more attractive songbirds. Is there a bird food that will attract the songbirds and be less tasty to the bully birds. Thanks for you helop!!!

Answer 1

get the right kind of bird feeder. Certain ones will attract nuisance birds. I would go with a platform (table) feeder if you want to attract all of the species of birds - all non-predatory/non aggressive birds love them as they can see predatory birds coming, and are thus more likely to feed there.

also, if your current feeders have a protruding stick for the birds to perch on and a hole for the birds to poke their head thru, cut it a lot shorter with a hacksaw ( <1/2 inch protrusion is great for most birds, and blue jays and blackbirds will be unable to perch there). Also, make sure the protrusion is below the feed-hole, not above it, as above-style ones are very attractive to nuisance birds.

However, getting an "above-style" one and placing it in an inconspicuous area is a great idea, as the nuisance birds will feed there, and hang one or two platform feeders a longish distance from the "nuisance-bird" trap, so that you only see the good birds.

info on platform feeders here

http://www.the-scoop-on-wild-birds-and-feeders.com/platformfeeders.html

Answer 2

I have installed the long feeder type tubes that do not have a perch, but have holes down the sides to allow little birds to cling onto but not larger birds. I feed niger seeds to the finches in a long stocking type feeder that they also can cling to easily. I place a flat board type feeder well away from my other feeders and lay some sunflower seeds on it, and this feeds the larger birds and keeps them away from the little feeders.