EL Pistoffo
Member
Hi everyone,
New member here from South Florida. As I do with any new hobby I take up, I come to the internet forums for knowledge and guidance.
So I've decided to put up my first bird feeder in my back yard. Not knowing much I went to the local HD and purchased a feeder: ( https://smile.amazon.com/Perky-Pet-...F8&qid=1486043534&sr=8-3&keywords=bird+feeder ).
I hung it from my Florida Maple tree and filled it with Wagner Southern Region seed mix. By the next morning I had a flock (dozens) of blackbirds (Grackles) devouring the feed. The entire feeder was drained by later that afternoon.
After some research online, I figured I'd try make my own baffle. I made a simple one out of heavy plastic and added some mini spikes so they would stop landing and standing on it. I couldn't make it cone shaped so its flat like a mini roof. Anyways I lowered it to about 2.25" above the perch and it had a positive effect. Only a few of the blackbirds could get to the feed briefly. It appears it was more effort than worth it so the gave up for the moment.
My question is what kind of perch clearance is needed for the desirable birds? It's got 2 1/4 inch clearance at the moment. The more clearance I give it the easier it becomes for the Grackles (they are very clever and persistant).
What I'd prefer doing is getting a feeder better suited to this task. I rarely see squirrels and never any rodents. I've heard of the Squirrel Buster and Rollerfeeders as well as the outer-caged feeders. Any good recommendations?
Thx
New member here from South Florida. As I do with any new hobby I take up, I come to the internet forums for knowledge and guidance.
So I've decided to put up my first bird feeder in my back yard. Not knowing much I went to the local HD and purchased a feeder: ( https://smile.amazon.com/Perky-Pet-...F8&qid=1486043534&sr=8-3&keywords=bird+feeder ).
I hung it from my Florida Maple tree and filled it with Wagner Southern Region seed mix. By the next morning I had a flock (dozens) of blackbirds (Grackles) devouring the feed. The entire feeder was drained by later that afternoon.
After some research online, I figured I'd try make my own baffle. I made a simple one out of heavy plastic and added some mini spikes so they would stop landing and standing on it. I couldn't make it cone shaped so its flat like a mini roof. Anyways I lowered it to about 2.25" above the perch and it had a positive effect. Only a few of the blackbirds could get to the feed briefly. It appears it was more effort than worth it so the gave up for the moment.
My question is what kind of perch clearance is needed for the desirable birds? It's got 2 1/4 inch clearance at the moment. The more clearance I give it the easier it becomes for the Grackles (they are very clever and persistant).
What I'd prefer doing is getting a feeder better suited to this task. I rarely see squirrels and never any rodents. I've heard of the Squirrel Buster and Rollerfeeders as well as the outer-caged feeders. Any good recommendations?
Thx