Posted by Thank you for all the wonderful feedback and questions following my recent appearance on Charlie Dobbin’s Gardening Show, on Zoomer Radio.
I received quite a few messages about my squirrel proof feeder comments, so I thought it would be helpful to expand on my comments with a few more details.
Yes I have found that some bird feeders can be squirrel-proof and effective. There are a few important points to look at when selecting and positioning of the feeder:
- Ensure that the feeder design ensures that there is at least 12 to 14 inches, from where the squirrel can grab and hang to reach the feed ports
- When hanging the feeder, ensure it is least 18 inches away from a fence or tree trunk, so that the squirrel can’t hold onto the tree trunk and reach the feeder, without placing their weight on the feeder….initially you may need to move the feeder around a little to ensure its proper placement to defeat the squirrels
- Weight based feeders that close with the weight of the squirrel on the feeder are the most effective, and feeders that enclose the spring mechanism within the feeder, are better than external springs, which can sometimes be disabled by smart squirrels. Feeders with adjustable weight mechanisms are preferable as you can adjust the weight sensitivity depending on the size of the squirrels and if you want to exclude large birds like grackles.
- Feeder port – the best feeder posts are ones that require the bird to reach in to get the food, this way, birds don’t’ knock seed to the ground under the feeder
- Food – squirrel proof feeders are designed to use a variety of seed type sand mixes, but my top choice is to use just sunflower hearts, which have no shells and no empty shells dropping to the ground. Since the hearts are all one variety, the birds don’t tend to dig through the seed and toss the unwanted or less appealing seed to the ground … .and best of all, ALL Birds love and eat sunflower hearts.
- Cardinal Friendly – if you want to attract Cardinals, be sure the feeder has a curved perch or a specific cardinal ring, so that they can forward feed. Cardinals need to face their feed to eat, unlike most other birds that can twist and feed on a straight perch.
My top choice for Squirrel Proof Feeders, is the line of feeders made by Brome Bird Care in Knowlton Quebec. The Biggest and Best feeder is the Squirrel Buster Plus, the Squirrel buster Legacy is a little smaller and works great and as a starter Squirrel Proof Feeder, check out the Squirrel Buster Standard.
Brome also makes a squirrel proof suet feeder, peanut feeder and finch feeder and best of all Brome stands behind their feeders with free replacement parts and lifetime warranties on many of their feeders.
I hope you find this additional information helpful. If you have any other wild birding questions, please drop me a line, always happy to share wild birding tips.
Cheers
Paul Oliver
Founder
Urban Nature Store
Backyard Dispatches 