8/7/2023 0 Comments Suet feeder starling proof![]() Their propensity to eat just about anything is one of the reasons that many gardeners want to deter Starlings and is one of the reasons that it is difficult to put just this species off. In this case, that means that they will eat seeds, berries, and insects. The 5 Tips to Keep Starlings from Bird Feeders 1. Below we discuss five of these tips to help you in your quest for the perfect feeder population. You can’t use techniques like scarecrows or sonic scares because these will put other birds off, too.įortunately, there are a few tips and tricks that should help you attract the birds you do want while putting Starlings off. Unfortunately, it can be tricky to deter Starlings from your feeders while still attracting other birds, especially because the Starling is a similar shape and size to a lot of other garden visitors. They can also attack and deter other visitors to your bird feeders. The idea for a log I had, was to lean it Eastward, (I read somewhere that Pileateds like that), drill it with holes so it looks homey, and put a fairly small amount of suet so deep down the holes, that the Starlings couldn't reach it.Starlings are something of a menace whether they are being noisy in your garden or devouring your freshly planted seeds. The problem is, I know they'll re-educate themselves to feed upside down, once they realize that plate is out. They've experienced an educational amount of frustration trying to get this suet. So much so, I removed that plate today, the Pileated Woodpecker showed up and got some food, and I only had to shoo Starlings away from another feeder. But, they got discouraged and I see way less of them now. They also follow the Flickers around to identify suet sources. The plate on the underside is removable to allow upside down feeding, but the Starlings did figure it out. The grate on the underside is narrower mesh, so even with the plate out, the big Pileated still has a bit of a task dislodging the suet.The Downy and even Hairy Woodpeckers, as well as all the smaller birds, can slip in and feed directly. ![]() The Northern Flickers can stick their heads in using their long necks and have their fill. The Starlings are completely dumbfounded. Wild birds unlimited has a three cake suet feeder, that is a cage, surrounded by another cage, with plates top and bottom. She said the Starlings would figure it out though. Only it would have narrower and deeper holes for the suet. I thought about making my own log feeder, with the suet port holes. I can't stand guard on the thing all day though. I removed that protective plate, allowing upside down feeding, and for the time being, the Starlings haven't showed up. They are a grand bird, and I'd love to see them more often. However, with 2 visits in 6 weeks being the status quo, I'm afraid there will be no learning curve. She said the Pileated will eventually figure out how to get their head through the sides, like the Flickers do, and get some food. I called the distributors, a small local shop, and the clerk told me to give them time. That Pileated came back this morning, and again, he wore out his beak, trying to get at the Suet through the plate. The problem is, I had the bottom of the cage obstructed with a little square plate, because the Starlings here are clever enough to get at it, upside down. I think it's the size, compared to other cage suet feeders, that enables them to use that huge, stiff tail to balance while they feed. My first day having it out, six weeks ago, a huge Pileated Woodpecker visited, for the first time in two years almost, of living here. ![]() I found a feeder style, cage within a cage, that keeps the Starlings mystified but accomodates the Flickers and smaller birds. The Starlings love their suet and were about to eat me out of house and home. I have Northern Flickers, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers here.
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