Goldfinches Dropping Sunflower Seed on Ground

American Goldfinches Eating Sunflower Seed
(American Goldfinches Eating Sunflower Seed)

American Goldfinches have been dropping a LOT of sunflower seed on the ground under my feeders. While some dropped seed gets eaten, some goes to waste. And sunflower hearts turn to mush on wet ground, making them an expensive mess. As always, it helps to first watch just what is happening at your feeders and then decide what to do.

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

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How to Feed Ground-Feeding Birds in the Snow

Feeding White-Throated Sparrow & Dark-Eyed Juncos seed under a patio umbrella in the snow
(White-Throated Sparrow & Dark-Eyed Juncos in the Snow Under a Patio Umbrella)

How do you feed ground-feeding birds like sparrows in heavy snow? If you toss some seed on the ground as usual, it might be snow-covered within minutes. Birds won’t be able to see it and so might find it challenging to eat. The solution? Provide some cover!

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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Erva Starling-Proof Suet Feeder Review

Downy Woodpecker on Starling-Proof Suet Feeder
Downy Woodpecker on Starling-Proof Suet Feeder

Erva Starling-Proof Suet Feeder Review: Want to keep your suet feeder from being dominated by European Starlings and Common Grackles? One way is to put the suet beyond their reach in Erva’s Starling-Proof Suet Feeder. While I’m a fan of upside-down suet feeders and have used them for years, Erva’s method of putting the suet deep in a cage has promise. This feeder allows smaller birds access to the suet while caging larger birds out.

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

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