Unexpected Birds in Caged Bird Feeders

Gray Catbirds On and In a caged Feeder

What birds can you expect in a caged bird feeder and what unexpected birds might also use the feeder? You probably purchased the feeder to attract smaller birds that fit through the cage’s wire grid while blocking aggressive larger birds. But you might be surprised at some of the visitors.

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Should Bird Feeders Always Be Kept Full?

Bird Feeders
(Bird Feeders)

Filling Feeders: Should you keep your bird feeder full at all times? Or should you only add seed when it is completely empty? I’ve been experimenting a bit with this and my conclusion is that how full you should keep your feeder depends on feeder type and sometimes weather. You can also somewhat control the feeder area’s bird density by adjusting seed availability among several feeders.

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Strategies to Keep Starlings Off Feeders

European Starling on Seed Feeder
(European Starling on Seed Feeder)

Keeping aggressive starlings out of bird feeders can be a challenge. Starlings will go after suet, seed and mealworms with a persistence that is both pretty awe inspiring and very frustrating. Over the years, I’ve honed strategies to keep starlings from taking over the feeders in my yard.

Note: This post is an overview of how I manage starlings at my feeders. You will find links to more in-depth discussions of each strategy and/or feeder reviews throughout the post.

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