Outdoor Ontario

Discussion => General Discussions => Topic started by: mr.sharp-photo on April 27, 2010, 07:41:52 AM

Title: Best bird seed to attract anything but sparrows...
Post by: mr.sharp-photo on April 27, 2010, 07:41:52 AM

seems like all i attracts are flocks of sparrows.
they eat through my feeder in 2 days.
I can hear goldfinches in the neighbourhood as well as occasionally seeing cardinals, but they don't use the feeder.

i have a squirrel proof feeder, so not sure if i need to change my type of feeder.
currently using a bird seed from PetsMart - a large sack of seed. not sure what was in it, but it looked like a decent mix.

Title:
Post by: Kin Lau on April 27, 2010, 09:11:21 AM

For Goldfinches, nyger. Cardinals like sunflower.

Title: Best birdfeed
Post by: Margaret on April 27, 2010, 10:37:04 PM

I agree Kin. I've kept my Goldfinches through 2 winters with nyger seed. (Usually buy large bags at Walmart or Canadian Tire.)
Today at the feeder I had a dozen or so goldfinches and housefinches. Sometimes a chickadee drops by. Also a junco has been known to give it a try. My backyard is over run with squirrels but they don't bother with this feeder.

Title:
Post by: Bluffs Birder on April 28, 2010, 12:46:31 AM

House Sparrows are an introduced species in North America, they've adapted to absolutely everything everywhere across the continent.  Chances of NOT having them around your feeders are slim to none unfortunately.

Walter

Title:
Post by: Halton Hills on April 28, 2010, 03:13:41 AM

.

Though they will eat anything.......a seed mix is a bad idea if you have house sparrows......and will only make the problem worse.

Changing over to straight black oil sunflower or safflower seed may help.

Switching the feeder can help too......hanging feeders that sway in the wind are better.

With a perch type, if possible, shorten the perches to 1/2" in length......or better yet, use a clinging mesh feeder with no perches at all.

Also, you can put out some suet, which will bring in the woodpeckers and chickadees.

And as mentioned, a nyger feeder will bring in the Goldfinches.


.

Title:
Post by: Kin Lau on April 28, 2010, 12:59:29 PM

You'll find that Nyger is a lot more expensive, but if you can keep the sparrows out, it'll last a lot longer.

My nyger feeder is also designed for finches only, the house sparrows are not able to feed from it. They typically go after my sunflower feeder or feed from the ground instead.

Title:
Post by: Rob'in'To on April 28, 2010, 07:12:18 PM

Mix seeds from bulk stores is not the best to use...  a lot gets thrown on the ground.  You may get funny weeds growing under your feeder after some time.  Left over seed may attract rodents and as my dilema...  Pigeons!  I don't hate the Pigeons but my neighbours do.  The Pigeons sit on their roof tops and look down into my yard.  I have two large cedar/pine type trees right behind my house so they won't sit on my roof.  

I don't have an issue with House Sparrows getting in my nyjer.  A few Red Wings are eating it but I am not concerned.

I use Safflower for the Cardinals.  I see House Finches in it on occasion but that's it.

Black Oil is great but everyone enjoys it...  even the Squirrels...  but I have one heck of a mess of shells from the winter due to it.  I went through well over 100 kilos of black oil.

Title: Re: Best bird seed to attract anything but sparrows...
Post by: Cody on April 28, 2010, 07:27:34 PM

Quote from: "yogistewart"

seems like all i attracts are flocks of sparrows.
they eat through my feeder in 2 days.
I can hear goldfinches in the neighbourhood as well as occasionally seeing cardinals, but they don't use the feeder.

i have a squirrel proof feeder, so not sure if i need to change my type of feeder.
currently using a bird seed from PetsMart - a large sack of seed. not sure what was in it, but it looked like a decent mix.

Just curious,  how many Sparrows on average do you have a week :?: