Best TYPE of bird feeder?
Oct 5, 2020 16:05:15 #
With winter coming on, I thought feeding our local birds would be nice and a great photo opt. I have not shot too many birds in my long addiction to taking photographs. My plan is to mount it on a post right in front of a large window in my house. It is west facing so it is one of those mirror windows, you can see out but not in, it should be a pretty good blind for watching a bird feeder. What is the best type for capturing birds as they feed and what is the best type of food to attract birds?
Thanks in advance for all your input.
Thanks in advance for all your input.
Oct 5, 2020 16:14:07 #
One that handles black oiled sunflower seeds is a must here.
Also one that is for Nyjer thistle seeds.
A suet feeder is productive.
Also consider a “stage” for your little buddies.
A location that is near shelter helps as well as some water.
Good luck, when I used to winter in Michigan I spent more on bird food than I could count.
Also one that is for Nyjer thistle seeds.
A suet feeder is productive.
Also consider a “stage” for your little buddies.
A location that is near shelter helps as well as some water.
Good luck, when I used to winter in Michigan I spent more on bird food than I could count.
Oct 5, 2020 16:21:41 #
Consider the weeds (plants from seeds in spring) and the squirrels that will attack the feeder. Here
In NYC I deal with both problems. I wish you luck with these issues.
In NYC I deal with both problems. I wish you luck with these issues.
Oct 5, 2020 16:34:19 #
I would stick with Droll Yankee feeders -- they have a wide selection, many squirrel proof. Also consider putting a large limb(s) nearby to capture the birds away from the feeder. I second the oiler sunflower--it is the most popular food I have found. Finally John Dennis has a number of books on back yard bird feeding--some are out of print but can be found used.
Oct 5, 2020 16:37:47 #
There is no such thing as a squirrel-proof feeder 😉. Just find one that makes them work for their feast.
Oct 5, 2020 16:43:08 #
RoswellAlien wrote:
There is no such thing as a squirrel-proof feeder 😉. Just find one that makes them work for their feast.
That is a Fact!!!
Oct 5, 2020 16:43:28 #
akretiree
Loc: Anchorage
You might want to check these people. They likely would have good suggestions. https://cincinnatiaudubon.org/
Oct 5, 2020 17:12:16 #
The best feeder I have found that both feeds the birds and not the squirrels, and keeping the rain from soaking the seed is a "Squirrel Buster". You can buy online or at Wild Birds Unlimited. The squirrels spent a day or two trying to figure it out and gave up. It feeds seeds well and peanuts halves pretty well, but dried berries or cherries tend to jam up. There are several models. I suggest having or mounting a branch within a couple of feet. Many birds will land there first or land there to wait a turn. That's the best time for a photo. You can change the branch so all your photos aren't with the same setting. Again, the "Squirrel Buster" is squirrel proof! Good luck and good shooting, Dave.
Oct 5, 2020 20:54:20 #
Google "Rollerfeeder". I live in Tennessee and keep mine filled with black oil sunflower seeds year-round, with 2 suet feeders hanging below. There's a water source less than 30 feet away. The birds love all of it and the squirrels....don't.
Oct 5, 2020 21:11:00 #
If you want to take your home bird photography to the next level watch this video from Doug Gardner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5qY8SXzHA8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5qY8SXzHA8
Oct 5, 2020 21:19:57 #
DaveD65 wrote:
With winter coming on, I thought feeding our local... (show quote)
I like something portable that allows perches to be changed. I shoot a lot from my garage and front porch. Sometimes moving a feeder just a few inches can make a big difference as light changes. My only exception to just one feeder and one seed type (black oiled sunflower) , is some peanut butter.
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-367004-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-590755-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-567110-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-506171-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-510831-1.html
Oct 6, 2020 00:29:16 #
Check out the Wild Photo Adventures video on attracting and photographing songbirds. It's available on Amazon Prime, if you are a member, as well as from Doug Gardner's website. He visits Gary Carter's amazing songbird habitat in North Carolina. It's Season 5, Episode 8.
https://amazon.com/Wild-Photo-Adventures/dp/B01BKX88FO/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_g4368549507?_encoding=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0&ie=UTF8
What I find best is that the feeding stations appear natural,, e.g., seed in a hollow depression in a log set on a movable stand. Hence the shots are of birds in their own environment. If memory serves there is another video of a return visit too. Not seasonal for many of us this time of year, but Gardner has a video on attracting and photographing hummingbirds in a natural setting as well.
Carter's setup is elaborate, he operates a business renting the place out to photographers who want to photograph songbirds, but the concepts are readily adaptable for use on a more simplified and modest scale.
Substantively, I'd add meal worms (freeze-dried or live) to what others have suggested to attract the insect eaters, as well as the seed eaters. For me the insects attract migrating warblers.
https://amazon.com/Wild-Photo-Adventures/dp/B01BKX88FO/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_g4368549507?_encoding=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0&ie=UTF8
What I find best is that the feeding stations appear natural,, e.g., seed in a hollow depression in a log set on a movable stand. Hence the shots are of birds in their own environment. If memory serves there is another video of a return visit too. Not seasonal for many of us this time of year, but Gardner has a video on attracting and photographing hummingbirds in a natural setting as well.
Carter's setup is elaborate, he operates a business renting the place out to photographers who want to photograph songbirds, but the concepts are readily adaptable for use on a more simplified and modest scale.
Substantively, I'd add meal worms (freeze-dried or live) to what others have suggested to attract the insect eaters, as well as the seed eaters. For me the insects attract migrating warblers.
Oct 6, 2020 01:54:33 #
I's add a word about squirrel-proof feeders: You can fool some of the squirrels all of the time, and all of the squirrels some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the squirrels all of the time.
Oct 6, 2020 05:21:53 #
chrissybabe
Loc: New Zealand
My wife is into shooting birds. We have a metal feeder that we hang on a long hook in a tree. The feeder holds a heap of birdseed and has 4 loops for birds to sit on plus the low lying branches of the tree. Because the actual feeder hangs lower than the lowest branches she gets plenty of good views. We don't have squirrels so can't vouch for how squirrel proof it might be.
My best recommendation for a feeder - IF IT HAS ANY METAL PARTS MAKE SURE THEY ARE STAINLESS STEEL, BRASS OR COPPER. Nothing plated because the bits will rust very quickly.
My best recommendation for a feeder - IF IT HAS ANY METAL PARTS MAKE SURE THEY ARE STAINLESS STEEL, BRASS OR COPPER. Nothing plated because the bits will rust very quickly.
Oct 6, 2020 05:39:33 #
I couple of other things to try. I was told many years ago that squirrels don't eat safflower seed, it worked for a few years and then the squirrels figured if that was all that I was offering, they would learn to like it. What works better, if you can find, it is seed and suet that has hot pepper mixed in. The birds don't salivate so it doesn't bother them but I have yet to find a squirrel that will go back for a second taste. Good luck and happy birding. Looking forward to your pictures.
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