Can anyone identify these birds?
Apr 16, 2016 16:54:03 #
In northeastern Illinois. Thanks.
Apr 16, 2016 17:00:04 #
House sparrow and house finch.
I'd suggest you purchase black sunflower seed (only), not that commercial 'wild bird seed', which, to me, is just a collection / mixture of seeds that otherwise wouldn't sell. You'll get a better variety of finches with the sunflower seed.
Keep shooting - Strix.
I'd suggest you purchase black sunflower seed (only), not that commercial 'wild bird seed', which, to me, is just a collection / mixture of seeds that otherwise wouldn't sell. You'll get a better variety of finches with the sunflower seed.
Keep shooting - Strix.
Apr 16, 2016 18:22:08 #
Strix wrote:
House sparrow and house finch.
I'd suggest you purchase black sunflower seed (only), not that commercial 'wild bird seed', which, to me, is just a collection / mixture of seeds that otherwise wouldn't sell. You'll get a better variety of finches with the sunflower seed.
Keep shooting - Strix.
I'd suggest you purchase black sunflower seed (only), not that commercial 'wild bird seed', which, to me, is just a collection / mixture of seeds that otherwise wouldn't sell. You'll get a better variety of finches with the sunflower seed.
Keep shooting - Strix.
Thanks for the help. Not only might the mixtures not sell but the sparrows just toss what they do not like. Finicky little things but the squirrels are happy. What birds will the sunflower seeds attract? I have a gorgeous cardinal out there and he is not at all interested in my feeders. I have a second feeder with a different mix.
Apr 16, 2016 19:49:59 #
The cardinal will love the black oil sunflower seeds but they are a ground feeder so you will need to throw some on the ground for them. I have been feeding a pair for years. You can get sunflower seed feeders but I would recommend getting metal ones because the squirrels will demolish plastic in no time to get to the seeds. I have had house finches, chicadees, nuthatch, woodpeckers, grosbeaks even red wing blackbirds on the sunflower seed feeders. And Cardinals, juncos and sparrows feeding on sunflower seed on the ground.
If you want american goldfinch in numbers get a hanging Nyger seed feeder, its a thistle seed and they love it
Nuthatch and woodpeckers love a suet feeder too
If you want american goldfinch in numbers get a hanging Nyger seed feeder, its a thistle seed and they love it
Nuthatch and woodpeckers love a suet feeder too
Apr 17, 2016 00:02:58 #
Woodsman wrote:
The cardinal will love the black oil sunflower see... (show quote)
Thanks for the advice and I will take it up. As for the squirrels, I greased the poles but they shimmied up there like nothing, grease and all. Then, I put red and cayenne pepper on them and that was that. When my current feeders die, then I will replace them with the squirrel-proof ones.
Apr 17, 2016 06:30:58 #
I remember when greasing the poles was a universal squirrel prevention. I no longer do that because some studies indicate that the grease can be harmful to the squirrels. Some can be poisonous to them when they try to self groom it out of their fur and also the grease can clog their fur as well as bird feathers which may not allow the critters to fluff up in winter for proper cold insulation. The build up can act like an oil spill does on birds in the ocean. Just some food for thought.
Apr 17, 2016 08:08:50 #
Woodsman wrote:
I remember when greasing the poles was a universal squirrel prevention. I no longer do that because some studies indicate that the grease can be harmful to the squirrels. Some can be poisonous to them when they try to self groom it out of their fur and also the grease can clog their fur as well as bird feathers which may not allow the critters to fluff up in winter for proper cold insulation. The build up can act like an oil spill does on birds in the ocean. Just some food for thought.
Indeed it is and thank you for letting me know. The birds do not come in contact with the poles or grease. However, with the peppers on it, the squirrels avoid the poles. I will eventually change to squirrel-proof feeders.
Apr 17, 2016 08:53:25 #
I read so much about not using the grease on poles and hummingbird feeders, not good for the wildlife, look what it is doing to us !!!!!!!
Apr 17, 2016 15:40:01 #
There is NO Squirrel - Proof feeders .... They'll get to the food no matter what. I use a piece of flange which works rather well, (most of the time)
Apr 17, 2016 21:17:27 #
Apr 17, 2016 23:03:32 #
DrCoy wrote:
There is NO Squirrel - Proof feeders .... They'll get to the food no matter what. I use a piece of flange which works rather well, (most of the time)
I guess the trick is to reduce, not try to eliminate, the thievery. Please post a picture of the flange. Thanks.
Apr 17, 2016 23:04:14 #
sailorsmom wrote:
Good shots, abc1234!
Thank you. Glad you liked them.
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