BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I make my own feeders and for years have drilled 5/8 holes for the birds to poke into the seeds. One day this summer I went out to see this. The bird had his head fully stuck into the hole and was upside down, not moving a muscle. I took out my trusty LG V20, held it over my head and snapped a picture. I then noticed a tiny movement in the little guy, so tried to pull him out of the hole, but he was good and stuck. I got some shears and carefully cut open the plastic mayonnaise jar which was harder than it looked, particularly w/o harming the bugger. Once free, he flew away like nothing happened. I decided to reduce the hole to 1/2" to hopefully stop the from repeating. So far so good.

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Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Funny picture. Glad you got him out of there ok and no harm done.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

That's a nice looking feeder. Interesting story about the bird. Glad things worked out okay.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Yes, I was actually a little upset when he moved a bit, I thought he was going to be too close to dead to save. I was relieved when he flew away apparently none the worse for wear when released.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks, I make the top and bottoms on my lathe, and use a standard mayonnaise jar for the seed. I got into it when the squirrels kept destroying bought feeders. They actually chew open the mayonnaise jars too, but after several years of failed attempts at squirrel proofing my feeders, I finally achieved (knock on wood) success.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Horseart Loc: Alabama

Poor little guy must have been terrified. Nice shot and glad he survived.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I like that feeder. Very cleverly done, and the plastic mayo jar is easily replaced if need be. The squirrel shield is a clever addition, too.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Agree with you

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

He must have been but he acted calm as a cucumber right up until he was free, then he flew away like the wind.
I cut him loose with some shears and the last bit with a razor knife. If he knew how old and clumsy I've become, he would have not been so calm.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks Greg. I have a whole pile of mayo jars and replace them when they get a little old.

The squirrel shield is a 13" stainless mixing bowl my wife wasn't using, it was a cheap one. I cut off the lip around the rim, put a hole in the middle and the squirrels still managed to climb the post full speed, jump out sideways 6 inches while maintaining momentum and spring off the side of the bowl, grab onto a feeder with one hand. I watched them do it in disbelief, as it looked impossible.

The problem was the hole in the bowl was not big enough so the bowl was loose, but not loose enough. I enlarged the hole so it would allow the bowl to tilt all the way down and wallah, finally, after trying every conceivable internet trick, I defeated the little suckers. I have a platform feeder for peanuts that the squirrels and Blue Jays fight over.

The key parts are the height of the bowl from the ground, the distance from the bowl to the feeders, and particularly the size of the hole in the bowl. Also, you of course need a spot at minimum of 10 feet away from any thing they can jump from to the feeders.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Well I just that was a clever idea and executed well. Thanks for sharing that.