The presence of large, dominant birds such as European starlings, common grackles, and mourning doves can quickly turn a backyard feeder into a frustrating experience. These birds often arrive in large flocks, rapidly consuming expensive seed mixes and monopolizing feeding stations. This aggressive feeding behavior leaves little opportunity for smaller, desired songbirds like chickadees, finches, and cardinals to approach the food source. Bird enthusiasts must implement targeted strategies that exploit the physical and behavioral differences between small songbirds and their larger counterparts. Successfully managing the feeder environment requires a multi-pronged approach, focusing on modifications to the feeder itself, its placement, and the type of food offered.
Modifying Feeder Design
One effective way to deter larger birds is by physically restricting access to the seed through specialized feeder construction. Weight-activated feeders employ a mechanical or spring-loaded mechanism that is calibrated to a specific weight threshold. When a bird heavier than a typical songbird lands on the perch, the feeding port automatically closes or the perch collapses, denying access to the seed inside. This technology targets the difference in mass, allowing lighter birds to feed undisturbed.
Another structural solution involves adding an exclusion barrier, or cage, around the existing feeder. The ideal wire mesh size for this barrier is generally 1.5 inches (38mm) in diameter, which admits smaller songbirds while blocking bulkier birds like starlings and pigeons. Furthermore, simply altering the dimensions of the feeder’s perches can create a disadvantage for larger birds. Short or very thin perches require a bird to grip tightly and balance, forcing large, less agile species to feed in an awkward manner they tend to avoid.
The addition of a dome-shaped baffle above the feeder can also help. If positioned directly over the feeding ports, it makes it difficult for larger birds to comfortably perch on the top of the feeder without being able to reach the seed below.
Strategic Feeder Placement
Beyond the physical attributes of the feeder, its location within the yard significantly influences which species are attracted to it. Hanging feeders far from stable perching spots, such as wide tree branches or porch ledges, can discourage heavier birds. Larger species prefer a secure and stable landing zone, and the slight sway of a feeder suspended from a thin hook or cable is often enough to deter them.
Mounting a feeder on a slick, metal pole instead of hanging it from a tree provides another advantage against larger birds. A smooth pole offers no secure grip for climbing or heavy perching. Adding a wide, upward-sloping baffle to this pole mount prevents large birds from landing directly beneath the feeder.
Managing ground feeding is also important, as large birds frequently forage on spilled seed. Placing a seed catch tray beneath the feeder can help contain the mess, but the tray must be difficult for large birds to land on comfortably.
Alternatively, placing feeders closer to dense shrubbery or thick cover can favor smaller birds. Smaller, more vulnerable birds utilize nearby cover as a quick escape from predators. Larger, less agile birds, like grackles, are often wary of tight, enclosed spaces that might impede their takeoff, making the location less appealing to them.
Using Targeted Seed Types
The most straightforward method for excluding specific species is to change the food source to one that is naturally unappealing to them. Safflower seed is a potent tool in this strategy, as its hard shell and slightly bitter taste are generally disliked by undesirable birds, including starlings and grackles. Conversely, desirable species such as northern cardinals, chickadees, and house finches readily consume safflower seed, making it an excellent targeted offering.
Another specialized seed is Nyjer, often mistakenly called thistle seed, which requires a specialized feeder design. Due to the seed’s tiny size, it must be offered in tube feeders with very small ports or in mesh socks, physically excluding birds with larger beaks that cannot efficiently extract the seed.
To further reduce the appeal to large, non-selective eaters, birders should avoid cheap filler seeds like millet and cracked corn, which are favorites of doves and blackbirds. Instead, focus on high-quality options like shelled sunflower hearts or chips. These shelled options reduce the overall ground mess that attracts ground-feeding birds. Limiting the availability of high-value foods like suet and peanuts can also help manage the presence of large birds, as these are potent attractants for dominant species.