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Bluebird feeding - feeders (Part 3)In addition to Messages that have appeared in the Bluebird Mailing Lists on this topic, the following are on the Audubon Society of Omaha website:
From: "Cameron" cscott5"at"charter.net how to i teach birds(blueburds,chicadee,ect...) to use my wooden mealwormfeeder Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 18:57:46 -0700 (PDT) Cameron, ... From: "Randy Jones" randyj"at"enter.net Andy Troyer helped me with that. Following his suggestions, I made two temporary feeders by screwing squares of plywood about 1 foot by 1 foot, with edges of glued down styrofoam (old packing material) to the end of old broom or mop handles, then hammered the first into the ground enough to stand alone right in front of the nestbox, about ten feet in front. I put out a pyrex cup (like for custard or fruit) with about ten mealies in it, on top. I kept track of the mealies until I saw that the bluebirds had taken them (It took them a week or longer), changing them to be sure some were alive and wiggly. When the blues had taken them from the first feeder, I repeated a second ten, and when they had taken those, I hammered in the second feeder ten feet beyond the first, and ten feet closer to my permanent feeder. Once they begin taking them from the first feeder, you can "walk" them toward the permanent feeder by alternating the temporaries, until finally the permanent enclosed feeder is only ten feet away. Then put mealies in the same pyrex bowl inside the enclosed feeder, but with the side removed. Once they make that transition and are taking them from the enclosed feeder with the side off, put the side on, and they will learn to go through the hole. Along the way, robins, catbirds and others will probably learn that mealworms are wonderful, so you will have to be watching closely to be sure it is the blues taking them. Good luck! Randy Jones From: Jgandy8580"at"aol.com Here in south Jersey I began feeding mealworms to bluebirds this winter when it became obvious they were wintering over. A simple tray feeder with a glass dish in it worked well until spring, when the starlings discovered it. I switched to a Plexiglas feeder with an adjustable height dome which excluded the starlings. The bluebirds adjusted to it immediately. I gave them 25 worms twice a day in winter, and doubled that as soon as nesting began. Female incubating 5 eggs now. From: "Mary Beth Roen" mbroen"at"hotmail.com Hi Everyone! I bought a mealworm feeder at the Minnesota Bluebird conference This year. Instead of plexiglas sides, it has dowels 1 1/4 inches apart vertically, to look like a "jail". On one end is a 1 1/2 inch circular entrance hole, and on the other end was a 1 1/2 inch by 2 1/8 inch oval hole similar to the Peterson hole. Starlings had no problems entering the oval to get at the mealworms, nor did the 1 1/4 inch spaces between the dowels keep them out. They could squeeze through. I put a restrictor on the oval hole, making it a 1 1/2 inch round, and put horizontal dowels making squares about 1 1/4 by 1 1/2 inches, and I have seen no more starlings getting in for the mealworms. By the way, this is the first year that I have even had a problem with starlings! I walked my EABL trail today, and found four eggs stabbed and broken on the ground outside one box. It was probably House Wrens. How disappointing! I do have my first hatchlings of the year which looked to be about four or five days old. Off topic, but in response to the unusual birds at Hummingbird feeders. Today I saw a Tennessee Warbler and Orchard Oriole at my feeders. The Tennessee Warbler was a first for me. Mary Roen, River Falls, WI Date: Sat, 18 May 2002 23:56:05 -0400 I'm new to the forum, and I've enjoyed very much all of the comments, observations and information that has been posted here. I live about 20 miles northwest from downtown Philadelphia in a heavily
developed suburban area, and I never saw a bluebird in my life (47 With the exception of a couple years each in St. Louis, Baltimore and San Jose, I have lived in this area my entire life, and it has always been characterized by large flocks of HOSP and European starlings for as long as I can remember. Nonetheless, I tried mealworms in a bluebird feeder, pretty much on a whim, for the first time this spring, and saw a pair of bluebirds at the feeder the very next morning (Palm Sunday). Interestingly, at that time of year, they seemed to be the ONLY birds even remotely interested in feeding on mealworms, and they returned to the feeder several times each day. It just seemed too good to be true..... (it was). I'm currently using Peterson nestboxes with oval entrance holes and, while the bluebirds thoroughly investigated the nestboxes, their only real interest was in the mealworms. Within two weeks, the first mockingbird showed up, and that's when I first learned about that species' psychotic territorial behavior in protecting a food source. I use a sanctuary feeder with tinted plexiglass on four sides, each with a horizontal slot entry. As info, the slots are only 1" high, and the mockingbird was still able to gain entry to the feeder. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have never believed it. Upon seeing this, I had special tinted plexiglass panels fabricated with two 1 1/2" holes cut in each panel, and that seems to have succeeded in keeping everything out (Does anyone have any idea why this is?). For two weeks, the male bluebird made gallant trips to the feeder, but ultimately decided it was time for a new gig with this unceasing mockingbird thing, and he stopped showing up. With the mealworm feeder now unaccessible, the mockingbird soon lost interest, and ultimately a pair of tree swallows began building nests in both nest boxes. This seemed to be an unusually slow affair this year. However, just as they seemed to be building up steam, a HOSP staked claim on their primary nest box. Having seen the work of HOSP's before (e.g., mother TRES pecked to death sitting on her nest), I immediately trapped the HOSP in the nestbox within a day (yesterday, in fact) and disposed of it. Now here's a curious thing: the male TRES perched atop the adjacent nest box (remember, only 15 feet away) last evening, watching me intently as I was removing the primary box to dispose of the sparrow, almost as though he was waiting for me to finish the task at hand so that he could get back into his routine. The female TRES was also present. By the time I got the nest box back in place, it was dusk, and the birds had flown off for the night. I fully expected to see them this morning, but they didn't show all day. Does anyone have any theories about this? The most surprising thing occurred today. A male bluebird (!) appeared on the scene and checked out both nest boxes. Again, my nest boxes didn't seem to provide an attractive option, and he took off after several minutes. Interestingly, the mealworm feeder was still there, and he didn't even appear to notice it. Given the fixation the previous male bluebird had with that feeder before, I'm assuming this was a different bluebird. There was also no female accompanying him this time. My Peterson nest boxes are mounted on metal poles with predator guards overlooking about 3/4 of an acre of open lawn. The entrance holes face SSE, and are a little less than 6 feet from the ground. Do I need to rethink my nestbox positioning here? Anyway, it's really great to hear all of the success stories, and also to see the photos that folks post on the Web of their bluebirds. Those of us in the metropolitan suburbs are still slugging it out, trying to further establish a beachhead for the blues..... and they're here! Btw, I read with interest the various points of view regarding whether to intervene or not intervene on behalf of bluebirds. I respect everyone's opinion who has commented on the issue. My own belief is that humans created the problem for bluebirds through the introduction of aggressive, non-native species, that has resulted in a significant loss of habitat for these birds. Seeing as we created the problem (and continue to do so through development), I don't see any harm in trying to restore some form of habitat for them, and also trying to keep some of their non-native competitors/predators in check. I think I read somewhere on the Web that HOSP currently outnumber all native songbirds in North America, combined. If that's true, I don't think we have to worry about upsetting the balance of nature through our efforts here. From: "College Town" collegetown"at"I-55.com Hi. I am from Louisiana and I was on the list a couple of months ago b/c I had bluebirds nesting in a birdhouse. I could not monitor them as you all do b/c there was no way to get into the box. I saw the babies stick their heads out oneday and they were gone the next. My husband cut a hole out of the back of the box and then used a larger piece of wood to cover the hole and now I can move the piece back and forth to check the house. Yeah!! I have 5 eggs which I believe should hatch this week. I have also bought a blue bird house that I have put up. No takers so far on that. I just discovered that there are bb feeders available. I am going to get one this evening at Lowes. I pulled it up on the internet and I see that it comes with berry-looking treats. I was also going to see if I could find some mealworms at the feed store here. Are they dried worms or live worms? Anyway the feeder I will be getting has plastic sides, cedar wood ends and 2 holes for the bb to get in and out of. Does this sound good? If there is something else I need to do to keep these bb happy, let me know. Thanks. Kim From: "Bruce Burdett" blueburd"at"srnet.com Kim, in Louisiana, The mealworm feeder you describe sounds pretty standard and generic. Fawzi has designed a state-of-the-art feeder. I just use small, white Corningware glass dessert dishes which I can put anywhere I want, on deck railings, on poles, on bird-baths, on boulders, on stumps, etc. They have no roof, of course, and no weepholes, so you have to keep them free of rainwater. They're cheap, they're portable, they're easy to keep clean, the worms can't crawl out, and the birds seem less afraid of them. Sometimes the birds are leery of the roofed kind with the holes. I've made several, but the Bluebirds wouldn't go into them until I removed the glass (plexiglas) side-panels, and even then they were hesitant, All the mealworms I've ever seen are live, but they're dry, not smelly, not dirty, and easily handleable by all but the most squeamish persons. And they don't BITE ! ! They don't because they can't, for the same reason that drone honeybees don't sting.This is long, but maybe a lot of other people will find it useful too. Bruce Burdett, SW NH. (The NH Bluebird Conspiracy) From: "Mary Beth Roen" mbroen"at"hotmail.com Karen and all, I used a feeder for years, that was made of the same material as the Gilbertson nest boxes, but had four large holes (4 inch diameter), one on each side. Since this feeder had a roof on it, it worked just great. At first I had to leave the roof off of it, until the EABLs found the mealworms. Once they found them, I put the roof on and they went right back to it. This year, however, for the first time, I had starlings that found the feeder, and the EABLs were kept away. I then purchased a wooden mealworm feeder, but instead of plexiglass on the sides, it had vertical dowels like a "jail" 1 1/4 inches apart. One end of the feeder had a 1 1/2 inch round hole for an entrance, and the other end had a "Peterson" oval for an entrance. It didn't take long for the starlings to find this feeder, too. Not only could they enter from the "Peterson" oval end, they could even squeeze through the dowels! I put a 1 1/2 inch round restrictor on the oval hole, and put horizontal dowels across the vertical, making squares about 1 1/2 by 1 1/4 inches, and the starlings no longer get in. Now the EABLs are the only birds getting the mealies! Mary Roen, River Falls, WI From: "Karen Smith" ksmith"at"brandywine.net From: "Stan, Apple Valley/St. Paul, MN [44.44N, -93.10W]"
stan1bb"at"frontiernet.net Hello EveryBIRDie! If I may "re-Post" for you who are trying to feed mealworms to smaller birds,
let me cite:
http://www.northbirding.com/writings/smerrill/chickadee.htm You who have seen it, please find your delete key and forgive me! Happy birding and "mealworming!" Stan ... From: "paul kilduff" plkldf"at"hotmail.com Paul Kilduff, Baltimore MD Pamela Ford WROTE
either plexiglass or dowels. Before long the open feeders were a purchased one of those clear domed feeders and lowered the dome to a My 2 cents': I have been making mealworm feeders and so far they seem to be working well. I emphasize they have not been thoroughly tested. We have one with 1-1/8" hole for our former chickadees, and they seemed to love it, used it regularly, and nothing else got in that we know of -- we have boatload of EUropean STarlings, as well as crows, mockers, and even a catbird. As Pam knows, we also have numerous of my feeders on the trail at Oregon Ridge, and the bluebirds use them *times 9*! I mean, these boys clean out 25 'worms in about five minutes! I have watched male EABL go into and out of the feeders quickly and easily, though cannot say that some other birds haven't managed to get in via other than the entrance holes while I wasn't looking. When things slow down I'll have to get a website and put up pictures, but for now, here's what I do: I use what I have lying around, so you can make base and ceiling out of whatever 1-by you have, 1x8, 1x10, 1x12. Cut two pieces of 1-by to length, say, 12". These are base and ceiling. Measure 5-quarters by 3-1/2" wood to the width of the 1-by, and cut two
pieces. These are your ends. Drill 1-1/2 or 1-9/16 holes in each.Fasten Attach the top using a wood screw (1-1/2" - 1-5/8") on either end. You can unscrew one screw and pivot on the other, to put 'worms in the bowl inside. Then take plastic hardware cloth and cut, with razor knife, a 4" strip. Attach that with staple gun to the base and ends, but not to the ceiling. This is the weak point, where an aggressive mocker or EUST might force its way in, but I don't think they do so. For mounting, I put a piece of 5/4 on the bottom, and use a forstner bit to drill a 1" hole halfway through the 5/4 wood. Then take 3/4" set screw connector and screw it into the 1" hole -- it's a snug fit. I put a little caulk on the threads. This is not a bulletproof connection, and I don't necessarily recommend it for nestboxes, but for a mealworm feeder it'll do. Drive a piece of 3/4" conduit into the ground and slip the connector down over it and screw in the setscrew. You may have to use a hacksaw to cut off the top of the conduit once it's driven intot he ground, in case it's been distorted by the pounding. You could also use compression fitting, but the set screw connectors seem to work well for me. Put a plastic bottle bottom on top, and put some 'worms in it -- attach with little wood screw. Put a plastic bottle bottom on floor, near one side so they're visible, and put a good supply of worms in. The ones on top will get their attention, when they eat them, they'll see the ones inside, and figure out how to get at them. What I like is that it doesn't involve dowels, or a slot, and the worms are easily visible to the blues. It's kind of junky looking, but seems to work well so far, so far anyway. It's cheap and easy to make. best,
... From: Jgandy8580"at"aol.com Since the February discovery by the starlings of my platform feeder for mealworms, I switched to the domed Plexiglas feeder and was able to put out mealworms and fruit for the EABB without seeing any other bird at the dome. I continued the dried and some fresh fruit in the platform for others. Yesterday the catbird, until now rarely seen in my yard, appeared in the dome, pigging out. He was back in it today, not at all bothered by my working only about 10' away. I have stopped putting any of the fruit in the dome in the hopes he will stick to the platform feeder. A good many fruit flies showing up on the fruit now, which would be good if hummingbird would show up. From: Jgandy8580"at"aol.com Last week I reported the surprise appearance of a catbird in my domed Plexiglas feeder where I put my mealworms and a small sample of the same fruit I put on the platform feeder. This was the first bird (other than EABB) to use the dome. Bluebyrder responded that she had had similar problem and solved it by lowering the dome. Sounded strange, as catbird is the smaller bird, but I lowered the dome about an inch. That didn't work, so I dropped it another 1/2 inch. Since then I have not seen catbird using the feeder. Only explanation I can come up with is EABB used to approaching box by coming up under the roof overhang and so is not discouraged by the dome overhang, while the catbird is. From: "fitz" smokem"at"chartermi.net We use an enclosed box-type feeder that has a 1 1/2" hole on each end so that Starlings can't get in. Actually it is a plastic rural mailbox in which we cut a hole on each end. We also cut a hole on the side for a window so that the birds can see inside and not panic at being enclosed. We placed a piece of clear Plexiglas over the hole. It's very roomy and the Bluebirds, Titmice, and Chickadees readily enter and exit one at a time (they are very polite to each other). At this time it is so cold that mealworms would freeze instantly so I have stockpiled peanut butter winter mix inside. Lowes Home Improvement stores have a smaller cedar one for about $20 but the parts for our mailbox feeder cost half that amount and it's much bigger. Also the end door drops down so that birds can go inside and get familiar with it but you can close it when the Starlings show up. A few days ago I left the door open for a while and a few scraps fell to the ground. Starlings appeared and jumped on the fallen peanut butter pieces. I closed the door. Soon there were two dozen Starlings sitting in the tree next to the feeder. There were also 5 Bluebirds. When a BB would try to go inside a Starling would fly down and try to knock the blue away. One ST would sit on top of the box and another would hang onto the hole but their big fat bodies wouldn' t allow them any further inside. They were persistent for a while then realized the futility of their efforts and flew away with nothing. It doesn't sound very benevolent but I did find myself saying, HA! HA! Anyway, the ST always seem to make it. They just flew over to the house next door and got some dry food out of the dog food dish while the dog was sleeping. They'll eat anything but they LOVE peanut butter. Yesterday, I saw one lone Starling in the tree off and on all day. Hopefully, they are learning that they won't find easy food here. Carol Fitz From: "Gary Springer" springer"at"alltel.net Gary Springer Carnesville, Georgia We've covered this before and after an observation I made yesterday, I am more convinced of the hazards of using bird feeders with round entrance holes. The danger is that birds that have no business entering nest boxes will begin to do so in search of food. When that happens they may find small squiggly nestlings which to most birds make a nice meal. I have a cage feeder constructed from one inch mesh which I want to use to feed tufted titmice but exclude house finches and gold finches. But the titmice can not enter because the mesh is too small. I opened up the mesh at one spot of the wire cage in which I place a small wooden dish to hold seeds. Then I attached a wooden block with an inch and a quarter round hole onto the side of the cage. I hoped the titmice would enter the hole and the finches would not. The titmice did not enter the hole so I started putting peanut butter on the block of wood and on the inside of the cage hoping to draw the titmice further and further into the cage until they learn the trick of entering the cage through the round entrance hole in the block of wood. As you know cardinals also eat peanut butter and they've been getting most of it. Well, yesterday I saw something I had never seen before in my life. A cardinal was fluttering in front of one of my wooden nest boxes. It seems likely the cardinal associated the round entrance hole in the nest box with the round entrance hole of the feeder containing peanut butter. it is bad enough that there are several cavity nesting birds entering nest boxes and destroying the eggs or nestlings of other cavity nesting birds. We don't need to increase the number of species entering nest boxes by enticing them into containers with round entrance holes in search of food. Gary Springer ----- Original Message ----- ... From: "Bruce Burdett" blueburd"at"tds.net I think that Gary's point is well taken. It can't be very good to "teach" birds that round holes mean foodstuffs. The are many other types of feeder-entrances that we can contrive, other than holes, starting with dowel-grills and various hardware cloth contraptions. In my own case, I gave up using enclosure-type (box-type) feeders long ago. Initially, when the Bluebirds refused to use the holes, I just removed the glass and left the sides open. I'll admit, though, that I don't have to cope with Starlings or House Sparrows. If I had those vermin, my method of dealing with them would be frowned upon (not p.c.)on this List, and I'd be branded as cruel, heartless, unfeeling, sadistic, etc......So I won't. Bruce Burdett, SW NH ... Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 09:07:52 -0500 I think you folks have convinced me. When I make my bluebird feeder, I'm
going to use the dowel method. I suppose there should be 1 1/2 inches From: "College Town" collegetown"at"I-55.com Hi. I have read several posts regarding the wooden plexiglass feeders and other homemade feeders, however I was wondering if the domed feeders would be a better choice. It is my understanding that you gradually lower the dome top till only the bluebirds can get to the mealworms. Last year was my first time with any experience with the bluebirds. I loved
every minute of it and I am so glad to see them back this year. My only Thanks for your comments. Kim Peterman From: "Jennifer" jelymo.rn"at"verizon.net Hi Kim and all, ----- Original Message ----- ... Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 13:23:54 -0500 Here is our 30 inches of Pennsyvaniva snow, my blues are desperate for some food, of which I have plenty. But the hell-creature (which, it turns out is a mockingbird and not a starling, as my mother-in-law was so kind to point out) won't let them anywhere near the dish. With no dowels in the workshop and being snowed in, I was forced to improvise. I ripped 1 1/2" strips from scrap plywood and nailed them around the perimeter of a 10" x 12" x 3/4" board leaving 1 1/2" gaps between each strip. It occured to me that the flat strips in place of the dowel bars might even act as a snow fence and help keep the snow off the food dish. Well, it's working like a charm. Blues took less than a minute to brave their way inside, but hell-bird took 5 or 10 minutes to figure out that he was wasting his time standing guard over a food supply he could not reach. It ain't exactly pretty. I'll work on that with my next feeder now that I've proved the concept with my own back yard critters. Also to be included in the next generation... easy "people" access to the food dish inside. I sort of nailed all the slats in place before I realized there was no way to get the food dish inside. :-O So I attached one slat with removable screw for now. Some type of a hinged trap door in the roof should do the trick in my next model. Thanks for the ideas and information everyone. From: "fitz" smokem"at"chartermi.net I have never seen a cardinal go inside a nest box. I believe that's what you said or implied--that the Cardinal went inside the nest box? Now that would be significant!! Merely witnessing the fluttering of just one Cardinal outside of a nest box hole doesn't have a whole lot of significance in my opinion. I have also never known of a Cardinal entering a nest box and eating nestlings but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened I suppose. And if it's EVER happened, I'll wager that it's never been on a wide enough scale to influence the perhaps thousands of people who have successfully used enclosed feeders with round entrance holes as a Starling deterrent. But to make your assertion after only one observation that round holes on a feeder could possibly cause nestlings inside a nestbox to be eaten by Cardinals is bizarre. One observation does not make it a scientific truth. At this time we just don't know what the significance of your observation was. It would need more study. If you and many others witnessed the same behavior over and over again I would put some credibility into what you have said. But I believe it would take generations of repeated trial and error by a bird species before its behavior would be altered enough to change an open-nesting, seed-eating bird such as a Cardinal into a voracious, meat-eating predator that enters Bluebird nest boxes and eats nestlings. I am not a scientist but I have enough common sense not to place too much belief into what you have said at this point. I'm not from Missouri but I still say "SHOW ME". I do not believe that round holes on enclosed feeders will be the reason that some birds change their innate behavior. Carol Fitz Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 14:40:40 -0500 My new "test concept" feeder has slats with 1 1/2 inches between them, about 9 inches in height. This morning I watched that blasted mockingbird waltz right though to help himself to a mealworm feast.Question: Should I add a horizontal slat halfway up the rails like some of the other plans I've seen, or move the slats so there is less open space between them (maybe 1 1/4 inches)? (Sigh.) My life was simple before I turned blue. From: "Fawzi P. Emad femad <at> fpemad <dot> com Check the site below. It has the best dimensions for the feeder of the style
you are building: Fawzi Fawzi Emad in Laytonsville, Maryland ----- Original Message ----- ... From: "Phil Kenny" philkenny1"at"cox.net Fawzi and list, I decided to try the "jail" style feeder. Much to my chagrin the starlings were able to get right through the dowel spaced at 1.5 inches apart. I decided to add a horizontal dowel, much along the lines of Fawzi's plans. This seems to keep the starlings out of the feeder, however, they are capable of putting their head and neck into the feeder quite far. I think what I need to do is build a larger feeder. If the feeder is large enough, then the food items can be in the center of the feeder well out of reach of the starlings long necks! Being limited in the tools department, and even more limited in the spare time department, I'm wondering if I couldn't build a feeder using dowels entirely for the sides. I know I could easily drill holes so that the dowels would be spaced 1.5 inches apart. I could then easily attach a horizontal dowel to form the lattice. I thought I could just cut a hole in the roof of the feeder and use a piece of glass to slide over the hole in a track system of mirror fasteners of some sort. I am curious if anyone has already tried something like this before of if anyone sees any problems or issues I might be overlooking. Phil Kenny Check the site below. It has the best dimensions for the feeder of ... From: "Fawzi P. Emad femad <at> fpemad <dot> com Hi Phil and all. The "jail" type feeder with dowels can be found at Jennabird. The space between the dowels should be less than 1.5". A good spacing would be 1-1/4 for dowels to 1-5/16" for slats. The height of the opening would be around 2" and the floor should be around 9 x 11" so the starlings would not be able to "neck" in and find the mealworms. The mealworms would be placed in dishes (such as empty cat food cans) away from the "jail bars." If you need more details, take a look at the other feeders, such as the one in the link at bottom of this page. I hope this is useful... Fawzi Fawzi Emad in Laytonsville, Maryland ----- Original Message ----- ... From: "fitz" smokem"at"chartermi.net Phil, Birds which use my mail box feeder include bluebirds, titmice, chickadees, and downy woodpeckers. The starlings try but can't reach the food from the outside and house sparrows have never gone inside. I feed winter lard-peanut butter-oatmeal mix and perhaps the HOSP don't care for it. It's easy to make and practical. It's proved itself to be a lifesaver for the bluebirds as well as other native birds and a deterrent to starlings. Carol Fitz From: "Crystal Hill" crystaljhill"at"msn.com Me again, with Bluebird mealworm feeder questions. The pair has been eating fine out of the feeder with one plastic side removed for 3-4 days. I put the side back on and they looked so confused. This morning the male was trying desperately to get to the mealworms, hitting the plastic sides, etc. I did see him poke his head in one of the holes briefly. The feeder has a hole on either end and one hole on just one of the plastic sides. Should I just remove the side and give up. I felt so sorry for them. Or should I just wait it out. (this is silly I know.) Crystal From: "bj boykin" bjgator"at"eatel.net I would just keep the side open...and close it from time to time and see if they get the hint. How about get a plastic cup and pin it right at the hole with a few worms...good luck. I have a feeder and have had no luck with it yet.. bobbie From: Gretchen Hughes, lghughes"at"
joink.com
Loren Hughes-Pres.
East Central IL Bluebird Society From: Evelyn Cooper , emcooper"at"bayou.com I just received an e-mail asking me about a feeder that a Mockingbird could not get to. They told me the Wild Bird Center directed them to me. I thought that the dome feeder would be the feeder that excluded all larger birds. Please let me know if this is correct or is there any other kind that would work better. I just have an open type feeder and since I feed Black Oil Sunflower seeds to all the other birds, they don't bother the raisins and peanut butter ball on the feeder for the Bluebirds. Thanks, Evelyn Cooper From: MJShearer, eshearer"at"comcast.net To Exclude Mockers Wild Birds Unlimited has a feeder called the "Eliminator Bird Feeder" that can be adjusted to eliminate large birds and squirrels. It is weight activated, so the seed ports close when a large bird or squirrel attempts to feed. The perches can also be adjusted (shortened) to discourage large birds. On the subject of WBU, I noticed quite a few House Sparrows outside the store, and the manager told me that he feeds HOSPs so customers will see "wild birds" when they visit the store. Does anyone know if this is WBU policy, or is it just this store's policy? He was aware of the problems caused by these alien birds..... MJ Mary Jane Shearer From: Maynard
R Sumner, m-r-sumner"at"juno.com Evelyn, I use one of the cage inside a cage. Duncraft has a lot of them. You can go to www.duncraft.com Maynard Sumner Flint, MI From: Debi Money, dmoney"at"getatlas.com Hi, List, What are the recommendations on how close to place BB feeders to the nest box? I think mine is too close. Will it scare off BB's if it is too close? Thanks! debi money Spfld. MO NABS Member From: Bruce Burdett, blueburd"at"tds.net Debi, et al, It's not a question of whether the Bluebirds will be scared off by feeders that are too close to nestboxes. It's more a question of whether unwanted creatures: - predators, vandals, competitors, mischiefs, curiosity-seekers, - will be attracted to the vicinity of your nestboxes. The farther away you can keep feeders from nestboxes, the less likely they are to pull 'coons, squirrels, hawks, mice, rats, even bears, etc. to the neighborhood of your nesting operation. Feeders too close to nestboxes are not a guarantee of trouble, but they increase the likelihood of it. You want your nesters to be LEFT ALONE as much as possible, except for your own occasional monitoring. Bruce Burdett, SW NH P.S. Don't laugh. Up here in NH we've learned that bears love both suet and sunflower seeds, and they're curious about EVERYTHING. 'Coons also love suet. From: BJ Boykin, bjgator"at"eatel.net One of my feeders is within 15 feet......never had a problem and my house has four eggs. Bobbie Boykin Prairieville, La. From: XXX, Rebecca I feed my blues right at the box. The blues have come back to this box year after year. They've even kicked house wrens out of it. I figure they might be willing to relinquish bed, but not bed & board. Rebecca J. Columbia MD From: Keith & Sandy Kridler [mailto:txbluebirder"at"sbcglobal.net] Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 8:44 AM To: BLUEBIRD-L Subject: Avian Pox and other contagious diseases Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant Texas Avian Pox, Newcastle and Avian Bird Flu are just three contagious diseases that are spread quickly from bird to bird. These are more serious when birds tend to flock together but any bird sharing food or water contaminated with feces or even from preening feathers of an infected bird can or could get the disease. Some species are more resistant to the disease or some individual birds are more likely to survive an infection. Some can survive but be a deadly carrier as with Aids in humans. Avian bird flu in Asia has killed millions of water birds and even Peregrine Falcons have been found killed by this flu. Supposedly they fed on sick birds. Birds wintering in Asia are carrying the disease back to breeding grounds in Russian states. Most commercial poultry operations will vaccinate their birds to protect them from a virus such as those listed above. They take a tiny one once vial of vaccine, mix it in 30 gallons of water and lightly spray the feathers of 5,000 adult poultry. The birds preen their feathers and pick up the vaccine and are immune to that particular disease.....On the other hand bio-terrorists can use the same methods to contaminate all the livestock in a region with a single vial of virus diluted with water and sprinkled on grain at a feedmill. More than 250 million chickens have been killed this year (about a billion pounds of meat) because they were infected with Avian Bird Flu. Hand Painted chicken eggs were banned for Easter decorations this year coming out of Mexico because Newcastle disease is showing up there again. A person picking up a hand decorated egg laid by a hen that is infected with Newcastle disease can then carry the virus to their chickens or parakeets or spread the disease to their bird feeders. Infected Goldfinches can leave my feeders this week and be in Canada the first of May.....It is hard to believe what a fragile world we live in. Have you disinfected your bird bath and bird feeders lately? Have you ever smuggled an item across an international border? KK From: Elizabeth Zimmerman [mailto:ezdz"at"charter.net] I just have to say how impressed I was with the response! Gregory Clark got back to me right away, and told me the flyer was supplied by the maker of the feeder, and indicated that he brought the issue to the builder's attention, and in the interim Afton is replacing the flyer with the current NABs version. He also got in touch with Steve Garr at NABS. Then I got a second follow-up that Clark heard from the builder and he is consulting with NABS to update his flyer. (I was also impressed that the San Diego Zoo got back to Cher in such a timely manner.) I wish more enterprises were this responsive to customer feedback and inquiry!! Bet from CT *PS the feeder is pretty neat - coated wire on either side of the feeding platform so it feels more "open" inside - I was having trouble getting bluebirds to go inside for the mealworms in some of my other feeders. It's at http://store.aftonmountainwildlife.com/evblfebybade.html . I ended up drilling 1.5" holes in either side, and putting an eyehook on it to keep squirrels from opening it up. I like this design because, like a jailhouse feeder, it excludes larger birds. From: Paula [mailto:PaulaZ"at"columbus.rr.com] Bet, I like the look of the feeder with the 1 1/2" holes added that you referenced. I am guessing that the wire mesh has open spaces of approximately 1 1/2" too so the bluebirds can enter this way? It is difficult to tell from the picture, but it looks as though the bottom of the feeder is flush with the wire - i.e. no wood sticking out where EUST could grab a good foothold? Regarding jailhouse feeder design, I can tell you from experience that unless you install wood strip about halfway up on both sides, the jailhouse does not prevent larger birds from eating the food. They can easily stick their heads and chests in with the original design. I had EUST mob my jailhouse feeder last winter. I installed some wood strips on it this fall and I think this may stop them. I also had to put my feeder on a pole with baffle to keep the squirrels out. Last year, one had chewed through a rung and packed his entire squirrel self in that feeder. His buddy was sitting on top and his other buddy was sitting on the ground under the feeder waiting for fallout. Paula Z Powell (Central) Ohio FROM: Bet Zimmerman http://www.sialis.org/feederafm.htm - I posted a few pix here so you can see what this feeder looks like (made by http://www.backyarddesigns.com) - for those who are handier than I, it probably wouldn't be hard to make if you could find the mesh, which I can't. (I had been looking for some for a feeder because the red and gray squirrels kept chewing through mine to get at suet until I put a baffle on.) The mesh is coated green, and the resulting spaces are exactly 1.5" apart. It is not flush with the front as you can see from the photo - it sits in a slot. It might be better to have it flush as long as the sharp edges didn't stick out. It opens from the top (the roof is hinged.) Inside is a little cat food tin (painted gold) with velcro on the bottom to keep it from getting pulled out/slipping towards the edges where larger birds could stick their heads in and chow. I have it hanging from a shepherd's crook - it doesn't come set up for a pole mount. (I've read that bluebirds don't like hanging feeders, but they have no choice at my house and it doesn't seem to bother them.) The blues STILL prefer to eat off the roof (which is why I put a cat food tin on top) but will go in and out of the open sides when the tin on top is empty. It's attractive and well made - the quality of wood is nice. Cher, The flyer I referred to that came with the feeder said ""It is a proven fact that baby bluebirds fledge earlier and healthier, along with having a higher survival rate when receiving a steady diet of mealworms during the first two weeks of life." Folks on the BBL started questioning the research behind it, so I inquired with NABS and it turned out no one there was familiar with any research proving this either (it WOULD be an interesting subject to evaluate.) Bet From: Dottie Roseboom [mailto:rosedot"at"mtco.com] Bet, many home&garden departments sell that type of mesh, for all types of gardening activities. Look around the chicken wire section. BTW, I love that word "ploppage". Dottie Roseboom Peoria IL (central - zone 5) From: Cher [mailto:bluebirdnut"at"a-znet.com] ...This looks like a great feeder! I've used one with the plexi sides, and the Blues freak out once they get inside. I'm currently using the Droll Yankee X-1, but I dislike the "plastic" look of it. In fact, I was thinking of painting it to make it more "natural"-looking (don't shoot me, I'm not REALLY obsessed with painting -- although we are currently redecorating my daughter's bedroom -- but I DO take photos of my Blues at the feeder, and the more attractive the feeder, the better the photo. And since Wendell refuses to rent me his photogenic dead stick, I'm somewhat limited in my studio equipment). But I'm digressing -- Bet, please let us know how the Blues like the feeder. I would consider replacing mine with this one if it works well at keeping out the EUST. How does it open? Hinged on one side of the roof, or otherwise? ... Cher From: Elizabeth Zimmerman [mailto:ezdz"at"charter.net] Larry Broadbent found an online source of 1.5" vinyl-coated wire mesh for bird feeders (the type used in the bird feeder I posted earlier about - see pix at http://www.sialis.org/feederafm.htm ). See Ketcham Supply Corp: Please call us at (508)997-4787 And we'd be happy to help you out. From: Paula [mailto:PaulaZ"at"columbus.rr.com] Bet, Thanks for the information. The absolute key to this design working is the 1.5" spacing in the mesh to allow EABL to enter and exit safely. I was able to find it in internet it you are interested at: http://www.cudjoesales.com/catalog/wire.html The can with velcro on it is good idea too. I just dump the food in my jailhouse feeder and it gets near the edges. Other big birds are already availing themselves of the food: blue jays, red headed woodpeckers, etc. It will be interesting to see if the partitions I put on the jailhouse feeder will really discourage EUST. I kind of doubt it, but we'll see. Let me know it the mesh keeps EUST out of your feeder. EUST generally don't find my feeder until later in the winter - last winter it was January 22 and then I was mobbed. I think your addition of two 1.5" holes on either side of the feeder is important design addition also. They are used to entering nestboxes and other feeders with such holes. It gives them yet another exit point if they get flustered or confused when first using the feeder too. I also have a small plexiglass feeder which does work well to keep the EUST totally out of it IF you remove the little perch platforms that came with the feeder (which I did). Paula From: Elizabeth Zimmerman [mailto:ezdz"at"charter.net] Paula, thanks for the additional source. (Ketcham's vinyl coated 1.5 x 1.5 mesh is 16 gauge, this one is 12.5 gauge - see http://www.lobstering.com/vinyl.htm). Sounds like Ketcham will accommodate small orders, minimum at Cudjoe below is 60 lbs. Haven't seen any starlings at this feeder YET. Bet [Note from webmaster: The lower the gauge, the heavier the wire] From: Autumn L. Kruer [mailto:autumnk"at"iglou.com] Anymore, I either rotate feeder spots, or don't put them out at all because they invariable draw hawks. When it snows, I put out some seed on the ground near cover and rotate the places often. Mr. Hawk may need to eat, too, but I'm certainly not going to bait his dinner for him anymore. :-) Autumn in Kentucky From: Burnham, Barbara [mailto:Barbara.Burnham"at"zzz.zzz] Horace, This is a very good question! In my humble opinion: Remove the seed feeders, period. At the very least, discontinue feeding other birds during nesting season. I don't believe you can have both seed feeders and nestboxes together, and not be worried about the hawks. The hawks have to learn where to hunt, and seed feeders offer lots of opportunities for them. The bluebirds may be so desperate to nest, they will take the risk. Why set them up for death? Many predators will know when it is time for babies to fledge from the nestbox (by sounds, activities, or smells), and a hawk may be just waiting for the opportunity to take these vulnerable, chubby little morsels, who cannot easily escape. I have even witnessed bluebird parents encourage babies to fledge BECAUSE of the nearby presence of a hawk, perhaps causing them to fledge too soon. Barbara Burnham Ellicott City, MD
According to The Dynamics of Bird Feeding (interesting brochure) "Birds gathering at feeders may attract wild predators, such as sharpshinned and Cooper's hawks. One study found that mourning doves suffered most from hawk predation, followed by house sparrows. Placing feeders near escape cover such as trees and shrubs helps, as does simply a well planted yard. Probably the "rare" part depends on where you're located. If you don't have too many blues, even low predation can have a significant impact. Copy of brochure is at http://www.sialis.org/documents/DYN2001.pdf Bet from CT From: Jeff Aufmann [mailto:jaufmann"at"ameritech.net] Sent: Friday, December 03, 2004 9:35 AM Subject: RE: Hawk hanging around feeders? I agree with Barbara. I take my bulk seed feeder down when the warmer weather sets in. The best reason is that it starts to fill up with Hosp where they are rarely around it in the winter months. Jeff, Cary, IL
I have had as good success using 2 hole boxes as single hole boxes. I do not see any preference on the part of the bluebirds and thankfully, have never lost any to HOSP's. Betty Nichols had extensive bluebirding experience and believed strongly that the second hole would give a BB a fighting chance to escape an attack. I build my boxes and feeders and can provide any info you might want on size specifications. Steve From: Larry A Broadbent [mailto:rockets"at"mnsi.net] Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2004 1:52 AM Subject: Re: Two or One Entrance Holes? Hi Steve, Great looking 2 hole nestbox and also the mealworm feeder. Did you build these yourself? What color stain ( type of stain) did you use on the roof of your mealworm feeder? Regards, Larry A Broadbent Chatham, ON Canada From: paradocs2 [mailto:paradocs2"at"adelphia.net] Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2004 8:17 PM Subject: RE: Two or One Entrance Holes? Sorry I've been so slow to reply. I build the boxes and feeders myself, modified versions of what I have seen and purchased from others in years gone by. Home Depot sells the stain (on each of the 2 feeders I have). I cannot find the name and type of the one in the photo but I do not like it very much because it is more like a paint and sits on top of the wood, as opposed to a "stain" which thoroughly penetrates the wood. I therefore prefer Minwax Water Based Wood Stain (clear base) colored to preference. I think the color Baltic Green is closest to what I am using, if you look at the Minwax website... http://www.minwax.com/products/woodstain/waterbased-color.cfm Let me know if you have any other questions or ideas. Thanks, Steve From: Chris&Crystal Hill [mailto:crystaljhill"at"msn.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2005 7:44 AM Subject: Mealworm Feeder Question I just recently purchased a mealworm feeder that is enclosed with
1.5 holes on either end and one on one of the plexi sides, mounted
on pole with baffle. For one week I left the top open and one plexi
side removed. I had the Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Carolina Wren,
and Cardinals eating. I just yesterday put the side on and close the
lid. I eliminated the Cardinals obviously they can't enter the hole
diameter, but the only bird going in to eat is the Carolina Wren. Will
the Chickadees and Tufted Titmice enter? I feel sorry for them they
seem confused... Also my Blues leave for the winter, when/if they return
as they have in previous years to nest in one of our yard boxes will
they enter the feeder? Crystal Hill From: Dottie Roseboom [mailto:rosedot"at"mtco.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2005 11:12 AM Subject: Fw: Mealworm Feeder Question I think that the Chickadees & T Titmice will eventually learn to use the feeder. It's been my experience that these 2 species are very reluctant to immediately pursue anything that has been changed. Chickadees, especially, will eventually sneak in & be quickly back out. As they feel more comfortable, they might linger longer. Dottie Roseboom From: Paula [mailto:PaulaZ"at"columbus.rr.com] Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 10:17 AM Subject: Re: Mealworm Feeder Question Crystal, The birds I have seen enter my plexiglass feeder include Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White Breasted Nuthatches, Eastern Bluebirds, Carolina Wrens, and the ubiquitous House Sparrow. They can all learn to use it. I am testing several different feeder designs this winter to see what native birds and I prefer. I have a plexiglass, jailhouse, and just ordered a wire mesh feeder. All these designs have their benefits and drawbacks IMHO. The feeders are designed for mealworm feeding in the spring/summer months to the best of my knowledge. Using them year round for suet mixes in the winter, as I do, brings up some new design challenges. I want to be able to accomodate as many birds as I can without feeding the flock of EUST that descends upon me every winter. The EUST are not a problem in the spring/summer months when I feed only mealworms, but I believe that some design modifications are necessary for winter feeding. For winter feeding, benefits of plexiglass feeder include: inaccessible by EUST when (my feeder came with these) little perch platforms below the entry holes are removed, and easy opening hinged top allows for easy filling/cleaning. Disadvantages include: can only accomodate a few birds at a time, plexiglass quickly gets dirty from fat in suet mixes, limited to fewer bird species than some of the other feeders, birds often act nervous/anxious in this feeder, all the birds prefer my jailhouse feeder, and it is difficult for me to view the birds in this feeder. Benefits of jailhouse feeder include: accomodates many birds at a time as EABL can perch shoulder to shoulder along both sides of feeder and two or three can hop in there and eat also; accomodates more species - woodpeckers, cardinals, juncos, house finches can perch and stick head through bars to eat; all birds prefer it over plexiglass design; easier to view birds eating. Disadvantages include: EUST can access and DO (explain more below); roof is hinged for adding food/cleaning, but opening is a little narrow for my big hands; if a squirrel gets access to your feeder, he will chew through the wooden dowels in no time (I replaced mine with metal dowels). Watching the antics of the EUST at this feeder is frustrating and
intriguing. The 1/4" dowels are at 1 1/2" centers so the
actual space between the bars is 1 1/4". EABL have no trouble
getting through this space, and I have some EUST that can climb through
the bars too. I watch them and I can see what Keith and others are
talking about when they warn against oval entry holes on nestboxes.
The EUST sticks his head between bars, sort of twists at about a 45
degree angle, pulls his wings back, and in he goes. Not all of them
go in. Most just thrust their heads in from the side, but they can
easily thrust head in 3 inches and so effectively have access to the
entire feeder. They will also stick their heads in the side hole, but
have more difficulty here. I just ordered a 1 1/2" mesh feeder and I will see how/if it thwarts EUST better than the jailhouse and whether the birds like it as well. Paula Z From: Chris&Crystal Hill [mailto:crystaljhill"at"msn.com] Well I just happen to be home today and I watched a very timid Carolina Chickadee enter the mealworm feeder behind what I assume to be a regular, went in and out with ease. Well the little one went in and he could not get out. My feeder is enclosed with 2 plexi sides. One side has an entrance hole the other side does not and I have applied electrical tape so they will know it is a solid side. Well for 2-3 minutes the little one just struggled. Then our regular Carolina Wren pair showed up one entered while the Chickadee was still inside. I got a little worried (as I have not seen more than one bird species at a time in the feeder since I put it up a few months ago) and went out the Wren of course flew out but the Chickadee sat still. I opened the top and the little one flew out after a few seconds. Anyone else had trouble with this, it worries me especially if we are not here to help them................ Crystal Hill Photo below of CAWR from today........... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/cjhill/CAWR3-11-05.jpg From: Bluebyrder"at"aol.com Sent: Friday, March 11, 2005 8:08 PM Subject: Re: Enclosed Mealworm Feeders-Possible Danger I have been aware of this problem for at least 7 years. I know of several people who have found dead or confused Bluebirds in these enclosed feeders. When people ask me about type of feeder to use when offering mealworms, I always discourage them from choosing this type. There have been several suggestions offered to help with this problem. Some people smear mud on the side of the clear windows so that they birds don't think that it is how they are supposed to exit the feeder. Other have put a big "X" across the window with electrical tape. I know that it makes it less enjoyable for you to watch them feeding in such a feeder if you use either of those solutions, on the other hand, if you came home and found a dead Bluebird (or other desirable bird) in the feeder, I am sure you would be heartbroken. Some people simply leave the lid of the feeder open, or take out one of the clear sides to resolve the problem. Of course, if you chose this style feeder to discourage larger birds from being able to get to the mealworms, that solution will not work for you. Haleya and Fawzi designed a feeder that allows Bluebirds (and other smaller birds) to enter the feeder, while not allowing for larger birds to get to the mealworms. I am sure that those feeder plans are available at the Best of the Bluebird-L website, or at the Mazzzchusetts Bluebird Society's website. Good luck, and let us know what solution you choose to fix the problem. Diane Barbin Harrisburg, PA From: Elizabeth Zimmerman [mailto:ezdz"at"charter.net] Bet Subject: Re: Enclosed Mealworm Feeders-Possible Danger Well, I am looking into getting, the style feeder like this one...........I
have problems with Mockingbird...........so this might help.........and
be safer for the birds............... Subject: Re: Enclosed Mealworm
Feeders-Possible Danger Yes, this is a good one to get. The birds can get in and out okay. Maynard Sumner Subject: Re: Enclosed Mealworm
Feeders-Possible Danger Crystal et al, I have three different bluebird feeders in my yard: plexiglass, Evergreen mesh feeder (the one you referenced, Crystal), and the Jenna Bird jailhouse feeder. My first feeder was the plexiglass one. I have had birds enter the feeder and get confused, and I once opened the feeder to let a frantic bird out. No birds have ever died in it. The plexiglass feeder is essentially European Starling (EUST) proof, but it is not preferred by me or the EABL. The Evergreen feeder is a nice feeder, but I had to drill 1 1/2" holes on either end of the feeder for the EABL to figure it out. EABL are very familiar with holes and readily enter and exit through them. The mesh can be a bit confusing to them at first. I think the safest and best EABL feeders have two different means of exit and entry - holes and mesh, or holes and bars. That way, if a bird enters and gets scared or confused, it has another way out. With these feeders, it is very important to keep your food in the middle of the feeder. This mitigates food stealing by larger birds such as EUST or mockingbirds. The ideal feeder would be much like the evergreen, but with a wider floor to eliminate EUST access to the food in the middle. Paula Z Subject: Re: Enclosed Mealworm Feeders-Possible Danger Hi Paula, These will be produced for sale to interested individuals and to wild bird stores. Shalom, Subject: RE: Enclosed Mealworm Feeders-Possible Danger When a bird is confused and cannot figure out how to exit the feeder
with plexiglass sides, instead of opening the top of the feeder to
release the bird, place a small towel over the feeder to darken the
plexiglas sides, yet leave the wooden side openings available. This
will help the bird learn where to exit, and will not frighten them
as much as the big human. From: Evelyn Cooper [mailto:emcooper"at"bayou.com] Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2005 4:57 PM Subject: RE: Okay, So Where Is Spring..... ... a question for someone to tell you how far away from the feeders should the nestbox be. Mine was about 20 ft. until I moved it right in the backyard so I could see them while I am sitting on the couch. Now, they are about 40 ft. It is better to have at least that much distance as they do attract other birds too. Don't be discouraged. I had my nestbox out 2 years in my yard before I had a taker and I had seen a pair for years in the edge of the woods next to my yard. Evelyn From: Jimmy Dodson [mailto:rocks_and_flies"at"hotmail.com] Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2005 12:18 AM Subject: Re: Need advise. [In response to a discussion about the distance between a feeder and a nestbox] I would suggest in the neighborhood of 100' minimum, but farther if you can do it. Most birds don't like buildling nests close to feeders b/c of the I know the BB Monit's Manual has a suggestion on min dist? Someone have it Jimmy Dodson From: Jimmy Dodson [mailto:rocks_and_flies"at"hotmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 9:47 PM Subject: Re: No Hatchings yet:( I have a 4 AM possum that has decided it likes mealies... this is going to be an interesting battle. Also have a gray squirrel with a between a 6.5 and 7' vertical straight off the ground... another interesting battle! I couldn't believe it when I saw it the other day, so I measured to the feeder base he's grabbing... it's just shy of 6' 8"! At that point he can swing up onto the baffle, sit, and I'll let you know! :) --J From: Bill Stump [mailto:bstump"at"bright.net] Trish Culpepper wrote: Trish, I found a large, straight-sided, seed "hopper" style feeder (with glass or clear plastic sides and wooden ends) and drilled a Bill From: Trish Culpepper [mailto:trishkcully"at"earthlink.net] Bill...I saw one of those yesterday at Wal-Mart and wondered if it might work for that...if holes were drilled to the proper size. Thanks for the tip! From: Judy Carver [mailto:njcarver"at"siu.edu] Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2005 9:28 AM Subject: Re: Meal Worm Feeders Trish, My husband built one for me that works great, and few other birds can use it...it is interesting that the bbs seem to allow certain small birds to share, but chase others away. The feeder is a rectangular box, 10 or 12" long and about 61/2" tall, made of a sturdy wood, but the ends are plexiglass with a 1 1/2" hole drilled in each for easy entry and exit. The roof is flat, which helps when you're trying to attract the birds...you can put worms on the roof, and they sit up there to pound the worms. The plexiglass ends allow the birds to see movement inside. I think this was very easy to build, except for drilling the hole in the plexiglass...I think that took some experimentation. With a feeder you have a much better opportunity to enjoy the birds, I think. They leave when babies fledge, but always bring the babies back to the feeder after a few weeks. I whistle when I put worms out, and they learn this after a while, and fly right over to get the worms before someone else does. Judy From: Bob Foster [mailto:rfoster37"at"cox.net] Can anyone tell me how to get my bluebirds interested in the mealworm feeder? I constructed one based on instructions that I found on the web and set it out next to my porch flower boxes where I've been placing the mealworms. Instead of plastic I used some left-over fiberglass screen for the sides and top. The holes are 1 and 1/2 inches at either end. It's not pretty, but I think it should do the trick. From: Bet Zimmerman [mailto:ezdz"at"charter.net] Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 2:40 PM Subject: RE: Meal Worm Feeders http://www.sialis.org/bluebirdstore.htm#feeder has a list of suppliers – the Evergreen version has 1.5” mesh wire that only bluebirds, and smaller birds can get through. (Beware, once chickadees, nuthatches and titmice find the feeder, they’ll eat whatever they can, so it’s best to only put out 5-10/bird at a time. NABS has a VERY reasonably priced jailhouse feeder, which I’m guessing birds like better than the mesh or the Plexiglass sided ones – see foto at http://nabluebirdsociety.org/catalog/images/jail_L.jpg Ordering at http://nabluebirdsociety.org/catalog/suppliers.htm Bet From: Bill Stump [mailto:bstump"at"bright.net] Bob, Maybe the wire mesh makes them feel too confined. Mine has clear plastic sides and it doesn't seem to bother them a bit. Even the "youngsters" don't hesitate much, especially when mom and dad are around. I also have had to go out and lift the lid a time or two when a youngster couldn't figure out how to get out. Bill From: Bet Zimmerman [mailto:ezdz"at"charter.net] Starlings here figured my upside suet feeder out in a hurry. It takes them longer to decimate the suet but they still do it. The grackles also recently learned to eat from it. The only one they really can’t get in is a pricey cage within a cage suet covered suet feeder I got from Duncraft http://www.duncraft.com/merchant.ihtml?pid=1020&lastcatid=19&step=4 (called a baffled suet feeder) but the problem with this one is that big woodpeckers can’t feed from the bottom since it has a floor. It does keep the suet nice and dry though, with the roof. Bet from CT From: Paula [mailto:PaulaZ"at"columbus.rr.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 10:56 AM Subject: Evergreen Bluebird Feeder After I posted preceding e-mail, I found the feeder at: As an afterthought, people may have difficulty "teaching" EABL to use a feeder during winter months. The best time to introduce a feeder is in the spring when they come to your yard to check out your nest boxes. Years ago, I started feeding mealworms to a nesting pair in small plastic lid on the ground which I eventually moved to the feeder. They found them, taught their fledglings, and now they have all figured it out I guess. Paula Z From: bluebirdsnbirdfeeders"at"gmail.com [mailto:bluebirdsnbirdfeeders"at"gmail.com] Hello, From: bluebirdsnbirdfeeders"at"gmail.com [mailto:bluebirdsnbirdfeeders"at"gmail.com] Thank you all for your replies. They were helpful. I had one more question. Can mealworms climb out of a feeder if the feeder has a 90 degree edge on it? If they can or can't, how tall does the edge need to be? Thanks, ... From: Bruce Burdett [mailto:blueburd"at"verizon.net] I use small Corningware (glass) dessert dishes to feed mealworms. The sides are slippery enough and steep enough so that the worms cannot crawl out. These are the dishes of about 5" diameter. You can put them wherever you want them - on a feeder, on a deck, on a railing, or even, I suppose, on the ground. They collect rainwater, of course, which is a negative, but I have drilled weepholes in them with a glass-drilling bit. From: Torrey [mailto:torrey_canyon"at"yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 6:13 PM Subject: OT bird feeders & disease The warm-ish, rainy-ish January we've been having (more rain forecast for this weekend, of course) has resulted in an increase of "sick bird" calls to the Research Office. These birds have been seen at feeders, acting lethargic & being puffed up. (We had a sick junco here last week.) The most likely disease is salmonella. (Their eyes were fine, so it's not the House Finch eye gunk.) We've been recommending that people take their feeders down & clean them thoroughly (& perhaps wait a few days before putting them back up) & that they clean up the accumulated seed hulls & bird poop under the feeders. This month's weather has been perfect for disease build up. It's been consistently warmer than normal (today was about 20*F above average), it's been damp & humid (snow is essentially "dry"), & it's been cloudy (UV rays kill germs). If your area has been having similarly weird weather, please pay attention to the birds at your feeders. Torrey Wenger From: rob barron [mailto:rebel1956"at"comcast.net] Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 6:31 PM Subject: RE: OT bird feeders & disease Hi Torrey, That was a great, informative email. When I took animal pathology I was amazed at all the potential diseases that could be spread by bird feeders. I've almost completely gone to metal or plastic bird feeders that can be easily disassembled and run through the dishwasher. I'll pay more attention to sweeping up the hulls and keep emptying and bleaching my bird baths (why do they have to poop in their water?). Thanks again, From: Bet Zimmerman [mailto:ezdz"at"charter.net] Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2006 11:49 AM Subject: feeders for suet and mealworm Sheila wrote: "My blues are in full swing going after the banquet suet. But I can't put it out for Sheila, have you tried a cage within a cage feeder for suet? Duncraft has a nice (pricey) one, easy to refill, but it doesn't allow access to larger woodpeckers I have another that is a cage within a cage where woodpeckers can feed from the bottom, but I just got one of new The Bluebird Nut feeders http://www.bluebirdnut.com/Feeder.htm that I'm Bet from CT Suet recipes (including Bluebird Banquet reprinted with permission) at From: Sara Ann [mailto:sawright"at"direcway.com] Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2006 3:00 PM Subject: Re: feeders for suet and mealworm My goodness, Bet, both of those feeders look a little pricey to me! I think I 'll check down in the barn for wire. And I can envision an aluminum pie plate for the roof and floor. Now that my BBs are finally eating from the mealworm feeder, I 'm trying to figure out all sorts of other feeders for them. Thanks for the ideas! Sara Ann From: bluebirdsnbirdfeeders"at"gmail.com [mailto:bluebirdsnbirdfeeders"at"gmail.com] Hello to all, ... From: Trish Culpepper [mailto:trishkcully"at"earthlink.net] Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 3:00 AM Subject: Re: J-molding on mealworm feeders Bet....I tried several different mealworm feeders. "My BBs" didn't like the Evergreen feeder, so I took the plastic cup out of that and just set it inside my wooden feeder with the plexiglass sides and the BB holes on each end. The BBs I observed also won't use the end holes and don't like the plexiglass sides, so I removed just one side and set the cup in the corner. From: Bet Zimmerman [mailto:ezdz"at"charter.net] Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 9:29 AM Subject: RE: J-molding on mealworm feeders Dan sent me a photo of the plastic lip he was talking about for his feeders - it is an upside down J Bluebirds here didn't seem to like the plexiglass0sided feeders with wooden ends with entrance Bet from CT From: Sara Ann [mailto:sawright"at"direcway.com] Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 9:57 AM Subject: Fw: J-molding on mealworm feeders The only mealworm feeder I'm using is a hanging plexiglass dish with a dome cover. Now that the BB are using it, they sit on their favorite limbs overhead every morning, just waiting. Some days, they are even waiting in the feeder, staring intently, as if to say 'those darn worms will appear any minute now!' Once I (finally!) trained the BB to come to a small dish with mealworms on the ground, I placed the dish inside the feeder, also on the ground. I raised the dome as high as it would go initially. After several days, I hung the feeder on a small wrought iron stand. The BB weren't ever fazed by any of these changes. Then every couple of days, I lowered the dome lid so now the larger birds can't get into the feeder. I got this feeder at Wild Birds Unlimited, which may be a chain..........dunno. Sara Ann Wright From: Trish Culpepper [mailto:trishkcully"at"earthlink.net] Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 11:17 AM Subject: Re: J-molding on mealworm feeders Hi Sara! Yes, Wild Birds Unlimited is a chain. I love that store!! I also tried the feeder you describe and the BBs wouldn't have any part of it. From: Tree Greenwood [mailto:doctree"at"crosslink.net] Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 8:12 PM Subject: Feeder Training Bluebirds (was "Re: Fw: J-molding ...") Sara Ann, I was going to send post about training Bluebirds but you beat me to it. My wife if in the process of training a new EABB pair, moving the open-dish feeder a few steps a day toward the plexi-glass sided feeder. I think one key is getting their attention the first time. My wife warmed some mealworms so they were 'wiggly' Now it's just slowly moving them and their food to the permanent location of the feeder. They already watch for my wife and associate her with food. Take care, R J 'Tree' Greenwood From: jwick"at"tds.net [mailto:jwick"at"tds.net] Sent: Monday, April 03, 2006 10:23 AM Subject: Re: Location of mealworm feeder> One solution that solves all problems neatly is an enclosed mealworm > feeder - You don't have to watch the feeder to shoo the bully birds > away, because they can't get inside the feeder to steal the worms. The > worms are protected from direct sun and rain. And hawks or cats can't > get at the Blues while they're feeding inside. Absolutely true, as long as you use a "jail" style mealworm feeder. When using a plexiglass-sided one with "new-to-an-enclosed-mealworm-feeder," :) Ann Wick From: Sheila Rogers [mailto:sheilarogers"at"charter.net] Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 6:55 PM Subject: Had a scare with one of the Fledglings:( One of the baby Fledges decided to try on his own to get his own food. Well he got into the meal wormer feeder...but couldn't get out. Just happen to look in my scope and found him/her kick boxing and doing this weird dance...like panicking:( Ran out side and opened the roof and he flew off and chirped to say " Thank You":) Ma/Pa weren't in view at all, thinking I would get dive bombed; which they have been doing all day to the squirrels getting to close to the Fledglings. It's 102 here today, I would of hate to of found it dead:( 110 by Saturday:( Blues our building a nest, lot's of activity. Sheila Continued in Part 4 |
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