Will woodpeckers use this filled w/ birdseed &amp; sunflower seed? I am moving &amp; have to remove my woodpecker feeder &amp; hope they will eat from this feeder
784564
Yes, we have woodpeckers at this feeder. We only use sunflower seeds. It was a great buy!!
1421960
I just tried it with sunflower seeds and it worked fine. I don't see any need for spreading bird seed.
261537
I think only thistle seed(nyjer) or a seed that small would work in this squirrel buster finch feeder because the feed hole is so very small. Larger seeds like sunflower would not-the birds could not access larger seeds.The classic squirrel buster feeder works well for black sunflower seed(I have one of those also, rate it 5 stars).
309925
It took 2-3 weeks before the birds really started coming to mine. I was second guessing my expensive purchase every day! I set up a birdbath nearby....put seed on the grass underneath...bought nice fresh black sunflower seeds ( they're not so wild about the millet/seed mixes I've found..) The finches also LOVE safflower seed! NOW I have so many birds I wish I didn't have to fill it so often. Try the birdbath nearby and the seed underneath.
940235
Actually, what we use are black oil sunflower seeds. Definitely for Chickadees, one of my wife's favorite birds!
839907
Hi Christine, Thanks for your question. In response, yes absolutely, this bird feeder works great for Cardinals & Red Bellied Woodpeckers. Basically, we typically see our customers use black oil sunflower seeds and fill the center portion (called the seed tank). When filled, some seeds stick out, and due to the double cage design, it allows birds to be able to stick their head/beak in between the outer cage holes and get to the seeds without problem. However, Squirrels cannot fit their heads or mouths through the outer holes as its too small and uncomfortable. Hope this helps! Mark ======= Skinny Squirrel Cages
1663010
Yes, a red-bellied woodpecker is a regular visitor. The feed we use is a mix that contains sunflower seeds in the shell. It prefers the peanuts we put out periodically but will angle itself to get the sunflower seeds and sometimes sit atop the shepherd's crook that holds the birdfeeder to open one. We also get the smaller woodpeckers occasionally. Blue jays will also pull sunflower seed from the feeder when hungry -- like egg-laying season. The doves do not use the feeder -- they're too big. I put smaller seed on the deck for them because I love the cooing.
1608842
We have three models of the Brome Squirrel Busters. They are designed for particular seeds. The finch style has small slits that the small birds use to extract a thistle seed. No larger seed could come through the narrow slit. For the black oil sunflower seeds, we use the classic style (1015?). It has a larger opening that allows the seed to drop down to the bottom of the enclosed opening for the bird to reach inside and extract the seed. This one is designed to hold the sunflower seed so it doesn't tend to spill out if the feeder is swinging (in case you have squirrels). We don't use thistle seed in the classic. The larger birds would throw it out. There is a new model called the peanut that is designed for clinging birds. We use the Birdacious Bark Butter Bits (a suet nugget) rather than peanuts. The tiny wrens, black caps, and all sizes of woodpeckers use it. The manufacturer has very helpful videos to help birders learn about the designs. We love these three designs and they are easy to fill and clean (as long as you watch the video first!)
2275557
Peanuts would be too large. Bird seed filters from the bottom of the feeder. Sunflower seed will fit through but that is as large as I would go with it.
459549
I can't say for sure because I've never seen a Grosbeak at my feeder. However, I find that the majority of birds (both large and small) will perch on the outer rim of the base (tray) and eat seed out of there. The holes in the wire screen are approximately 1/4" square, large enough for whole sunflower seeds to fit through.
1078094
This feeder is designed to use black oil sunflower seed only. Larger seed, such as striped sunflower will not properly fit through the mess screen. Other smaller seed or seed mixtures with smaller seeds mixed in { such as "no waste" } will sift through the screen and fall to the ground. I have found here in central Michigan {While more expensive} black oil sun flower seed attracts all the types of birds I prefer to to see and feed. At the same time birds that I am not fond of seeing { english sparrows, grackles, black birds, and even blue jays} do not seem to like the black oil seed and thus do no monopolize my feeders. This feeder is designed to use black oil sunflower seed only. Larger seed, such as striped sunflower will not properly fit through the mess screen. Other smaller seed or seed mixtures with smaller seeds mixed in { such as "no waste" } will sift through the screen and fall to the ground. I have found here in central Michigan {While more expensive} black oil sun flower seed attracts all the types of birds I prefer to to see and feed. At the same time birds that I am not fond of seeing { english sparrows, grackles, black birds, and even blue jays} do not seem to like the black oil... » Read More This feeder is designed to use black oil sunflower seed only. Larger seed, such as striped sunflower will not properly fit through the mess screen. Other smaller seed or seed mixtures with smaller seeds mixed in { such as "no waste" } will sift through the screen and fall to the ground. I have found here in central Michigan {While more expensive} black oil sun flower seed attracts all the types of birds I prefer to to see and feed. At the same time birds that I am not fond of seeing { english sparrows, grackles, black birds, and even blue jays} do not seem to like the black oil seed and thus do no monopolize my feeders. « Show Less
1897349
You will be better off if you use the sunflower chips or the "no waste" shelled seed instead of the whole sunflower seed with the shell. On of the benefits of this feeder is that that there is minimal to no waste of the seed. I have been using this feeder since 2001 and find that I spend less on seed for this feeder than the other ones with the big holes where the seed all lands on the ground and rots. You might try mixing the sunflower chips with safflower seeds, this works well also.
1592637
I live in Northern Louisiana and we get many types of birds that eat seeds so I use black oil sun flower seed. I usually put seed in the feeder morning and late afternoon as the birds seem to really love the sun flower seed. I have other feeders that will hold small types of seed.
341098
Veronica, we have had the same results. Very disappointing. We have had a couple of Ladderback Woodpeckers occasionally feed at it, but it is rare to see any feeding. We even tried two different kinds of feed/paste and it just doesn't work.
1767068
I have mainly starlings (one type of blackbird) in my area. I used only black sunflower seeds, and they have not taken over the feeder. It may be that the perching area is smaller (which is one of the recommendations for keeping away blackbirds. They also do not like to feed under anything, so when mine was hanging under a poch ceiling, they never came to the area. As for seeds, the sites I read suggest safflower seeds (very hard) as the one type of seed blackbirds will not eat. Not sure what other birds like it. here's one good link for more info: http://springfieldil.wbu.com/content/show/76860 Good luck! I have mainly starlings (one type of blackbird) in my area. I used only black sunflower seeds, and they have not taken over the feeder. It may be that the perching area is smaller (which is one of the recommendations for keeping away blackbirds. They also do not like to feed under anything, so when mine was hanging under a poch ceiling, they never came to the area. As for seeds, the sites I read suggest safflower seeds (very hard) as the one type of seed blackbirds will not eat. Not sure what other birds like it. here's one good link for more info:... » Read More I have mainly starlings (one type of blackbird) in my area. I used only black sunflower seeds, and they have not taken over the feeder. It may be that the perching area is smaller (which is one of the recommendations for keeping away blackbirds. They also do not like to feed under anything, so when mine was hanging under a poch ceiling, they never came to the area. As for seeds, the sites I read suggest safflower seeds (very hard) as the one type of seed blackbirds will not eat. Not sure what other birds like it. here's one good link for more info: http://springfieldil.wbu.com/content/show/76860 Good luck! « Show Less
1421959
I would say yes, keeping in mind that some bird seed mixes have sun flower seeds, this could be a problem distributing the mix evenly.
2148625
There could be any number of factors at work there. If it's not set to close at too light a weight on the perch, then my guess would be food quality. If you're using that inexpensive bird seed from the grocery store that is mostly yellow millet, and your neighbors are using higher-quality stuff, they won't visit your feeder except as a last resort. Try going to PetSmart or someplace like that and springing for the good stuff that has lots of black-stripe sunflower seeds, peanuts, and bits of fruit in it. Another factor could be location. Birds don't feel safe eating from a feeder that is right out in the middle of an open space with no nearby trees or shrubs to flee to if necessary.