Do the birds leave much of a mess around when using this feeder?
1278831
Yes, you can have a mess. Birds drop seeds and hulls drop on the ground around the feeder (2nd floor balcony in my case). Smaller birds sometimes hop inside and scratch around looking for the seed they want. This will push smaller seeds and hulls out the front opening or between the feeder and glass. If the feeder is full of birds (2 or 3), other birds wait around elsewhere on our balcony waiting their turn... pooping on the patio table and chairs, etc.. I came here to see if anyone had suggestions on how to keep the mess down :)
1278832
The lip is pretty high to keep the food in. It has been really windy so birds were coming in to get out of the wind. We did super glue the crappy joints before putting it up.
1278833
I have not noticed mess much as their heads stay mostly inside of the covered "house" area while they eat. With squirrels though, if they get all the way inside and sit and eat (I had just 1 do this), then they drop some of the larger seed shells, like sunflower, on the lower window ledge.
425314
Yes the feed gets stuck and our birds didn't like it because of limited space for them to stand.plus it constantly turned around.
1379485
It doesn't reflect. I have had great success in attracting all sorts of birds in the last 10 years. Never had an injury! :) Good luck. You'll love this feeder and so will the birdies!
1379487
Not to worry. We have had this feeder for several years and haven't lost a bird yet. We do live in a wooded area and the birds come in abundance. Only problem we have had is keeping it filled. We so enjoy watching the birds
308085
I have had this item for over a year, and it looks like new. It has been a far more efficient feeder in that birds are less likely to throw the seed on the ground. It might be a problem in areas where it rains and snows a lot (unlike here) since it acts like a big dish for all of that water and ice.
132730
Mine feeder is never kept full all the time. How can it be. Birds keep coming as the contents of the feeder diminishes until it reaches the level at which the birds cannot get to the remaining seeds. I don't see how birds can get "stuck" in the feeder under any conditions.
1718464
No, in fact I've had a female Cardinal go in it at times with Gold Finches on the other side. Most of the time my larger birds will go to the other feeders.
341099
It just takes a while. I think mine hung out for a month before birds started using it. Not all birds are upside down feeders. I have lots of woodpeckers in my area.
1612661
I've not had this particular feeder through the winter yet but I have on like it and it was fine, but I have a dome over top of it to help protect from weather. Since I have had this feeder, we have had some very heavy rains and the seed is dry. I've not seen any jays or other large birds attempting to use this feeder, it's been mostly smaller birds. The largest bird has been the red-wing black birds. Honestly, I can't recall any real problems with the larger birds. This one seems to be most attractive to the smaller ones. Hope this helps!
1868324
I've not had any trouble with birds entering the feeder at all since I don't put anything in it that birds eat. I place only Hazelnuts in the feeder which are favorites of squirrels.
2226270
I don't have starling problems with this feeder. My house finches and juncos try and have a bit of success but chickadees are the real customers. Also, they grab the seed and go so there is little mess right around the feeder. My favorite feeder by far.
931288
There are a few spots that my cockatiels can stick their heads through, where pieces come together. Also, I have to be careful when I clean it because they can hop right through the bottom.... If you're feelin crafty those spaces can be easily fixed up to keep in finches.
1185902
Yes, I really like this feeder, we have had some high winds this winter and it has kept the food in it. I also put a hood over the top to keep the food dryer the birds all seem to like it!
1718469
I have had mine up for over a year, and never had any problems with birds getting stuck in it. The birds are very active on the feeder, generally emptying it in two days. It is on a pole with a squirrel baffle, so the squirrels can't get to it.
1128480
No problem... It has a plastic insert-it might get slightly wet, but the birds don't seem to mind. I live in PA if that helps & I've had this feeder for several seasons & it's the best I've owned.
560562
There are not any drainage holes at the bottom and it hasn't rained here since I got it so I really am not sure what will happen. However, the birds love it so much there usually isn't any seed left. They also recommend washing the feeder with mild soap & water every couple of weeks so I don't think seed rot should be an issue.
1280661
We have mostly sparrows that get in to the feeder at the moment, but not having had it that long, I'm not sure. We will get Cardinals later on, so will have to see if they can get in through the holes. The feeder is wonderful, and may have to get another one, as we have a smaller one, but the birds ignore it. It might be worth trying it, as other small birds would love it anyway.