Is this feeder ok in the winter when snow blows? Don't the seeds get wet?? We need one that only cardinals and smaller birds can use- not jays or grackles.Suggestions?
1612658
I don't live in a snowy climate, but having lived in one I imagine it would get caked in snow making it unusable during and after a winter storm unless you brushed it off. The seed getting wet doesn't seem to be a problem as the design allows it to ventilate and dry out easily. So far we haven't had a problem with birds larger than cardinals taking over the feeder. They stare at it, but I think the perch is too small for them to try it.
1612659
It has a pretty wide topper on it to keep out rain and snow. We just got ours recently and that has not been an issue yet. The mesh on the sides is small enough that I think it would be difficult for jays or grackles to get their beak in there. We had trouble with crows and another feeder but have not had any issues with this one so far.
1612660
Hi there, I haven't used the product in the winter time yet. So far, when it rains a lot , the product is pretty sturdy and the seeds don't get wet . I live in midtowm west Manhattan and have 2 beautiful cardinals come to this feeder after hanging it for about 1 week. If you decide to buy this product, just make sure you buy sun flower seeds that its size is not too large and able to be taken out from the metal sift.or u can use black oil sunflower seed .
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!
1612662
You'd probably have to knock the snow off this. I'm frankly not thrilled with this feeder.
1612663
Regrets, but I haven't owned it during a Winter. I have other feeders but unfortunately don't know of any that can feed cardinals but not jays/grackles. In fact I sometimes get a flock of crows which chase everything else away except maybe the squirrels. I think the seed might get wet depending on the angle of the rain and where the feeder is placed -- trees might protect it. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Good luck!
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).
151611
Hi Michael, We have two of these feeders. We love them so much. The squirrels cannot eat from them. The first year we had the feeders, the cardinals and blue jays disappeared. We thought it was because of the wildlife that was in our year constantly. However, they did return with more cardinals than ever. It took them a while to adjust to the new feeders. They would hover and then fly to a near by tree. Now they are very comfortable and have adjusted fine. Don't give up.
1479420
I don't know the answer to this question. I put my window feeders up last spring when the weather was cold, but not freezing. I will wait and see what happens when our temperatures drop below freezing in October!
1460159
I love my feeders, I have 3 of them. I keep one in the house in the cold weather. When snow or ice freezes on top I can't unscrew them. So you could bring it in overnight and then it would thaw out and easy to unscrew. Richard
288287
The seed inside stays dry, but if there is blowing rain or snow the seed in the tray will get wet. I usually scrap it out onto the ground for the squirrels, give the feeder a shake to bring new food down and it's good to go. This is my second Triple Bin feeder and I would buy a third.
327470
Please don't put out lint, yarn, string- that can all be harmful. I see our yard birds searching the ground for tiny thin twigs, under 1 1/2 '' long- they need alot of that to build nests. You can gather or clip some dead twigs, dry pine needles too- I think they would fit well in this ball- I am going to try that this spring, think it would work really well. Our birds love these feeders in winter for black oil sunflower seeds in shell.
1111327
I am using a premium bird seed I bought at Tractor Supply. I add about 20% sunflower seed to the mix. We are covered up with Chickadees, Wrens, Eastern Towhee's, Cardinals, Finch, Downy Woodpecker, Indigo Bunting and many others I cannot identify. None of them seem to have any problem feeding at the small trough. Have you added the 1/4 inch plastic tubing to the perch as I outlined in my review? That gives the small birds a much better grip on the otherwise slick metal perch. Sometimes I add some Niger seed to the mix but it really does not seem to make much difference. I live in the mountains of Western North Carolina where we have many varieties of small birds. My land is covered with Pine trees so there is lots of spaces for birds to rest. Hope this helps.
331463
It works very well with sunflower seed. That is what I use exclusively. the Cardinals will go to the perch of the feeder and eat from there.
2106638
THe string is too long. It's a problem. In the Minnesota winter the feeder needs to be hung close to sheltering trees or shrubs but I have nothing high enough to hang it safely there. Sort I don't have a solution yet.
2250758
It sounds like you are doing everything right-- offering a water source and trees and shrubs for shelter. Timing could be the issue here. Birds can be pretty suspicious of anything new, and it will take time before they will eat from the feeder (especially since their natural food sources are becoming available as we get further into spring). Just please make sure you are keeping the seed in the feeder fresh-- maybe keep a little less seed in the feeder and change it every few days until you start to get some visitors. Also, are you seeing Finches at any of your other feeders? If not, you may attract them to your area by planting some milkweed or composite plants.
2191197
I just use a mix of seeds in my feeder. We only get small birds in our feeder ( larger birds cause it to close). Maybe the smaller birds don't like the bigger seeds.
1453930
We have not had a problem with this. We have several bird feeders in our yard, and this is a favorite. The cardinals love this feeder!
1055601
It takes awhile for the birds to find the feeder. I think it took about 1 week. If it's in a spot near cats/dogs, the birds will avoid it.Also, I don't know where you live, but I'm in Chicago, and with the below zero weather even the birds didn't show up.
560566
The seed tray is small and I'm in Colorado and haven't had a problem with snow getting into it. As others have said, the seed doesn't last that long anyway!
2268993
Hung in a brushy shrub or evergreen, cardinals will visit them regularly. Black oil sunflower seed works best in them. They definitely aren't squirrel proof. I used a length of picture wire to wrap around the little ball on the cap and to the hanger so that if the squirrels get in, I don't loose my lids. Filling through the top with a canning funnel while it rests inside something that catches spilled seed works very well. The seed in these does not tend to stay wet, even when it snows-good air flow I guess. HTH!
1458443
There are no cardinals where I live in Alaska. I do have gray jays use the feeder and they are about the same size as a cardinal so I think it should work for cardinals.