Do I have a grumpy bird, or is it my new feeder?

When I was using my solar lantern feeders, I don't recall seeing many bird squabbles over the two feeders. There were four perches per feeder, one on each side (North, South, East, West) so the birds could sort of see eachother, but weren't close enough to annoy one another.

Now I have the Absolute Squirrel proof bird feeder by Heritage Farms. It has one long perch on the front of the feeder, so the birds have to sit side by side to feed.

I have one female house finch that is pushing the other birds away. When she's there, no other birds can eat because she bites them. I've even seen her pull out the feathers of her rivals! I've seen a few other fights between other birds, too, but just minor.

Do I just have some feisty young birds, and one grouchy on in particular? Or is my feeder inducing more squabbles because the birds have to be in close proximity to eat?

Thanks for any advice! I hope I haven't brought this on myself because I bought this new feeder to get rid of the grackles!

house finches are very territorial... she probably won't tolerate any other bird on the perch. ever.

Thats the truth! Mine are constantly fighting over the feeder; even when theres enough ports for everyone.

I have had great luck with that type of feeder. The chickadees and sparrows love it and don't fight much. I did have a problem with it though. Moisture would clump the seed in the ports. In the feeder I had there wasn't any way to isolate the wet seed from the dry. Mold would grow and contaminate everything.

It would be great if the manufacturers would add a sliding sheild that could be moved in place to prevent additional food from falling into the ports when the feeder needs cleaning. An added bonus would be a removable tray to make thorough cleaning possible.

I have one feeder very similar to that one and two other hoppers that close the ports via weight (adjustable). The other two have a metal ledge instead of a bar. I put a strip of adhesive grit tape on them so the bird could grip better. My Absolute is also bad about seed getting moldy at the ports. I usually soak it in big tub with Simple Green and then have to scrape the stuck down stuff out. Wooden tongue depressors help with the scraping.

BTW... mine have aged well. They are probably at least 5 years old, probably older, and looking good. None need painting yet.

I do prefer the one sided as I can better view the birds. "My" birds rarely bicker and share well. I'm not sure why this is. Sometimes there will be three or four different birds at the hoppers allowing each other to share. The house finches mainly squabble amongst themselves. Maybe, because the Cardinals have been here, in abundance, for so many years, and have established seniority, they set an example to all the others. It's not unusual for Cardinals, Mourning Doves, House Finches, and others to all be on one feeder. Even the Chickadees and Titmouse will flit in to grab a singe seed when the feeder is very occupied.

I guess I'm lucky, knock on wood, or maybe having duplicate feeders, same feed, of several different kinds, helps too.

gg=alice

This message was edited Aug 24, 2007 1:08 PM

I took down the Absolute feeder, and replaced it with my solar feeders. The grackles are gone anyway, and these solar feeders are the most beautiful ones I've seen! I absolutely love them. :)

Anyway, the birds are already settling down with the squabbling. Miss BossyPiggy isn't so inclined to chase away the other birds, and when she gets nippy they just go to the other feeder and share that one.

You guys are right about the Absolute: I didn't realize that there aren't drainage holes for the seed, and I had some clumped gunk that needed a good soaking and scraping. Bleh!

Wow, I'm surprised they don't have drainage holes!

What are solar feeders? Do you have a pic of one?

I would like to know what solar feeders are, too.

Here's a pic of the solar feeders. They are glass and pewter. On each roof are four solar panels which charge the batteries so that at night the 4 little lights under the rims light up and glow until morning. They are just so beautiful and decorative. A feeder by day, an ornament by night!

I'll have to get a picture of them glowing tonight.

This message was edited Aug 24, 2007 6:04 PM

Those are pretty LE! Thanks for showing them to us!

Do any birds come to eat at night? Or do they stay later and come earlier?

Can they be found on the web?

This message was edited Aug 24, 2007 7:08 PM

Usually I've had my last visitors before the lights start glowing. I've never seen anyone eat after the lights have come on. That'd be cool, though!

Let me have a quick look online, I know I've seen them somewhere...

Amazon has them:

http://www.amazon.com/50802221-SEEDED-GLS-SOLAR-BIRDFDR/dp/B000ITV99Y/ref=sr_1_5/104-9863217-2895158?ie=UTF8&s=garden&qid=1188000956&sr=1-5

Hmm, all I can find is Amazon. Sorry!

Here are the feeders at night :)

Here's a close-up...

Their very nice Lady!

Thanks, Pelletory!