Bird Feeder Buyers Guide (1 Viewer)

[mitch166@comcas]

I'm looking for someone to write a small booklet on how to buy a bird feeder and I was wondering if anyone here might be able to help or give me some advice. I can be reached at [email protected].

 

[hayfieldgolfer]

Had a great book for Christmas, 'The Ultimate Bird Feeder Handbook' by John A Burton, published by New Holland. Describes all aspects of feeding birds.

As for the best feeders, look at the sites selling them as well as local retailers. Birds seem more interested in the contents, start off with the cheapset and if needed up grade to the more expensive. I have had a 6 port plastic feeded for years, just brought another for £2.99 (have added a seed tray (dearer than the feeded) underneath which stops seed falling onto the ground).

Have invested in a pole system which has 5 hooks and a tray hanging from it, much better than the traditional bird table.

 

[mitch166@comcas]

Had a great book for Christmas, 'The Ultimate Bird Feeder Handbook' by John A Burton, published by New Holland. Describes all aspects of feeding birds.

As for the best feeders, look at the sites selling them as well as local retailers. Birds seem more interested in the contents, start off with the cheapset and if needed up grade to the more expensive. I have had a 6 port plastic feeded for years, just brought another for £2.99 (have added a seed tray (dearer than the feeded) underneath which stops seed falling onto the ground).

Have invested in a pole system which has 5 hooks and a tray hanging from it, much better than the traditional bird table.

Thank you for that tip, sounds like a really good book. I was hoping to find some people here who might be interested in writing a short review of there feeder from there experiences, which you certainly have (years is a heck of a long time for a plastic feeder to survive). I don't want to abuse the forum however so perhaps you can send me an email so I can show you a review I wrote as an example.

 

[eliaszuniga]

Thank you for that tip, sounds like a really good book. I was hoping to find some people here who might be interested in writing a short review of there feeder from there experiences, which you certainly have (years is a heck of a long time for a plastic feeder to survive). I don't want to abuse the forum however so perhaps you can send me an email so I can show you a review I wrote as an example.

Mitch,
Today (January 9th), I purchased the Advanced Pole System setup from Wild Birds Unlimited. You can see their sets at WBU.com Spent about 70 dollars for the setup. I will let you know what it's like soon. It is an elaborate pole-in-the-ground with hooks set up. I've invested in it since the regular feeders I have in my tree (for a year now - $8.00 cheapos from Target) have become very popular. (I recommend you start out doing the same.) Since you are in California, check and see if there are any Wild Birds Unlimited stores in your area - I went in one for the first time today and it was great! If your cheapos become popular, you can always invest in better ones later on.
Good luck!

 

[suekma]

Thank you for that tip, sounds like a really good book. I was hoping to find some people here who might be interested in writing a short review of there feeder from there experiences, which you certainly have (years is a heck of a long time for a plastic feeder to survive). I don't want to abuse the forum however so perhaps you can send me an email so I can show you a review I wrote as an example.

Hi Mitch,

I also have the pole system from Wild Birds Unlimited with a squirrel guard, which is essential. My feeders are very old plastic ones that are still in fine shape. Is is important to get ones that have metal surrounding the seed openings if you have squirrel problems. I used to hang my feeders from a chain hanging between two trees. We had to cut down one of the trees, leading to my getting the pole. Since I got it, I have had just as many birds, but no squirrels on the feeders. The pole has to be at least 6' from a tree.

 

[Lou G]

Hi Mitch,

I also have the pole system from Wild Birds Unlimited with a squirrel guard, which is essential. My feeders are very old plastic ones that are still in fine shape. Is is important to get ones that have metal surrounding the seed openings if you have squirrel problems. I used to hang my feeders from a chain hanging between two trees. We had to cut down one of the trees, leading to my getting the pole. Since I got it, I have had just as many birds, but no squirrels on the feeders. The pole has to be at least 6' from a tree.

I too have the pole system from WBU, three shepards hooks for feeders and two branches for the birds to perch on. It was the best investment I've made so far. No squirrels, great! They have climbed the pole but the baffle stops them in their tracks
Lou G