Grackle Control Help Needed (1 Viewer)

[FeatheredAcres]

The Grackles have just returned to long Island and have invaded our bird feeding area in groups of 50+ They are emptying our feeds each session when they arrive.

We need some ideas ASAP,http:

Thanks

 

[DaveN]

The Grackles have just returned to long Island and have invaded our bird feeding area in groups of 50+ They are emptying our feeds each session when they arrive.

We need some ideas ASAP,http:

Thanks

Buy more feeders??

 

[OK_Scissortail]

Hi, I have Grackles too along with the Red Wing Blackbirds. The Grackles prefer the feeders so I give sunflowers to them. The other birds feed there too but so all can get plenty I throw plenty on the ground in different areas. I have also put up more feeders here and there, not just in once area. This seems to work for everyone. At first the Grackles (RW Blackbirds worse) can wipe out a feeder quick but I have found they do slow down after awhile and I don't need to fill the feeders as often. I have had the Grackles and Red Wing all Winter in numbers. Starlings came in flocks once but now it is just a few of them now and then. More feeders and spread them out more, throw some feed around bushes etc for the smaller guys.

I think there are certain types of feeders that only the small birds can feed from, not the larger birds. A caged type feeder.

 

[simple]

enjoy the Grackles!

 

[Hoyden]

I feed later in the morning and later in the evening which seems to help a little. I do have a caged feeder and a Squirrel Buster that the grackles and starlings can't access. Mostly I just wait for them to move on.

Jackie

 

[simple]

Starlings and Grackles are cool birds, surely you should be enjoying them not moaning about them!?

 

[Guinness537]

You should try piles of corn, its cheap and the grackles love it.

 

[rjlp]

The Grackles have just returned to long Island and have invaded our bird feeding area in groups of 50+ They are emptying our feeds each session when they arrive.

We need some ideas ASAP,http:

Thanks

I can sympathize with your grackle problem. You can never totally get rid of them, but here is what works for me: Only put sunflower or sunflower hearts in a caged feeder. This will exclude the grackles and give the smaller finches a place to eat. And for the larger birds that you want to keep (like grosbeaks, etc) use safflower seed in platform or tube feeders. The grackles don't like safflower much and will only peck at them for awhile and then give up, while grosbeaks and cardinals love the safflower. Good luck.

 

[Lou G]

I can sympathize with your grackle problem. You can never totally get rid of them, but here is what works for me: Only put sunflower or sunflower hearts in a caged feeder. This will exclude the grackles and give the smaller finches a place to eat. And for the larger birds that you want to keep (like grosbeaks, etc) use safflower seed in platform or tube feeders. The grackles don't like safflower much and will only peck at them for awhile and then give up, while grosbeaks and cardinals love the safflower. Good luck.

Great advice! I have done the same thing and it works wonderfully.:t:

 

[SanAntonioBirder]

Great Info here! I've got the same problems and I'll let you guys know what my solution is.

 

[muthjs]

Grackle problems here, too. Other years, in a different location, they had moved on by now, but seem to be staying this year. Still hoping they will leave, I have gone to inexpensive tube feeders (3.50 at my local dollar store) that they can't perch on as a, hopefully, only temporary fix till they do go as cardinals, blue jays and mourning doves cannot perch either. My HUGE problem is suet. I have my feeders fastened to trees and the woodies really like it that way but the grackles have learned to cling to the bark just like the woodies, so only having the bottom open does not work. Tried it. Any ideas? Must I go to hanging the suet cages? Really don't want to if I don't have to.

 

[rjlp]

Grackle problems here, too. Other years, in a different location, they had moved on by now, but seem to be staying this year. Still hoping they will leave, I have gone to inexpensive tube feeders (3.50 at my local dollar store) that they can't perch on as a, hopefully, only temporary fix till they do go as cardinals, blue jays and mourning doves cannot perch either. My HUGE problem is suet. I have my feeders fastened to trees and the woodies really like it that way but the grackles have learned to cling to the bark just like the woodies, so only having the bottom open does not work. Tried it. Any ideas? Must I go to hanging the suet cages? Really don't want to if I don't have to.

For suet I've found this unique feeder, that the Downy's and Hairy's love and the grackles don't give a second look to. It is a sandwich-style feeder that is especially made for this. The special thin suet cakes are rather expensive, so I just use regular suet cakes, heating them in the microwave for 20 seconds or so, and "butter" the soft suet onto the feeder halves. I know it sounds hokey, but it works and is not very expensive. Here is a link to the feeder: https://www.birdschoice.com/ViewProduct.aspx?productid=647d6568-f4b0-49ca-b8fd-0672d49af5f6