Dollars are tight - we know that. But giving up birdfeeding is something we're just not willing to do! Not with all that the birds add to our life! Whether we're enduring the shortest of winter days or the sweltering summer heat, birds add color and sound and life to our lives and to our yards.
Birdfeeding on a Budget is a new feature on The Zen Birdfeeder blog. I'll provide hints on how to be able to continue feeding the birds in this tough economy. I'll help you make smart decisions so you can continue to feed the birds. Note that I said SMART decisions, not necessarily CHEAP decisions, since cheap decisions can sometimes cost us more in the long run, and that just doesn't make sense.
Let's Feed the Birds!
Starling-resistant Options
When European Starlings come to your feeders, they can come in large groups and consume A LOT of food. They crowd your feeders and keep away the birds you really want to see. Here's how to minimize starlings and starling food consumption.
Offer food that starlings don't care for
Starlings don't care for safflower seed. Most song birds enjoy safflower, though it may take them a little time to get used to it. Just be patient! At my house, it is the preferred food of Purple Finches, and cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, and grosbeaks all readily eat it.
Purple Finches enjoy safflower seed in a tube feeder
Serve it straight up (not in a blend) in tube feeders, hopper feeders, or open trays. Added bonus: squirrels, grackles, crows, and jays don't typically care for safflower either!
Serve suet upside down
Starlings cannot cling upside down at suet feeders like many of our suet-loving birds can. So serve your suet upside down! While chickadees, titmice, woodpeckers, nuthatches, and wrens will all cling to an upside-down feeder to eat high-fat suet, starlings just can't physically do it.
Woodpeckers can cling upside down to access suet at this upside-down suet feeder.
There are specialty suet feeders that hold suet cakes in an upside-down position. Leave the suet cake in the plastic tub to keep the feeder cleaner. At a minimum, buy a specialty "Starling Stumper" chain for your existing suet cage that hangs the cage flat. Keep the suet cake in the plastic tub with the open side facing downward and the starlings won't be able to cling to the underneath surface. "Starling Stumpers" are available at your local WBU shop.
These two tips will slow down seed and suet consumption by starlings, our first way to be dollar-smart about feeding the birds!
Rohrerbot, starlings can show up in gang-like numbers. I'll appreciate hearing your feedback about this new series!
Arlene, I don't mind Blue Jays but they can be loud which some folks don't prefer.
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | February 18, 2012 at 06:33 PM
The Blue Jays in my yard seem to eat the safflower seed although it's not their preferred food. By the way, what's wrong with Blue Jays?! They add vibrant color and such life to my yard!
Posted by: arlene hart | February 07, 2012 at 07:48 PM
Didn't know this about Starlings. Sounds like they act as a gang almost with other birds:) Look forward to reading this series.
Posted by: Rohrerbot | February 06, 2012 at 03:32 PM