How Many Birds At Your Feeder?

Too many birds at your bird feeder?
If your bird feeder or bird house becomes overcrowded, and your wild feather friends just can't seem to "get along", there are some things you can try. First, you can try to reduce the amount of seed. Another trick may be to use more selective seed, or specialty seed, to attract more of the birds you want to see, and discourage those you're not interested in. You can put different kinds of seeds in different bird feeders, to keep different species from competing for the same food. Besides food, it's also a good idea to have a water source handy. Placing a fountain or birdbaths nearby can help. This can also help reduce waste, as birds will dig through and discard seeds they don't want in a search for their favorites.

Most birds that visit your bird feeder have very specific preferences, Almost no birds seem to prefer the other grains used in the most common commercial bird feeder mixes: red millet, corn, milo, oats, wheat and can include canary seed. If you want to feed and attract only cardinals, pairs of doves and cute white-throated sparrows, switch from black oil sunflower seeds to safflower seeds. Attracting finches and some doves, white-throated sparrow, try niger thistle (which can be tough to find, you may have to search around). Try peanuts or peanut based mix if you want only titmice, jays, or sparrows. Another way to discourage unwanted birds is to use a specialty feeder that will, for the most part, allow only your "selected" birds to feed.

The most non-selective feeders are the tray, platform or house feeders.
Ground Platform Feeder
Hang or Pole Mount Platform Feeder
Small Hanging Screen Platform Feeder

If you prefer smaller birds, you can limit access with bird feeders that restrict access. A bird feeder made of wood with vertical bars with wire mesh make it difficult for the larger species of birds to access the feeder. Tube feeders (specifically, tube feeders without trays) can keep larger birds away, and limit access to smaller species of birds. Tube thistle feeders with vertical perches are perfect for goldfinches. Starlings will not perch upside down. If you want to keep startlings away, use a bottom-access suet feeder. While starlings will be discouraged, this is a perfect setup for woodpeckers and checkadees, which don't mind perching upside down.