Why and When to Use Caged Feeders

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Why and When to Use Caged Feeders

Рет қаралды 7,066

Күн бұрын

Why and when is it good to use caged feeders for birds? Certain species of birds like starlings, grackle, dove and pigeons can have negative impacts on bird feeder stations and often caged feeders are you best solution.
Mark McKellar is a wildlife biologist with over 35 years of bird study experience. He has a degree in Fish and Wildlife Sciences from North Carolina State University and has worked for the Department of the Army, the Wildlife Departments of North Carolina and Missouri. He ran nature centers for many years in Missouri and Pennsylvania before buying the Backyard Bird Center in the Northland area of Kansas City. Mark has led hundreds of bird hikes both locally and abroad. He has taught classes about birds and other wildlife to groups of all ages and brings that knowledge to the customers of his retail business every day. More information about Mark at backyardbirdce...
#marksbackyardbirds, #birdfeeding, #backyardwildlife
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MORE INFORMATION
Contact: info@backyardbirdcenter.com
Cover photo of hopper feeder with dove guard by Jan Miller
Goldfinches on caged feeder by Vari-craft
Common Grackle by Carrie Wadlow
European Starling by Mary Nemecek
Common Grackle in Tray Feeder by Carrie Wadlow
Winter plumaged American Goldfinches by Aspects
WLCage Feeder by Woodlink, Inc
Mourning Dove photo by Mary Nemecek
Hopper feeder with dove guard by Jan Miller
Birds Choice Cage by Mark McKellar
Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.
Mark's Amazon store:
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:58 March: Return of the Common Grackle
02:01 Dealing with Grackles and Starlings
03:27 Use of Safflower and Niger Seeds
04:12 Evolution of Cage Feeders
05:11 Challenges with Larger Birds
06:16 Introducing Dove Guards
07:49 Retrofitting Tube Feeders with Cages

Пікірлер: 88

@Miguel195211 Жыл бұрын

I understand the feeling to feed all animals. But, I had a huge problem with squirrels. I like squirrels, but they are messy eaters and waste a lot of seed. So, I bought the Squirrel Buster feeder and has been a blessing.

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

I love that feeder too.

@adriennelee6065 Жыл бұрын

I have a safflower log out. My cardinals & house finches love it. I've tried putting a suet cage out that was meant to keep the bigger birds/squirrels out, but the starlings were able to find JUST the right angle and gorge themselves. I've yet to find a feeder/cage/ seed combo that encourages my "good" birds (cardinals, house finches, chickadees, nuthatches, downys and occasionally hairys, etc), but keeps the "bad" birds (starlings and house sparrows) away. A magic halo over my feeders and clinging only feeders have done wonders at keeping the house sparrows away, and definitely slows down the starlings. I don't put out tray feeders out anymore, as the doves and pigeons take over. Who knew feeding birds was such a balancing act! 😵‍💫

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

It can be. The safflower block can help against the doves and pigeons. Caged feeders work well against the starlings, grackle and doves. You are going at it the right way.

@Panama0810 7 ай бұрын

Hi Mark! I'm in Palm Springs, CA and I had to "MacGyver" a wire cage to keep doves from emptying my hopper feeder in ONE day. I looove doves but we get 3 (and sometimes even 4) species of doves in summer. Having 3-5 doves is NOT the same as 35-40, I can't buy any feeder with any kind of tray either. Thanks for showing the caged fly-through feeders they look waay better than the cage I made.

@MarksBackyardBirds 7 ай бұрын

You are welcome. There are a lot of dove out your way. Dove cages are your friends for sure.

@Paul-fp1gr Жыл бұрын

In my experience with invasive birds is to cut the resting perch back. This is most effective & prevents larger birds from landing, allowing smaller bird easy access.

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

Shorter perches are effective against many species. Great idea

@lynneeby9697 Жыл бұрын

We moved from nyc to Long Island & we’re learning so much from you. So we bought the caged small bird feeder, with the squirrel guard & got some safflower to try. The squirrels & Grackles can get plenary off the ground if they want. We adore our mourning doves & I just got a saucer to put under the tree for them. Hoping to keep them all happy!

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

Sounds like you have a good plan of action working there.

@gracefulxit5650 Жыл бұрын

You are exact right with describing my situation with Doves in Southwest Oklahoma. I put feed on the ground for them but they completely take over everything. The ground isn’t enough. They eat like hogs do, and the come in flocks of 10-20+ and consume 1-2 lbs a day in bird seed! They spend most of the day on my feeders and there isn’t any room for song birds to even get on the feeder. They have completely taken the joy out of bird watching.

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

It is a tough situation for you folks in that part of the world. Caged feeders, clinging feeders and suet cages are your best options.

@markanderson3852 10 ай бұрын

Oh Ok I see the cage feeder for the Cardinals...I saw it come on just as I put my previous comment about Doves and Pigeons...Thanks Much

@shirleywilhelm1495 Жыл бұрын

I enjoyed this very much! I purchased a cage for my cylinder feeder to keep doves off! It works! Thank you Mark!

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

Fantastic!, glad it helped!

@SmokyMountainBlessed Жыл бұрын

I just set up a cage feeder because of the squirrel and doves chasing off the smaller birds, but I still have flat feeders for the squirrel and doves

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

That is a good approach

@karinecarde1254 Жыл бұрын

Excellent contents and presentation! Thank you so much for the precious information 😊

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

You are most welcome. Thanks for watching.

@marlbboro8091 Жыл бұрын

I have this problem, I want my stellar Jay to feed but not the crows. And my caged feeders don’t allow crows but neither my Stellar Jays. 😞 I love crows and feed them separately but who’s to tell them that ? They want to eat it all from everywhere 🤣 I think your non perch peanuts feeder , you covered in another video might be the answer? caged and non caged feeders are both invaluable to me. Watched the ads. You deserve it 🙏🏽

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. I would think the 2” dove cages would allow the Steller’s once they figure it out.

@marlbboro8091 Жыл бұрын

@@MarksBackyardBirds thank you so much!!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾

@hayleyhalley6577 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for this. I have had pigeon's raiding my bird feeder nonstopp this last week. Had my feeder there for years without issues but my neighbours have them nesting on their balcony, and they refuse to fix the problem. Im now going to get a cage to see if that works 🤞

@MarksBackyardBirds 3 ай бұрын

That should do the trick. Thanks for watching!

@alisonhendry2928 Жыл бұрын

Yay thanks for all of these ideas! I do not have grackles or starlings, but oh the doves are like maggots! And they eat everything then sit on the feeders and poop! They scare off all my other lovlies even the Bluejays! I enjoy it when the woodpecker comes to visit as she rules the roost and the doves scatter. When the hawks come buzzing through they scatter but they pick off the wrong bird 😢. Sparrows and house finches and now even mockingbirds seem to be in low numbers in the neighbourhood. Guess that means healthy clean environment for the raptors…will be check8gn out those cages!

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

It is also nesting season which is a naturally slower time at feeders

@brayerpatch3471 8 ай бұрын

I'm having a problem with Blue Jays (sometimes 20 at a time) taking over every feeder I have. They knock the ring off the bottom of my Eliminator as they hang onto it to grab some seed, they can feed at my upside down suet feeder, and they have figured out how to cling to the perches of my tube feeders. I have a fly-through feeder that I feed them in but the mourning doves and rock doves sometimes take it over and that causes them to go to the other feeders. Can the Blue Jays get seed if I put a dove guard on my fly-through feeder? I have now put my peanut feeder in a cage and they have learned to cling to the bottom of the cage, stick their heads through the wire and grab the peanuts. They can only do this from the bottom of it.

@MarksBackyardBirds 8 ай бұрын

Wow, I have never had that level of trouble with Blue Jays. Dove guards are not effective, but standard caged feeders are. They don’t like safflower so that is safe (but the dove and pigeons do) A dove guard may be I. Order there. You can get cages for existing tube feeders that will keep them out but allow small birds in.

@Scousergirl 8 күн бұрын

My problem is doves. Hoards of them dominating the feeders. The neighbors are complaining too. Ugh!

@MarksBackyardBirds 8 күн бұрын

@@Scousergirl Take away all trays, caged feeders and small perch tube feeders. Avoid safflower, they love it.

@yes350yes 8 ай бұрын

I will not throw millet out on the ground as it will draw in house sparrows. Currently doing pretty well in detering HS from coming to my yard. I feed nyjer for goldfinches and safflower to bring in cardinals and deter others like HS. The safflower is really helping to bring cardinals , previously had never had more than 1 cardinal at a time , but one day saw at least 5 at the same time with the safflower seed. Since I found that even goldfinches will eat the hearts out of the tray I need to find a way or feeder that will allow me to do that . Otherwise I wont be buying any more hearts. Man the price of safflower is skyrocketing.

@MarksBackyardBirds 8 ай бұрын

Bird seed is so unpredictable. One year crops do great and the next they may fail miserably. We had a pretty dry summer over much of the midwest so a lot of prices will go up as supplies dwindle.

@steelmonkey7609 10 ай бұрын

I love the idea of bird stations opposed to one feeder. I realize you can attract different kinds of birds when there's food options however, I'm a little concerned with these caged feeders. What if the birds get startled and they have to make a quick exit, isn't it risky they could get hurt from the cage? What are your thoughts on that Mark? Thank you from Cape Cod Mass.

@MarksBackyardBirds 10 ай бұрын

It is amazing to watch them use the caged feeder. At first the land on the cage and hop through. In no time, they are flying in and out of the cages at full speed. They know just when to fold the wings to pass right through. Anything is possible I guess but in all of the years of using and selling them, I'm not aware of there being a problem with the birds.

@tiffanycroucher4327 3 ай бұрын

We have Grosbeak, red-headed, and Red Bellied woodpeckers. The Grackles are invading our feeders now. I have read that 2" cages won't work for Grakles but anything smaller the woodpeckers can't get in. What do you suggest we do? Is safflower our only option?

@MarksBackyardBirds 3 ай бұрын

The 1.5” diameter mesh works against grackle. Tube feeders with small perches and no tray is somewhat effective. Safflower or NutraSaff is great. They are generally a fairly short lived problem.

@ramonarevalo3668 Ай бұрын

Can i get a dove cage for the mini magnet feeder? Wished i went with the oasis caged feeder option...

@MarksBackyardBirds Ай бұрын

@@ramonarevalo3668 I will check for you.

@Perly53 7 ай бұрын

Hi Mark. I'm in Vero Beach, FL and I am telling you the grackles are here by the hundreds right now. You show a photo at 6:57 of a hopper feeder with what looks like 2 in.x 2 in. openings. I want to do this to the hopper feeder in the yard. The birds I'm concerned about are the cardinals. Can a cardinal fit through there and get out OK? Secondly, with the cage attached right up against the edges, does that keep out bigger birds? I have both black oil sunflower and safflower. I wanted to do a mix, but without some type of cage, the grackles will go after the sunflower for sure and dominate the feeder. I have lots of other birds (eastern phoebe, wrens, bluejays, cardinals, blue-grey gnatcatcher, catbirds, and female painted buntings). And of course doves and some pigeons that stop by. I'm planning on building a cage over our tray feeder (hanging) as well as a smaller circular feeder (8 in. diameter with weather guard). Needless to say, the grackles are makin' me mad, lol. Thanks.

@MarksBackyardBirds 7 ай бұрын

Those kinds of numbers will surely drive you crazy. I assume we are talking about Common Grackle and not the larger Boat-tailed Grackle. I’m not certain that the 2”x2” will keep the Commons out. It is will certainly keep out the Boat-tails. Our typical recombination for Commons is the 1.5” mesh for cage feeders and a straight safflower feeder for the cardinals. Grackle hate safflower. If the doves and pigeons get to be a problem on the safflower, the 2” cages are the answer. Cardinals can fit through but it may take them a little while. Good Luck

@jamescady723 10 ай бұрын

House sparrow invasion this summer....almost all my chickadees are gone., save two brave ones. I'm going to try the fishing line method. Anyone have and other ideas? Thanks for the videos.

@dawnj1745 2 ай бұрын

Safflower seed got rid of my house sparrow issue. I wouldn't use fishing line, the birds can get caught up in it. A bendable wire would be a better idea.

@olive87 Жыл бұрын

Do mourning doves eat stripped sunflower seeds? I was thinking this might be a solution to keep the doves off the tray feeder, but still provide seed for the cardinals, blue jays, woodpeckers etc. This would be for the winter months when we don't have grackles in our area. Thanks in advance 😊

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

That would be worth a try. You never say never with wild animals but it certainly wouldn't be a favorite. It does seem to discourage House Sparrows as well.

@tamihopkins5068 2 ай бұрын

Thanks, Mark! Where do u purchase these caged platform feeders?

@MarksBackyardBirds 2 ай бұрын

We carry them at our store and online. Here is a link to the hopper feeders: tinyurl.com/2m3nj626 and their open tray feeders: tinyurl.com/4eybdbk5 The company that makes them is Hilltop Specialties. Here is a link to the dove cages: tinyurl.com/y4xjmwvu.

@amycordero8359 5 ай бұрын

I’m in NYS and a beautiful flock of bluebirds arrived. Unfortunately, shortly afterwards a flock of European STARLINGS arrived. 😡 They bully the the bluebirds terribly. NONE of the caged feeders (Erva caged feeder) have openings big enough for the bluebirds to get in!! Very frustrating!

@MarksBackyardBirds 5 ай бұрын

Unfortunately, bluebirds seem to have trouble figuring out caged feeders. Caged feeders with a 1.5” opening should accommodate them if they can figure them out.

@dawnj1745 2 ай бұрын

Get the perch for the erva feeder and they'll use it!

@dawnj1745 2 ай бұрын

It's called the barrier guard feeder perch accessory. No birds would use that feeder until I got that lol. Now I switch out the center part to accommodate different birds throughout the seasons. It's great!

@msondago251 Жыл бұрын

Doves have taken over my hopper feeder. I had 8 today. I ground throw seeds for them, and they still jump in my hopper.

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

Sounds like you may benefit from a dove cage.

@chrisprol32 Жыл бұрын

My platform feeder has a dome over it that is height adjustable. I put it lower so the doves can't get in. Takes a few tries to figure out the right height so the cardinals can get in, but it was worth it in the end

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

@@chrisprol32 They can work against starlings as well.

@nathanlkimball Жыл бұрын

I have the same issue with doves. They eat to their hearts content and then sit in the feeder and deter any other bird from coming in. I’m thinking about a dome. Do you sell domes on your website?

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

Domes are dependent on the feeders and how you can hang them. The Seed Saver feeder has an adjustable hood that can be raised and lowered to keep out larger birds. I’m not sure if they are on the website yet. I will check and put up a link in n the next day or so.

@lorid9455 2 ай бұрын

Where can I buy this?

@MarksBackyardBirds 2 ай бұрын

We carry them on our online store. Here is a link to the feeder tinyurl.com/3aw3x9ht and a link to the dove guard that fits it: tinyurl.com/2w9tuzp4. Thanks for watching.

@markanderson3852 10 ай бұрын

I like the use of Safflower but How about Pigeons and Doves?...i see them eating my safflower right up. They hog the feeder.

@MarksBackyardBirds 10 ай бұрын

They do love safflower. For that issue, the dove cages are great.

@MagicT-bq1qy 8 ай бұрын

Hello mark, where can I get a dove guard cage for a fly through feeder? Are they hard to put on and take off?

@MarksBackyardBirds 8 ай бұрын

It really depends on the dimensions of your feeder. Here is a link to our dove cages. tinyurl.com/4uwynbra We have three different styles and sizes. The are pretty simple to install.

@MagicT-bq1qy 8 ай бұрын

@@MarksBackyardBirds okay mark thank you I’m not sure if it will work for my fly through feeder. Will they customize it if it won’t? Thanks

@MarksBackyardBirds 8 ай бұрын

Send me dimensions and picture and I will ask. Mark@backyardbirdcenter.com

@frankdillon6127 Жыл бұрын

my big problem is pegions eating the seeds that end up on the ground. might have 8-10 birds eating below my finch feeder.

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

You may try hull-less seeds or catch trays. Definitely avoid any mix with grains like millet, cracked corn, milo, etc.

@SugarMollyHazel 6 ай бұрын

So you're saying those big cages the cardinals can get in ok. But will they be big enough for the starlings as well? Those birds are what I'm trying to avoid, they're taking over my feeders now and its making me mad.

@dawnj1745 2 ай бұрын

If you use safflower, the Cardinals will be happy and the starling will stay away

@anesenuriddin9091 Жыл бұрын

Please provide info on cage feeders to halt doves

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

We have more coming in soon. I will post a link when they arrive.

@infallibleblue 15 күн бұрын

I like house finches. The mourning doves are greedy and bullies.

@MarksBackyardBirds 14 күн бұрын

My only problem with House Finches is I have about 30 young ones hogging them.

@rexstoops8676 11 ай бұрын

Im at a bit of a loss after watching this. Ive been feeding for decades, I live in Eastern Central Indiana. I always thought I knew, and Ive told others just getting into feeding, that Doves are ground feeders. I have never, ever, seen a Dove at/on any of my feeders but only feeding on the ground under my feeders. Why would this be different for me or my area.?

@MarksBackyardBirds 11 ай бұрын

That is a really tough question. It may be the sheer numbers. Folks who feed birds in the south and southwest have so deal wi a lot more dove typically. They do prefer the ground but many try to keep seed off the ground if possible.

@dawnj1745 2 ай бұрын

I'm in southwest Illinois and the mourning doves invade every feeder I have, even with food on the ground lol. I finally got a caged feeder and an awesome seed tray catcher off Etsy that hangs under my tube feeder. I'll put a lot of seed on the seed catcher to help keep the doves there and off the tube itself. It seems to be helping. They were not happy when I bought the caged feeder, but they kept scaring off all the smaller songbirds. They're fun to watch, but they sure have been a pain my arse 😂

@yolandagomez9255 Жыл бұрын

You are talking about the 2” caged hopper to allow the cardinals and blue hat but not the doves which is perfect for what I want, but what about the grackles? Can they get in? I have a big problem with Grackles

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

I’m afraid a clever grackle could figure it out.

@yolandagomez9255 Жыл бұрын

@@MarksBackyardBirds 😠. what would you suggest?

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

@@yolandagomez9255 I suggest Safflower in the open trays, Nyjer in finch feeders and standard caged feeders for mixes that contain sunflower and peanuts in the battle against grackle.

@yolandagomez9255 Жыл бұрын

@@MarksBackyardBirds yes I’m doing the now. I have a small open platform feeder with just safflower and I have a squirrel buster with sunflower heats seeds and a cage feeder with mixed nuts. But I want to be able to feed my cardinals. , That’s why I was wondering about the 2 inch caged feeders to let the Cardinals in but will they also let the grackles in?

@MarksBackyardBirds Жыл бұрын

@@yolandagomez9255 the open tray with straight safflower should take care of the cardinals. The love safflower. They can fit through the dove guard cages but I’m afraid the grackle may figure them out as well.

@MikeJones-rk1un 3 ай бұрын

Bluejays?

@MarksBackyardBirds 3 ай бұрын

Blue Jays can squeeze through a 2" cage but are reluctant to do so. In-shell peanuts could be enough to get them to try.

@lindad.7642 4 ай бұрын

Grackles are such a nuisance. I have given up on feeding my favorite birds. I love my Downy Woodpeckers. But the Grackles destroy the suet cakes. They chase off cardinals. Goldfinches. Songbirds. Theyve killed smaller birds in front of me. I wish they could be eliminated. They are so frustrating. And cage feeders are useless. Ive had 12 Grackles on a bird cage type dual suet feeder. It was swinging. I actually threw a broom at it I was so pissed.

@MarksBackyardBirds 4 ай бұрын

This video may help kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hZdmhNZ2ydHTeGg.htmlsi=rRw9azDzTpcObmtg

@dawnj1745 2 ай бұрын

Definitely get a caged feeder for your downy. My downy is ways in my caged feeder whether I have loose seed, seed cylinder, or suet. Starlings and grackles can't get in at all