You fill the feeder before you go to sleep, and by morning, it's all gone. There's not even a single bird and just some leftover shells. If this seems like a normal for you, you don't have hungry birds, you have a thief. Let's determine who is the real culprit, and how to get your seed back.
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Check PriceThief #1: Squirrels – The Acrobatic Seed Raiders
Squirrels are the raiders with the most determination when it comes to feeders. They are able to leap a horizontal distance of 10 feet, and drop from even greater distances without injury. They make feeder placements simple targets. Eastern gray squirrels are the common offenders, but depending on the area you live in, red squirrels and flying squirrels can also be a problem.
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Squirrels show a great level of intelligence, and determination which makes keeping them away from feeders even more challenging. These animals will hang from branches, chew through plastic feeders, and will work over time to solve 'squirrel proof' mechanisms. Given this, it isn't surprising that feeders are emptied quickly, as one squirrel can consume or cache nearly one pound of seeds in a week.
Due to their nighttime operation, flying squirrels should probably be noted in your descriptions as nearly invisible thieves. If you wake up to empty feeders but never see the thief during the day, a flying squirrel could be gliding in after dark. These nocturnal raiders are smaller than their daytime cousins but are equally capable of emptying a feeder.
There are a few signs of squirrel robbery such as scattered seeds at the foot of the bird feeder, evidence of squirrel acrobatics in the snow or mulch, and chewed feeder pieces. Also keep an eye out for squirrels watching the feeders from the trees. Squirrels are bold, quick, smart, and extremely food motivated which makes them tough competitors in the backyard bird feeder wars.
Dieb Nr. 2: Räuber, die schwarze Vögel und Starlinge attackieren
A significant amount of birds can drain a feeder quicker than you would expect. At dawn, Common grackles, red-winged blackbirds, and European starlings arrive in large groups and take over feeders before the little songbirds get a chance. They are in your face, seize the moment type of birds that come in such large numbers that they outmatch your average backyard feeder.
Grackles can be very bothersome when birdwatching. They are large enough to displace other birds and smart enough to work out most feeder designs. A dozen grackles can completely empty a feeder in less than an hour, and this is especially true for feeders that dispense sunflower seeds or suet. Grackles can often be seen hanging around feeding and continuously knocking seed out to feed on the ground.
The European starling is an invasive species in North America, and they also pose similar problems. They travel in flocks that can reach hundreds of individuals, and they're generalist feeders, meaning they will eat any kind of food. Most notably, they are very attracted to suet, mealworms, and other soft foods. Their feeding behavior is aggressive and disruptive, usually excluding native species such as bluebirds, chickadees, and finches, from getting food.
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The timing of these raids is crucial when figuring out which birds are pests. If your feeders are full at dusk, and then empty by half-morning, and you are seeing large dark birds in groups, then you have blackbird-family bullies. These birds are most bothersome during migration season in spring and fall, but some populations stay year around depending on your area.
Thief #3: Sneaky Night Visitors – Raccoons and rodents
Nocturnal mammals can be the real reason about mysteriously empty feeders. Raccoons are strong, and very determined when they have spotted a food source. Those little hands can open latches, tip over poles, and even take apart feeders that are “raccoon proof.” They can also damage the feeder by pulling it down, and can take all the food in a big feeder in one night.
Raccoons are particularly destructive because they do not just eat. They investigate. Once they know where the food is, they return night after night to dismantle feeders and scatter the seeds everywhere. They also break poles and crack open feeders. If you find the feeder on the ground, a pole bent, or a feeder cracked open, it's likely a raccoon. Even though they are most active in the spring and summer when they are feeding young, raccoons will raid feeders throughout the year in many places.
Mice and rats may do their thieving without making noise, but they also can be just as successful as their fellow thieves. These rodents can climb pole feeders, are able to get into small openings, and are capable of eating or storing significant quantities of seed. Common feeder thieves include deer mice, white-footed mice, and Norway rats. These little thieves are especially drawn to spilled seed on the ground, which in turn encourages them to move to the feeder itself.
Signs of rodent activity can be seen as small droppings near the base of the feeder, gnaw marks on wood or plastic, and the gradual disappearance of seeds night by night as opposed to all at once. Additionally, small trails in grass or mulch may be visible as rodents climb surprisingly well and will be undeterred by height.
Simple Steps To Keep Seeds For The Birds: Protect Your Feeders
Stopping squirrels from raiding your feeders isn't an impossible task. With a couple of changes to your feeders, you can keep cardinals, chickadees, finches, and other songbirds well-fed while also feeding your squirrels. Start with placement. Make sure to mount feeders a minimum of ten to twelve feet away from any launching point (i.e., trees, fences, or structures).
A good baffle is worth the investment. These dome or cylinder shaped guards mount above/below feeders, and truly work with proper installation. For pole mounted feeders, a baffle at least four feet off the ground will block squirrels and raccoons from climbing up. For hanging feeders, a baffle dome above stops squirrels from falling from above.
Consider using selective feeders that will keep larger birds and mammals away. Weight-activated feeders will close feeding ports when larger animals come, and caged feeders will allow small songbirds to come in but will keep out squirrels, grackles, and starlings. These designs allow for feeding chickadees, finches, and nuthatches while keeping feeder thieves at bay.
You might need to change how you feed the birds. If raccoon problems are particularly bad, take the feeders in at night and put them out in the morning again. This change could help with bear issues as well in certain areas. Also, to minimize bully birds, don’t use feeder bird foods that they like. Instead of cheaper mixes and cracked corn, use safflower seeds and nyjer seeds, as grackles and starlings will largely leave those feeders alone.
Please maintain the cleanliness of the area. Spilled seeds draw pests and thieves. Consider using seed catchers or purchasing no mess seed blends under feeders. Rake or sweep the area frequently to minimize build up.
You might want to assess adding some native plantings. Native feeders create food sources and will spread out feeding activity and reduce the pressure on a single feeder. Coneflowers, black-eyed, natives, serviceberry, and oaks create a healthier backyard habitat overall and support a diverse species of birds.
Happy birding! You can outsmart thief feeders with the right placement, equipment, and timing! Enjoy watching the birds as you feed them!
