Birdman’s Thoughts: Squirrel Proof Feeders

Jacobi — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:38:27 +0000

Squirrels are the #1 critter for most folks who feed birds. They are very smart, super athletes and never quit. The problems: 1) they steal seed; 2) they keep birds off your feeders when they’re pigging out; and 3) they chew on everything and can completely destroy plastic perches and feeding ports.

After 40 years of feeding birds, I am convinced that you’ll never completely stop their thievery. If you can reduce their seed stealing and feeder occupancy by 90% or so, you’re close to the world record. Even the best squirrel-proof feeders, like the Yankee Flipper, Brome Squirrel Buster Plus and Mandarin Sky Cafe, will yield some seed spillage to a squirrel willing to throw himself at the feeder to make it swing!

Squirrels will do anything it takes!

Dealing with squirrels takes two directions:

1) Putting a barrier in their path.

Squirrels can jump 4 to 5 feet straight up, and about 9 feet from the side. they will drop up to 20 feet from overhead limbs or wires to reach a feeder, and will slide down a rope, wire or chain to reach a suspended feeder.

Pole-mounted feeders can be protected by locating them 10 feet away from anything a squirrel can jump from, and mounting a squirrel baffle on the pole, below the feeder and at least 4 feet above the ground. I recommend the Erva Stovepipe Baffle or Erva Scalloped Edge Baffle.

Hanging feeders can be protected with a hanging disc baffle like the Erva Hanging Baffle, which blocks the squirrel’s access from above and usually tips under its weight, sliding the squirrel off.

2) Use a properly installed squirrel-proof feeder.

My favorites, based on lots of experience and customer testimonials:

The Yankee Flipper – one of the very best and almost certainly the most fun!