Bird Feeder Problems with Grackles, Blackbirds & Mourning Doves

Some of the problem birds at Bird feeders can include Grackles, Blackbirds, Crows, Mourning Doves, and Starlings. There is a very common issue in Backyard Wild Bird feeding of how to attract and feed desirable songbirds and yet limit access to undesirable birds and pests. All of these problem birds can monopolize feeders and deplete the bird's food very quickly, so there is none left for the songbirds. One strategy is to let the feeders go empty or remove them for a few days until these birds have moved on to a more reliable food source. A more active approach is to use our knowledge about these birds to our advantage.

See an expanded and updated article on this topic at Bird Feeder Problems with Grackles, Blackbirds and Mourning Doves

Bird Feeders & Bird Seed

Sunflower bird seed is by far the most popular bird seed that attracts a large variety of wild birds. There are quite a few types and styles of Bird Feeders for sunflower seeds and most do a good job.

The Sunflower Seed Bird Feeder shown here is a wire mesh style that Cardianls will come to and which allows many more birds being able to feed at the same time. It has a small tray to accommodate the perching birds like Cardinals. Clinging birds like the Chickadee, Titmouse, Nuthatch and Woodpeckers like to cling to the wire mesh to feed. It can also discourage larger undesirable birds like Grackles and Mourning Doves.


Goldfinch Thistle seed bird feeders are the second most popular type of bird feeder. Thistle seed is tiny seeds that Goldfinches and others love. A good example of a thistle feeder is the yellow accented wire mesh feeder designed just for the thistle. This Finch Tube Bird Feeder has internal dividers to maintain seed in upper levels for longer use by many birds. Its tray catches fallen seed so the birds can still find and use it.

Peanut bird feeders can be added as an extra type of feeder to attract more unusual types of birds. The Woodpecker Peanut Bird Feeder holds the peanuts in wire openings that are just right to allow birds to peck their treat out. This gives the opportunity to see these birds for a longer time. Red Belly Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, etc. all frequent this type of feeder. The spiral arm gives them an extra perch that they like to go around on to find their choice peanut.

These are just a few examples of all the different styles available, more Bird Feeders can be seen here. Squirrel Baffles can be added to these bird feeders to have Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders.

Special Bird Feeders

There are many types of Bird Feeders and some are specialized to hold the different bird food. Attract the more unusual and desirable birds to your backyard by providing each type of bird what they need with Special Bird Feeders.

Hummingbird Bird Feeder:

The Hummingbird-Feeder-Clear-Dome show here is a good example of a hummingbird feeder with nectar protective dome above. Nectar Hummingbird feeders spaced around the yard can attract groups of Hummingbirds coming north from Mexico during their migration. Place the feeders so they are out of the line of sight from one another, so that one male Hummingbird does not dominant all the feeders. You can learn how to Attract Hummingbirds to Feeders here!

Bluebird Bird Feeder
Special Birdbird Feeders are necessary because Bluebirds are not seed eaters, but feed on insects and love mealworms.
Set out this Bluebird Mealworm Feeder to attract Bluebirds. Bluebirds are cavity dwellers. They appreciate and will use a nice Bluebird house in more open areas or on the edge of fields. By providing their food and shelter you have a better chance of having them stick around.

Oriole Bird Feeder:

Oriole Feeders are nectar and fruit loving birds, so you can use nectar feeders that are made for them and fruit trays. Orioles love orange wedges and grape jelly. Once they find your feeders they stop by regularly. Oriole Fruit Jelly Bird Feeder shown here has a protective orange roof to shade the oranges and Jelly and keep it fresh.

Some of these birds most people may never see, but now that you know how to attract them with these and other Special Bird Feeders. You can attract and share the experience with your family.

Tube Bird Feeder

There are many categories of Bird Feeders at Backyard Wild Birds that can perform special functions, offer a special type of seed or are meant to attract a certain kind of wild bird. All have their pluses and minuses, and some stand out from the crowd. Some of the categories are Tube Bird Feeders, Squirrel Bird Feeders, large Hopper Bird Feeders, Window Bird Feeders and Hummingbird Feeders to name a few.

I’m going to focus on the Tube Bird Feeders which is one of the oldest and most popular types. One example of a classic tube bird feeder is the Bird Feeders Bird Feeder show here. A birder who has experience with lots of feeders over a long period gets to know what they like and what works. The Bird Feeders Bird Feeder is a birder’s best in class feeder and it is so because of its excellent design. One main criteria has to be quality and the ability to last. This feeder has metal parts that are heavy die-cast brass metal for the caps, ports, base and a clear UV stabilized polycarbonate tube feeder. This material makes the clear tube very rugged and it won’t crack or turn yellow. Its perches are positioned to be offset as they go around the tube so not have the birds above bothering those below. The perches are also mostly in the bottom half of the tube, so the birds can feed for a longer time as the seed goes down. At the tube bottom is a seed diverter that delivers the seed to the bottom port where the birds can reach all of it. This meets a second criteria, in that it must have good seed delivery and not waste seed. The tube feeder comes with a must have Quick-Clean removable base. Just 'push the buttons' and it slides out. A third criteria is accomplished with its easy cleaning, maintenance and refilling of seed. This is a sunflower seed feeder which is by far the most popular seed to attract the most variety of wild birds. Squirrel Baffles are available that make this feeder into a Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders.

See other top Bird Feeders at Backyard Wild Birds here!