[My Daily Run]

I have had a bird feeder for almost a year. It took a long time for the birds to discover and trust it. I clean it and change the feed as it does get moldy if no one eats it. I suddenly got beautiful cardinals visiting. Many of them early morning and evening. I was thrilled then suddenly the red wing blackbirds and regular blackbirds started coming. I understand that they need to eat too but they are driving my cardinals away and emptying my feeder in one day. I took the feeder down and the blackbirds have started to leave but not without squealing for days. My cardinals come to visit but unfortunately my feeder is gone. Is there anything I can do to just attract non pesty wild birds. HELP

[graciegirl]

Those cheeky black birds are bathing in our fountain and forcing the other birds away from there too.

Does every species have selfish bullies?

[kittygilchrist]

One can buy a system that emits a distress call that is somewhat species specific to repel blackbirds-- at birdstopper.com. My son downloaded distress calls to his android phone from an app. Maybe that's worth a try.

[kittygilchrist]

How to Deter Blackbirds From Roosting in Trees | eHow.com

Here's a step by step guide.

[kittygilchrist]

Black Bird in Distress Sound Clip and Quote - Hark
Here's a download of the distress call...

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by My Daily Run

I have had a bird feeder for almost a year. It took a long time for the birds to discover and trust it. I clean it and change the feed as it does get moldy if no one eats it. I suddenly got beautiful cardinals visiting. Many of them early morning and evening. I was thrilled then suddenly the red wing blackbirds and regular blackbirds started coming. I understand that they need to eat too but they are driving my cardinals away and emptying my feeder in one day. I took the feeder down and the blackbirds have started to leave but not without squealing for days. My cardinals come to visit but unfortunately my feeder is gone. Is there anything I can do to just attract non pesty wild birds. HELP

NO! Sorry to be so blunt, but there is no way of selectively feeding the birds. One year we had Mocking Birds nesting in the yard and they dive bombed anything that came through to feed, we finally turned the hose on them full force and I think they got the message. They still come to feed, but do not bother the other birds. We have a pair of cardinals, they come morning and night, we have red winged black birds, grackles (huge noisy birds), and this year we have a pair of russet thrush(s) who are raising a family in the corner near our office. We are also inundated with doves - every time I walk through the yard I find a dove sitting on the ground and just staring at me! I let my plants just grow, and never cut them back, so the birds have plenty of protection.

Try to keep in mind that the birds are eating insects and bugs in your yard and the more birds you have the more bugs they will eat.

[n8xwb]

I had the same problem earlier this year. I changed to safflower seeds....cardinals and finches like them, but the blackbirds not so much. They still stop by, but eat very little and leave. Good Luck!

[duffysmom]

Originally Posted by n8xwb

I had the same problem earlier this year. I changed to safflower seeds....cardinals and finches like them, but the blackbirds not so much. They still stop by, but eat very little and leave. Good Luck!

Safflower or Sunflower seeds? Thank you, I love the mourning doves, very gentle slow moving birds. The baby mourning doves are adorable, they have pink beaks and feet. This is the first year I've seen the Russet birds, they are cocky like the blackbirds; all God's creatures are precious.

[scarecrow1]

Just remember that seeds on the ground attract un wanted guests like snakes.

[My Daily Run]

Thank you n8xwb I went to Home Depot and got Safflower Seed. I first went to Ace Hardware as I like to shop the small stores but they do not carry it. It is very expensive but I put the feeder out and the blackbirds are feaking out. They do not like the safflower seed and it says on the bag that Cardinals and Finches love it so I'm looking forward to see who feeds at it tonight...but I know the blackbirds don't...not at all. I am so happy...thank you !!!

[LI SNOWBIRD]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

How to Deter Blackbirds From Roosting in Trees | eHow.com

Here's a step by step guide.

someone using a propane cannon here in TV. I remember farmers using them in cornfields as a kid, but not in years.

[batman911]

Originally Posted by scarecrow1

Just remember that seeds on the ground attract un wanted guests like snakes.

Actually snakes do not like to eat seeds. They eat the rats that are attracted to the seeds.

[jimmy D]

Take out the feeder for appox 10 days. birds will be gone