Ravens

[GinaD]

My bird feeder has been taken over by ravens the last couple of weeks! They seem to manage the hanging feeders no problems so the bluetits and sparrows aren't getting a look in. Is there anything I can do to deter them without frightening off the others?


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[Jeanied]

Hi Gina - are you sure they are Ravens? It is really rare for them to visit gardens and bird feeders - they are more likely to eat the birds themselves. Can you post a picture so we can identify them and help?

[GinaD]

Hi Jeanie I'll try to get photo tomorrow. In mean time I looked on my bird app and wondering maybe crows. Or a type of jackdaw. Like a crow but with a grey head (which I always thought was a raven but am I wrong?).


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[mrbadexample]

Like a crow but with a grey head

Pretty sure that'll be your jackdaw.

[GinaD]

Yes I think now it is a jackdaw, any ideas how to keep them off my bird feeder? 😀


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[Verinda]

I have jackdaws and magpies on my feeders, they are so used to me banging on the window they have started ignoring me! My dad used to put a sort of homemade wire frame round the feeders so only the smaller birds could get through. I think I will have to try the same.

[veggiechicken]

We used to put the feeders within a cage made from 2 wire hanging baskets, joined together to make a globe. The small birds could get through the mesh but the large birds and squirrels couldn't.

[scarey55]

Something like this perhaps?



I think you can buy one from the RSPB website but they cost about £30

VC's idea sounds a lot cheaper

[Two_Sheds]

You can buy them just about anywhere*, and for less than £30, usually called "squirrel proof feeder"



* garden centres, discount shops, etc

[GinaD]

I've seen them before just never occurred to me! Thanks all for the advice! 😀


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[ancee]

A friend of mine used an old large parrot cage and put the feeders inside it. The little birds get through but the big ones can't. She made one out of an old fire guard too. The reason for it though was she has a sparrow hawk which visits her garden for lunch - and he's not bothered about the feeders!