(That was my best Shakespeare impersonation.) Or, said another way: Thine censure must beest putteth upon thoust Shakespeare. Too many people dislike starlings already, so I won’t pile on. As you might expect, the introduction of starlings has had a negative impact on our native birds, but I’m not going to get into that right now. In just a few decades their population went from none to millions. Can you imagine?) Regardless of why they are here, Starlings are a very adaptable species and it didn’t take long for them to make themselves at home. (But at least Eugene didn’t want us all to speak like Shakespeare. How did they get here? In the late 1800s, some bonehead by the name of Eugene Schieffelin thought it would be cool for the New World to have all the birds mentioned in the writings of William Shakespeare. Then again, I can’t remember how to eat dinner without putting my elbows on the table, so I guess we’re even.)Īs you probably can guess by their name, European Starlings aren’t native birds. Even my own mother couldn’t remember the difference, no matter how many times I told her. I’ve spent years correcting people who call grackles, starlings and vice versa, but it never seems to sink in. (FYI: Starlings and another least favorite bird, the native Common Grackle, are totally different birds. Seeing starlings on a feeder doesn’t sit well with some people because these invasive birds are on just about everybody’s “least favorite” bird list. The vast majority of these unidentified birds are starlings. So far this winter I’ve received dozens of emails containing photos of “mystery” birds. Yet many people have trouble identifying them. European Starlings are distinctive looking birds, with an estimated North American population of perhaps 200 million individuals. You recognized the new visitors to your feeder. Has there been some kind of explosion in their local population? But lately starlings have taken over my suet feeder. If you want to add fat balls to your range of bird foods, give us a call on freephone: 08 and we can chat about what type of fat ball feeder would be best for your garden.I have been feeding birds in the same yard for over twenty years and have never had any starlings before. We always recommend putting fresh clean water out every day of the year. The wide diameter cage means even when the birds land on the guardian, long necks and beaks still cannot reach the food within.ĭon’t forget that wild birds need water as much as food for drinking and bathing. View our excellent range of starling proof fat ball bird feeders. It even deters all but the most determined large birds such as starlings. This heavy gauge coated steel guardian cage protects the bird feeder within from marauding squirrels and parakeets. Take a look at our Fat Ball and Suet Guardian Feeder. How can I stop squirrels eating the fat balls? They make an attractive feature and effective feeder for small birds in every garden. Our Pyramid Suet Ball & Fat Ball Feeder is especially good at attracting small birds who can cling to the frame, while larger more dominant birds find accessing the suet and fat balls more difficult. You can also buy tube fat ball feeders that hold up to four fat balls and can be hung from trees, poles or your garden feeding station. This allows more birds to feed at one time and means less frequent refilling for you! Our Fat Ball Feeder Ring is made from heavy gauge steel for a longer life and will hold up to six fat balls. What types of fat ball feeders can I use? Unlike humans, birds have such high-energy lives that they won’t become overweight. Birds carry a layer of fat as ‘fuel’ just beneath the surface of the skin. Fat balls offer a tasty treat for your birds, while providing them with the fat they need for energy and warmth throughout the day and night.
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