Blackbirds, those glossy, intelligent birds, can be a welcome sight in many gardens. However, their voracious appetites can quickly turn a bird feeding haven into a blackbird buffet, leaving little for the smaller, more desirable songbirds you’re trying to attract. It’s a common frustration for bird enthusiasts, but thankfully, there are several effective strategies to manage blackbird populations at your feeders without harming them. This comprehensive guide explores various methods, from choosing the right types of seed to employing clever deterrents, ensuring a balanced bird feeding experience for all.
Understanding Blackbird Behavior
Before diving into solutions, it’s crucial to understand the behavior and preferences of blackbirds. Identifying their specific species also helps tailor your approach.
Identifying Common Blackbird Species
In North America, the most common culprits are the Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, and Brown-headed Cowbird. The Red-winged Blackbird, with its distinctive red shoulder patches (epaulets) on the males, is easily recognizable. Common Grackles are larger, with a long tail and an iridescent sheen to their feathers. Brown-headed Cowbirds are brood parasites, meaning they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds.
Blackbird Feeding Habits
Blackbirds are opportunistic feeders, meaning they’ll eat almost anything available. They prefer grains, seeds, insects, and even small fruits. They often feed in flocks, which explains why a few blackbirds can quickly deplete a feeder. Understanding their preference for ground feeding is essential in implementing effective deterrents. Blackbirds prefer large, flat surfaces for feeding and will often dominate ground feeders.
Choosing the Right Birdseed
The type of birdseed you offer can significantly impact the species you attract. Selecting seed that blackbirds find less appealing is a simple yet effective strategy.
Safflower Seed
Safflower seed is a favorite among cardinals, chickadees, and nuthatches, while blackbirds generally avoid it. This makes it an excellent choice for attracting desired songbirds while deterring blackbirds. Replace your sunflower seed with safflower to see a noticeable difference.
Nyjer (Thistle) Seed
Nyjer seed is a tiny, oil-rich seed that appeals to finches, especially goldfinches. Blackbirds have difficulty handling the small seeds and often ignore feeders filled with it. Use a specialized Nyjer feeder with small feeding ports to further discourage larger birds.
Avoid Corn and Millet
Blackbirds are particularly fond of corn and millet. Avoid mixes containing these ingredients if you’re trying to minimize their presence. Opt for mixes with a higher proportion of sunflower seeds, safflower, and Nyjer.
Employing Blackbird Deterrents
Various physical and behavioral deterrents can discourage blackbirds from frequenting your feeders. These methods focus on making it more difficult or less appealing for them to access the food.
Feeder Design
The design of your bird feeder plays a crucial role in controlling which birds can access the seed. Certain feeder types are specifically designed to exclude larger birds like blackbirds.
Tube Feeders with Cages
Tube feeders enclosed in wire cages allow smaller birds to enter and feed, while preventing larger birds from reaching the seed. The cage bars should be spaced narrowly enough to exclude blackbirds but wide enough for smaller songbirds.
Weight-Activated Feeders
These feeders are designed to close off the feeding ports when a bird of a certain weight lands on the perch. Since blackbirds are generally heavier than the desired songbirds, the ports will close, denying them access to the seed. Adjust the weight sensitivity to optimize for your specific bird populations.
Suet Feeders with Tail Props
Suet is a high-energy food source that attracts woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees. Use suet feeders with a tail prop, a vertical extension that encourages birds to brace themselves against it while feeding. Blackbirds are less adept at using these feeders.
Physical Barriers
Creating physical barriers around your feeding area can make it more difficult for blackbirds to access the seed. These barriers don’t have to be elaborate; simple modifications can make a big difference.
Netting
Draping netting over your feeders can prevent blackbirds from landing and feeding. Choose a netting with small enough mesh to exclude blackbirds but large enough to allow smaller birds to pass through.
Prickly Shrubs
Planting prickly shrubs around your feeding area can deter blackbirds from approaching. Thorny bushes make it uncomfortable for them to perch and forage near the feeders.
Strategic Placement of Feeders
Where you place your bird feeders can also influence the types of birds that visit. Blackbirds prefer open areas where they can easily spot predators and access the ground.
Elevated Feeders
Hang your feeders from trees or poles high enough off the ground to make it difficult for blackbirds to reach them. The feeders should be in open areas to prevent cats from hiding.
Avoid Ground Feeding
Blackbirds are ground feeders, so avoid scattering seed on the ground. Use a seed tray under your elevated feeders to catch spilled seed and minimize ground foraging.
Scare Tactics
Scare tactics are temporary solutions that can discourage blackbirds from visiting your feeders. These methods rely on startling or disturbing the birds, making them less likely to return.
Visual Deterrents
Visual deterrents can be effective in scaring away blackbirds. These objects exploit their natural fear of predators or unfamiliar objects.
Reflective Objects
Hang reflective objects like old CDs or aluminum foil strips near your feeders. The flashing light and movement can startle blackbirds and discourage them from approaching.
Predator Decoys
Place predator decoys, such as plastic owls or hawks, near your feeders. Move the decoys frequently to prevent blackbirds from becoming accustomed to them.
Auditory Deterrents
Auditory deterrents use sound to scare away blackbirds. These devices emit noises that blackbirds find unpleasant or alarming.
Ultrasonic Devices
Ultrasonic devices emit high-frequency sounds that are inaudible to humans but can be disturbing to birds. These devices can be effective in deterring blackbirds from a large area.
Noise Makers
Use noisemakers like wind chimes or pinwheels to create unpredictable sounds that startle blackbirds. Place these devices near your feeders to maximize their effectiveness.
Maintaining a Clean Feeding Area
A clean feeding area is essential for preventing the spread of disease and attracting a diverse range of birds. Regular cleaning also minimizes the amount of spilled seed that blackbirds can access.
Regular Cleaning
Clean your bird feeders regularly, ideally once every one to two weeks. Remove any old or moldy seed, and scrub the feeder with a brush and hot, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and allow the feeder to dry completely before refilling it.
Seed Spillage Management
Sweep up any spilled seed around your feeders regularly to prevent blackbirds from foraging on the ground. Consider using a seed tray to catch spilled seed and make cleanup easier.
Adjusting Feeding Schedules and Amounts
Adjusting the amount of food you put out and the times you feed can also help reduce blackbird visitation.
Smaller Quantities
Avoid filling your feeders to the brim. Instead, offer smaller quantities of seed that will be consumed more quickly by your desired birds, leaving less for blackbirds.
Strategic Timing
Observe when blackbirds are most active in your yard. If they tend to visit in the morning, avoid filling your feeders until later in the day, after the songbirds have had their fill.
Consider Other Food Sources
Blackbirds are attracted to readily available food sources. By managing other potential food sources in your yard, you can reduce their reliance on your bird feeders.
Garden Management
Keep your garden tidy and remove any fallen fruits or vegetables that might attract blackbirds. Protect fruit trees and berry bushes with netting.
Compost Management
Compost piles can be a tempting food source for blackbirds. Keep your compost pile covered and ensure that food scraps are buried to minimize their accessibility.
Persistence and Observation
Managing blackbird populations at your feeders requires persistence and observation. Not all methods will work equally well in every situation.
Experimentation
Experiment with different combinations of deterrents and feeding strategies to find what works best for your yard and bird population. Be patient and persistent in your efforts.
Monitoring and Adjustment
Regularly monitor your bird feeders and observe the behavior of blackbirds and other birds. Adjust your strategies as needed to optimize your bird feeding experience.
Keeping blackbirds from dominating your bird feeders requires a multi-faceted approach. By understanding their behavior, selecting appropriate seed, employing deterrents, and maintaining a clean feeding area, you can create a balanced and enjoyable bird feeding experience for all. Remember that consistency is key, and that patience will pay off as you discover the best methods for managing blackbirds in your specific situation. With a little effort, you can transform your yard into a haven for a diverse range of songbirds, while keeping the blackbirds at bay.
Why are blackbirds so attracted to my bird feeders?
Blackbirds are often attracted to bird feeders because they are opportunistic feeders with a varied diet. They are naturally drawn to readily available and easily accessible food sources like birdseed, especially mixes containing their preferred seeds such as sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn. The concentration of food at a feeder, compared to scattered natural sources, makes it an attractive and efficient foraging option.
Furthermore, blackbirds are social birds and often travel in flocks. When one blackbird discovers a reliable food source like your bird feeder, it’s likely to attract others. Their presence can quickly deplete your seed supply and potentially deter smaller, more desirable birds from visiting your feeders.
What types of birdseed are least appealing to blackbirds?
Blackbirds generally prefer larger seeds and grains, so avoiding seed mixes heavily composed of sunflower seeds, cracked corn, millet, and peanuts can help deter them. Focus on offering seeds that are less palatable to them, such as nyjer (thistle) seed, which is a favorite of finches, or white-striped sunflower seeds (which have a thicker hull). Safflower seeds are also often avoided by blackbirds, though some individuals may still consume them.
Consider providing seed mixes specifically designed for smaller songbirds. These mixes often contain smaller seeds and less of the grains favored by blackbirds. While there’s no guarantee they will be completely ignored, reducing the availability of their preferred foods can make your feeders less attractive to them and encourage them to seek food elsewhere.
How can I physically deter blackbirds from reaching my feeders?
Using feeders with smaller perches or weight-activated perches can be effective in deterring blackbirds. Blackbirds are larger and heavier than many songbirds, so smaller perches may be uncomfortable or impossible for them to use. Weight-activated feeders will close off access to the seed if a bird exceeding a certain weight lands on the perch, preventing them from feeding.
Cage feeders are another option. These feeders enclose the seed within a wire cage with openings large enough for smaller birds to enter but too small for larger birds like blackbirds. Position feeders away from trees and shrubs that can act as launching pads for the blackbirds, forcing them to fly directly to the feeder and potentially exposing them to predators.
Will regularly cleaning my feeders help keep blackbirds away?
While regularly cleaning your feeders won’t directly deter blackbirds, it is crucial for maintaining a healthy feeding environment for all birds. Dirty feeders can harbor bacteria, mold, and other pathogens that can sicken birds, including blackbirds. Maintaining cleanliness prevents the spread of disease and ensures a safer feeding station.
Moreover, spilled seed around the base of the feeder can attract unwanted pests, including rodents and blackbirds. Cleaning up spilled seed regularly eliminates a readily available food source, making your yard less appealing to them. A clean feeding area contributes to a healthier and less attractive environment for undesirable birds.
Are there any humane deterrents I can use to scare blackbirds away?
Visual deterrents can be effective in scaring blackbirds away without harming them. Reflective tape, pinwheels, or scarecrows placed near your feeders can startle them and discourage them from approaching. Move these deterrents around periodically to prevent the birds from becoming accustomed to them.
Auditory deterrents, such as ultrasonic bird repellers or recordings of predator calls, can also be used. However, ensure the sounds are not too loud or disruptive to your neighbors and other wildlife. The goal is to create an environment that is undesirable to blackbirds without causing harm or excessive disturbance.
How can I make my yard less attractive to blackbirds overall?
Reduce the availability of food sources that attract blackbirds by minimizing the amount of spilled seed around your feeders. Regularly clean up any fallen seed to eliminate this easily accessible food source. Consider using seed catchers beneath your feeders to prevent seed from scattering on the ground.
Also, manage your lawn and garden to reduce the availability of insects and weed seeds that blackbirds may eat. Keep your grass mowed, control weeds, and avoid leaving out pet food or other potential food sources. By reducing the overall food availability, you can make your yard less appealing to blackbirds.
Is there a feeder placement strategy that might help?
Positioning your feeders in open areas, away from trees and dense shrubs, can make it more difficult for blackbirds to access them. Blackbirds prefer to have cover nearby for quick escapes from predators, so open areas make them feel more vulnerable. This can deter them from spending extended periods at your feeders.
Consider placing feeders at different heights. Smaller songbirds may prefer feeders closer to the ground, while others may prefer feeders higher up. Experimenting with feeder placement can help you create a diverse feeding environment that caters to the needs of different bird species while potentially discouraging blackbirds.