I'm seeking advice. We have a couple of feeders in our backyard; one
is a platform-type feeder and the other is one of those little round
ball feeders which are supposed to be squirrel-resistant.

The problem is, although we have lots of chickadees in the yard, the
feeders are monopolized by house finches (and a few - ugh - house
sparrows, too). Even the round one, from which they are unable to feed
effectively - a finch will simply stand on top of it and chase away
any other bird that CAN feed from it.

Anyone have any ideas of how to discourage the finches without
discouraging the chickadees and nuthatches?

Josh Hayes, Columbia Basin Research
josh at pogo.cqs.washington.edu