The Downys are small enough to fit inside. The Hairys may have long enough tongues--I know the the flickers have no trouble using the cages.

Christine Southwick
N Seattle/ Shoreline
clsouthwick at pugetsoundbirds.org
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

On Mon, 24 May 2010, Kristi Hein wrote:

> Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 18:27:58 -0700
> From: Kristi Hein <khc at picturesandwords.com>
> To: Tweeters List <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
> Subject: [Tweeters] Re: Starling-proof feeders ???
>
> This time of year Starlings will demolish suet, even in the upside-down feeders
> that are supposed to be Starling-proof. Ours figured those out in no time. They
> have chicks to feed, and the chicks will soon be out and about and chasing
> after the parents with their nails-on-blackboard screeches. Starlings (and
> HOSPs) also will polish off sunflower chips from the "Clingers Only" feeder.
>
> I am thinking of buying the suet feeder, as described by Bob Sundstrom, that
> screens out Starlings with an outer cage that lets in the chickadees and
> nuthatches. However, I'm afraid the Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers won't be able
> to reach into it; they visit ours a lot, and soon their chicks will arrive too.
> I will probably leave up the upside-down suet feeder outside my office; at
> least when I'm working, and a Starling alights, I can shake the long-handled
> feather duster that I keep propped on the windowsill and scare it off.
>
> My husband says we need a "bird recognition" technology that opens up the
> feeder to the native birds and closes it to introduced pests.
>
> This time only lasts another month or so, anyway.
>
> cheers,
>
> Kristi Hein
> Anacortes
> khc
> at
> picturesandwords.com
>
>

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