Great video, Mark! I have the squirrel buster tube feeder with the cardinal ring. I bought it for this specific purpose. Last winter, the starlings became so angry when the holes closed up that they just sat there holding the holes closed. If they weren't getting any, then nobody else was either.
This is my first year of doing bird feeding, and I think I saw one starling until the cold weather hit then I have a ton of them with a ton of mourning doves competing for food. I have the squirrel buster suet feeder, and one starling can eat comfortably, two can get at a sliver of it, but when 3 or 5 are on it it closes up tight.
Cold temperatures started here in N. Central Texas, and sounds like wintery weather headed this way. I do not typically see too many starlings, but harsh weather brings tons of red wing blackbirds and cowbirds.
Dealing with European Starlings here too and I'm torn because I finally saw my first Pileated in my yard since I moved here in 2019. I want her to come back to eat my suet so I may have to put up with the pesky Starlings.
Thanks, Mark. I put suet out today. I'm guessing it'll be gone in a day or two because of the starlings. Was going to order a bottom feeder but wondered about them locating it.
I’ve had good luck throwing meal worm and a piece of suet cake on the ground away from the feeders and the starlings seem to prefer the ground feeding and they love the meal worms. Helps keep them away from my feeders
A couple days the starlings came in numbers of 15 or so attacking all my feeders. But after a few days it changed and now I get only 3 or 4 at a time and are not bothering all my other birds coming.
They're incredibly intelligent, which is why they're able to dominate almost all other birds. Listening to them speak english and do r2d2 impressions etc. made me understand what kind of bird it really is. If people didn't mess with nature these birds would've been super stars by bird fans. Or they would've ended up here eventually anyways on their own and they'd have the same reputation. 😅
As always, great video. Not sure if you have done a more in depth video on the harms of invasive species such as house sparrows and starlings? I feel as though many folks aren’t aware they are invasive and cause so much harm to our native songbirds and that it would be great if you could raise awareness of this issue. I feel as though many roll out the welcome mat for them without even realizing the ramifications of doing so or even upstanding they aren’t native birds
I frequently watch a local bird feeder live cam here in Maine, and starlings have really started to dominate. It's a huge tray feeder; the other birds have room to feed at the same time. However, there are times when the starlings will totally take over. I started to wonder, are starlings an invasive species?? And apparently yes. There's something extraterrestrial about their personality. The way they move around feeding areas so fast for their size, and are an assertive hive mind. I definitely like starlings, but don't want their population to get any bigger. Anyways, fantastic video that was fascinating all the way through.
Mark! Thank you so much for posting your thoughts. Can you recommend a Starling-cage feeder that would allow for my bluebirds to eat? I have my suet in an upside-down feeder. I have two Squirrel Buster Plus....One with a sunflower/safflower/millet bend, the other with mealworms which my bluebirds enjoy. I've adjusted the weight control on my squirrel buster, but the starlings have learned that if they jump on the cardinal ring, they can gain access to the food!! I appreciate their problem solving, but they can drain an entire tube in a day!! Is there a cage feeder that will allow the bluebirds to eat in peace?? I've trained them to use the column feeder vs platform feeder used for most bluebirds, so I appreciate your thoughts on options!
There are bluebird feeders that are enclosed with 1& 1/2 inch holes that the bluebirds and smaller birds can enter to get the mealworms but starlings, robins and other big birds can not. We carry a few but only have one in stock at the moment. Here is a link: tinyurl.com/e6zpe9vc
I understand that people only want the colorful, beautiful birds to eat the seed they put in their feeders. But, they should give Starlings another easy feeder to attract them away from a harder to get food feeder their favored birds can access easier.
Susan, people do not dislike Starlings because of how they look. Take a few minutes to do some research and learn about how many native birds they kill.
The European Starlings are one species of birds that are most beautiful among many other Starling birds, and besides, they can be trained, and they also mimic other bird sounds as well as human sounds. They are such fascinating birds.👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks, Mark! The starlings just started invading my yard. This is a very timely video for me!
Thanks Jim, I'm glad it was helpful! They are bad right now.
Great video, Mark! I have the squirrel buster tube feeder with the cardinal ring. I bought it for this specific purpose. Last winter, the starlings became so angry when the holes closed up that they just sat there holding the holes closed. If they weren't getting any, then nobody else was either.
😂
The starlings get smarter and the battle gets more challenging.
This is my first year of doing bird feeding, and I think I saw one starling until the cold weather hit then I have a ton of them with a ton of mourning doves competing for food. I have the squirrel buster suet feeder, and one starling can eat comfortably, two can get at a sliver of it, but when 3 or 5 are on it it closes up tight.
@ that’s a plus!
Cold temperatures started here in N. Central Texas, and sounds like wintery weather headed this way. I do not typically see too many starlings, but harsh weather brings tons of red wing blackbirds and cowbirds.
Yes I’m in Fort Worth and I have a flock of about 30 red wing black birds that have been camping out on me. Accompanied by a few Starlings.
You get a lot of our red-wings and cowbirds during the winter.
@MarksBackyardBirds so nice of you to share 😂
Dealing with European Starlings here too and I'm torn because I finally saw my first Pileated in my yard since I moved here in 2019. I want her to come back to eat my suet so I may have to put up with the pesky Starlings.
My nuckles get soar from rapping on the window to run them off.
@@MarksBackyardBirds 😂
Thank you! Good ideas!
Glad they were helpful!
Great video once again ❤😊
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Andrew
Thanks, Mark. I put suet out today. I'm guessing it'll be gone in a day or two because of the starlings. Was going to order a bottom feeder but wondered about them locating it.
I hope this helped.
I’ve had good luck throwing meal worm and a piece of suet cake on the ground away from the feeders and the starlings seem to prefer the ground feeding and they love the meal worms. Helps keep them away from my feeders
Since the storm started, they clean out my mealworms before the bluebirds can get to them.
Can the Carolina wren hang upside down on the suet feeder and can the pileated fit on the single cake upside down feeder
The wrens can hang upside down for sure. As for the Pileated, I'm sure that they could manage it but it may take some time.
I have a Pileated Woodpecker visiting my suet feeder daily. Will Pileated Woodpeckers try the upside down suet feeder?
@@mckenziesmall6275 I’ve never seen them on one but I feel they should be able to figure it out.
@@MarksBackyardBirds One more question, will Pileated Woodpeckers eat pure suet?
@ Yes.
they are at our feeders all day until the food is gone! Knoxville, TN. When they come they bring along so many birds people call Cow birds.
A lot of the blackbirds flock together. Commong Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbirds, and Red-winged Blackbirds will form flocks with starlings in winter.
A couple days the starlings came in numbers of 15 or so attacking all my feeders. But after a few days it changed and now I get only 3 or 4 at a time and are not bothering all my other birds coming.
I would call that a success story!
They're incredibly intelligent, which is why they're able to dominate almost all other birds. Listening to them speak english and do r2d2 impressions etc. made me understand what kind of bird it really is.
If people didn't mess with nature these birds would've been super stars by bird fans. Or they would've ended up here eventually anyways on their own and they'd have the same reputation. 😅
Starlings used to be a pest in the UK
As always, great video. Not sure if you have done a more in depth video on the harms of invasive species such as house sparrows and starlings? I feel as though many folks aren’t aware they are invasive and cause so much harm to our native songbirds and that it would be great if you could raise awareness of this issue. I feel as though many roll out the welcome mat for them without even realizing the ramifications of doing so or even upstanding they aren’t native birds
Over the years, this has been a consistent message of mine. It amazes me how many people do not care. Sad
@@MarksBackyardBirds yes you do mention it regularly which is awesome! Would you be willing to dedicate an entire video on the topic ?
@@workingbulldogs I will get one planned out. Thanks for the suggestion.
@@MarksBackyardBirds great! Looking forward to it, thank you!
I frequently watch a local bird feeder live cam here in Maine, and starlings have really started to dominate. It's a huge tray feeder; the other birds have room to feed at the same time. However, there are times when the starlings will totally take over. I started to wonder, are starlings an invasive species?? And apparently yes. There's something extraterrestrial about their personality. The way they move around feeding areas so fast for their size, and are an assertive hive mind. I definitely like starlings, but don't want their population to get any bigger.
Anyways, fantastic video that was fascinating all the way through.
@@healthyminds9279 Thank you for the kind words. So glad you liked it.
Mark! Thank you so much for posting your thoughts. Can you recommend a Starling-cage feeder that would allow for my bluebirds to eat? I have my suet in an upside-down feeder. I have two Squirrel Buster Plus....One with a sunflower/safflower/millet bend, the other with mealworms which my bluebirds enjoy. I've adjusted the weight control on my squirrel buster, but the starlings have learned that if they jump on the cardinal ring, they can gain access to the food!! I appreciate their problem solving, but they can drain an entire tube in a day!! Is there a cage feeder that will allow the bluebirds to eat in peace?? I've trained them to use the column feeder vs platform feeder used for most bluebirds, so I appreciate your thoughts on options!
There are bluebird feeders that are enclosed with 1& 1/2 inch holes that the bluebirds and smaller birds can enter to get the mealworms but starlings, robins and other big birds can not. We carry a few but only have one in stock at the moment. Here is a link: tinyurl.com/e6zpe9vc
I understand that people only want the colorful, beautiful birds to eat the seed they put in their feeders. But, they should give Starlings another easy feeder to attract them away from a harder to get food feeder their favored birds can access easier.
I know many do that for sure.
Susan, people do not dislike Starlings because of how they look. Take a few minutes to do some research and learn about how many native birds they kill.
The European Starlings are one species of birds that are most beautiful among many other Starling birds, and besides, they can be trained, and they also mimic other bird sounds as well as human sounds. They are such fascinating birds.👍👍👍👍👍
They are an invasive species
People make and sell starling traps on the internet, so if anyone would like to help the local bird population by dispatching them there’s that option
Daisy also makes an excellent product for this.
They do and some take that measure. Many do not have it in them to do that and this video was to help people work around them. They are here to stay.
@@MarksBackyardBirdsYes, unfortunately that’s true
Yes, a major pest 😖
I don't discriminate....