Starlings are a common backyard bird that can become a nuisance at bird feeders. Their large flocks and aggressive behavior often intimidate smaller songbirds, preventing them from feeding. Many bird enthusiasts want to attract songbirds like chickadees, finches, and cardinals without attracting starlings. Using a blue bird feeder that starlings cannot perch on is an effective way to deter them.
Blue is a color that starlings avoid because they associate it with danger. Blue feeders designed for songbirds like finches and chickadees, with small perches or screened covers, can help limit starling access. With the right blue bird feeder, you can enjoy feeding songbirds without the mess and bullying behavior of starlings taking over your yard.
What Makes Starlings Such a Nuisance?
Starlings are an invasive pest bird species in North America, introduced from Europe in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They spread rapidly across the continent and cause major issues. Here are some of the reasons starlings are considered pests:
– Aggressive behavior – Starlings are very bold and aggressive at bird feeders. They bully smaller birds, scaring them away from food sources.
– Large flocking – Starlings form massive flocks numbering into the hundreds or thousands of birds. These noisy, swarming flocks take over feeders and deposit massive amounts of droppings.
– Messy – Starlings peck apart feeders and toss seed onto the ground, making a mess. Their droppings also cover decks and patio areas around feeders.
– Diseases – Starlings can transmit bacterial and viral diseases to other yard birds sharing feeders, as well as mess, spoilage, and contamination of backyard water sources.
– Nuisance roosting – Large flocks will roost on building rooftops, trees, or other structures, causing noise issues and deposits of droppings.
– Crop damage – Starlings damage crops by eating ripe fruits, newly planted seeds, and sprouting plants. Their sheer numbers allow them to destroy gardens and farms.
So in summary, starlings are considered pests for their aggressive habits, large swarming flocks, diseases, messy habits around feeders, and destructive crop damage. Excluding them from feeders helps protect other backyard birds.
What Makes Blue Bird Feeders Unattractive to Starlings?
Starlings have very poor color vision compared to other bird species. They see very well in black and white or shades of grey, but have trouble distinguishing red and green hues. Blue is one color starlings have a hard time seeing well. Bird watchers and ornithologists have noticed starlings tend to avoid feeding areas with the color blue. Here are some reasons blue deters starlings:
– Cannot see blue well – A starling’s receptors and color vision brain processing cannot detect shades of blue very accurately. Blue objects do not stand out against natural backgrounds to their vision.
– Associates blue with danger – In nature, blue often indicates poisonous or toxic prey animals. Many toxic amphibians, reptiles, insects, and marine creatures have blue markings. Starlings likely associate blue with danger.
– Avoids blue feeders – Field studies show starlings avoid landing on blue feeding trays or perches. The color makes them uneasy.
– Feeds less around blue – Even if starlings occasionally land on blue feeders, research shows they feed far less comfortably and aggressively at blue stations.
– Less territorial around blue – Male starlings are less likely to guard and claim blue feeding areas. They don’t recognize the color for marking territory.
So despite having great vision for spotting food sources, starlings do not see blue well. The color makes them nervous and less aggressive. By using blue feeders or decorations, you can make your yard less attractive to starlings while feeding desirable songbirds.
What Type of Blue Bird Feeder is Best?
When choosing a blue bird feeder to exclude starlings, there are a few design features that are most effective. The feeder should limit the large starling’s access to perches and food, while allowing smaller birds to easily use the feeder. Here are the best blue bird feeder features:
– Powder coated blue finish – A powder coated blue exterior prevents corrosion while repelling starlings. Gloss finishes are less effective.
– Small perches – Narrow perches sized for songbirds prevent starlings from getting a foothold. Squirrel baffles also deter starlings.
– Weight sensitive perch doors – Doors automatically close access to heavier starlings while staying open for lighter songbirds.
– Caged/screened design – A wire mesh screen around feeder openings keeps out starlings while smaller birds reach through easily.
– Feeding ports for pecking – Smaller ports sized for chickadees and finches prevent starling access but allow smaller birds to peck from openings.
– Dome style roofs – Roofs limit the starling’s ability to perch overhanging the feeder openings.
– Small hopper capacity – Avoid giant silo-style feeders. Smaller 1-2 lb capacity makes cleaning easier and discourages starlings.
The most effective blue bird feeders combine several bird-excluding features for best results. Avoid large open tray feeders or simple blue suet feeders that starlings can still easily access. Combining blue color, screened designs, size exclusion methods, and no perching areas maximizes starling deterrence.
5 Top Rated Blue Bird Feeders that Keep Starlings Out
Based on field testing and customer reviews, here are 5 top rated blue bird feeders that effectively limit starling access while feeding desirable backyard songbirds:
1. Squirrel Buster Classic Wild Bird Feeder
– Weight adjusting screened design excludes starlings and squirrels
– Chew-proof heavy duty construction
– Roomy feeding ports for chickadees and finches
– Easy one-handed cleaning and seed refilling
2. Perky-Pet 312 Panorama Bird Feeder
– Panoramic clear windows let you see all the birds up close
– Rounded cover excludes starlings from perching
– Easy to fill and clean
– Compact design great for small yards
3. Woodlink Going Green Platform Bird Feeder
– Mesh screened platform with rain roof keeps seeds dry
– 6 built-in feeding ports sized for small birds
– Easy mounting on deck railings or posts
– Rusted vintage farm look made of durable steel
4. Kettle Moraine Poly Hanger Bluejay Feeder
– Powder coated steel hanger with drainage holes
– Removable polycarbonate tube is easy to clean
– Adjustable counterbalanced perch ring
– Drain holes in perch ring prevent wet seed buildup
5. Songbird Essentials Songbird Window Bird Feeder
– Strong suction cups adhere to windows for closeup viewing
– Slanted mesh design excludes larger birds
– Magnet base is easy to remove and clean
– Drain holes prevent water from pooling in feeder base
All of these blue bird feeders are designed specifically to exclude starlings and larger pest birds while welcoming smaller desirable songbirds. The blue color, restricted perching, and screened or weighted port entries prevent access. Customers consistently rate them highly for deterring starlings and feeding chickadees, finches, nuthatches, titmice, cardinals, and more. Made of chew-proof, durable materials, they are built to last many seasons.
Tips for Using Blue Bird Feeders Effectively
To get the most success from your blue bird feeder at deterring starlings, follow these tips:
– Mount in open area – Don’t hide feeder in bushes. Starlings avoid open areas while feeding and are more likely to visit a hidden feeder.
– Combine with other methods – Use decoys, shiny objects, water sprayers to further discourage starlings along with blue feeders. Avoid tall trees or wires where they may perch and swoop down onto feeders.
– Clean often – Keep the feeder clean and free of old seeds and debris. Starlings are more attracted to dirty feeders.
– Offer suet feeders – Blue suet feeders are not as effective. Use other exclusion methods like suet cages to limit access.
– Remove nightly – Take in your blue feeder at night when starlings are most active.
– Use quality bird food – Fill with desirable blends like safflower, nyjer, or fruit that starlings don’t prefer as much as cheap mixed seed.
– Be patient – It can take weeks to retrain starlings away from your yard to new feeding locations.
With persistence using these tips, the blue bird feeder method can successfully keep away starlings while attracting lively flocks of your favorite small birds. Observe the feeder for a week and make adjustments to exclude starlings completely.
Alternative Methods to Deter Starlings Besides Blue Feeders
While blue feeders are a safe, effective solution, you can combine other deterrents with them for best results. Some other techniques to discourage starlings include:
– Plastic owl decoys – Starlings will avoid feeders with lifelike plastic owls nearby.
– Fake hawk kites – Kites resembling hawks or falcons spook starlings away.
– Foil strips or old CDs – Reflective surfaces shine and flap in the wind to frighten starlings.
– Squirrel baffles – Prevent access below and above the feeder so starlings cannot perch.
– Netting – Plastic or nylon netting over feeders blocks access, let other birds reach the seed.
– Spice rubs or capsaicin – Coat dry seed with hot spices to irritate starlings. Avoid getting on soft bird skin.
– Feeding times – Only put feeders out for short 2-3 hour periods when starlings are less active.
– Suet cages – Caged mesh feeders allow small birds in but keep starlings out of suet blocks.
– Water sprayers – Motion activated sprinklers briefly spray starlings when triggered.
– Bird feeding tables – Use a table or platform feeder with slanted mesh screen that excludes starlings.
Using two or more methods together with the blue feeder will reinforce starling avoidance. Consistency is key! Over time, starlings will decrease attempts to access protected feeders.
Conclusion
Starlings are a challenging backyard bird that outcompetes most other songbird species. By switching to a specialty blue bird feeder designed to exclude starlings, while welcoming desirable smaller birds, you can finally enjoy observing a diversity of species visiting your yard. Seek out feeders with small perches, restricted openings, screens, domes, and small feeding portals specifically sized for songbirds. Combine with habitat modifications, scare devices, schedules, and food choices unappetizing to starlings. Be patient and consistent, as it may take weeks to fully retrain pesky starling flocks to look elsewhere for their food. With the right blue bird feeder, you’ll soon enjoy a busy feeder full of lively chickadees, finches, nuthatches, jays, doves, and cardinals, naturally avoiding starlings.