Bird Feeders That Deter Blackbirds

Cage Feeders

• Cage feeders are standard bird feeders surrounded by cages of wire mesh or plastic-coated wire mesh. The open spaces are wide enough to let it in small, desirable birds, but are too narrow for blackbirds or animals like squirrels. One common cage feeder uses a tube feeder as its base component. A tube feeder is a hollow plastic cylinder that has multiple openings -- or feeding ports -- and corresponding perches the birds can rest on while they eat.

Weight-Sensitive Feeders

• Weight-sensitive feeders allow blackbirds to land on their perches but the weight triggers the feeding ports of the feeder to close. When the blackbird leaves the perch, the feed ports will open again. The ports will only open for lighter and often more desirable birds. Most weight-sensitive feeders utilize hopper or house-style bird feeders as their basic structures. These feeders consist of chambers complete with a floor, roof and walls.

Short-Perch Feeders

• A short-perch feeder can be a stylish and inexpensive method to deter blackbirds. A common short perch length is 5/8 of an inch, which is large enough for many types of small songbirds to land and balance on, but is too small for blackbirds, sparrows and other large birds.

Homemade Short-Perch Feeder

• As an alternative to buying a bird feeder with a short-perch, trim down the perch of an existing feeder with a hacksaw or motorized jig saw. Remove the feeder from its support structure and place the feeder on a sturdy, stable surface. Measure the perch 5/8 of an inch from the edge of the feeder outward. Saw off the tip of the perch at that point.

Homemade Cage Feeder

• Surround an existing feeder with chicken wire and attach it with a strong adhesive, like hot glue, or a staple gun. You will need to use enough wire to cover the feeder entirely so the blackbirds will not be able to squeeze through the gaps.