Starling Problem

[big bill]

Hi Folks,
. Can anybody come up with some advice or solution to the problem of the starlings hogging the feeders.
I have 2 feeding stations with 4 seed feeders also fat balls on both stations but smaller birds do not get a chance the starlings hog them all day and chase smaller birds away.
Any ideas greatly appreciated

[Mercadante]

You can get feeders that have a sort of external cage - to keep the squiirels away, really, but it excludes larger birds, too.

Don't underappreciate your starlings, though - I wish we had some.

[Dan Salter]

You can buy caged seed/ball/nut feeders...basically they look like a regular feeder but encased in a larger metal cage to deter squirrels, but the smaller mesh does not allow starlings to fit through.

But bare in mind starlings need feeding too so maybe leave a feeder as normal for them?

[willing to learn]

Try a plastic decoy peregrine near by, above the feeders Starlings will be wary. Small birdss won't see as much of a threat.
Regards
Colin

[big bill]

I dont mind feeding the Starlings at all its just they take every feeder and will not allow other birds in I sippose they will just have to fight for it

[Dan Salter]

or you could take some of the advice just offered? then they wont have to fight for it

[Stewy]

I'm having this trouble with Jackdaws and starlings, they hog the fatballs and scoff them all in 2 seconds flat.

[shei111]

Hello big bill Yes we get are fair share of starlings too. I buy cheap brand porridge oats sprinkle on the grass under the feeding station you will find they will soon go down to get the oats, Then do not put so many fat balls up, with the porridge it falls between the grass and I find the birds peck away for ages and theres still plenty oats there. Give it a try. Its cheap too, just make sure you have plenty of clean drinking water which you most probaly do.

[big bill]

Thanks guys for the tips will certainly try them out and see what happens

[Adam Cheeseman]

Starlings are late risers compared to other garden species.

Cheers,

Adam