does the electric shock hurt or bother the birds who are using the feeder?
1421279
I spend a lot of time bird watching on the two Wild Bill feeders I have. Never have I seen a bird get shocked, just the squirrels.
1421280
My birds do not use this feeder. Once in a while there is a small bird but most birds avoid it. I purchased this feeder to deter squirrels and to provide a large feeder for doves (shown in the picture). Turns out the tray is too small for ground feeding birds (ie. doves) and so I regret buying this feeder. Perhaps most birds avoid it because it shocks them. I have another feeder close by that is busy.
802854
If it is hug correctly they are too heavy, they still eat what the other birds throw on the ground. If you have a number of wrens and sparrows they empty the feeders pretty quick. It still is funny to watch the squirrels try with out success.
873504
that is a good question, you might feel a small shock but most of the power from the stun gun will go to them, I have been shocked by my own and they def do hurt lol
1128480
No problem... It has a plastic insert-it might get slightly wet, but the birds don't seem to mind. I live in PA if that helps & I've had this feeder for several seasons & it's the best I've owned.
271807
I would make sure that the food is fresh. When I fill the feeder a small amount of food falls through. The only way I know the birds are feeding, is the decrease of the food in the feeder.
391526
This has not appeared to have been any problem with the feeder that I got. The feeder is emptied completely by the birds, so there is no bad seed remaining on the bottom. I am certain some wet does get in though, as it would on the open bottom areas. The seed flows freely, that is a plus.
1461722
No! It's quite entertaining to watch the repeated attempts on the part of the "rats with furry tails" to access the seed to no avail. The only drawback is the frustrated squirrel will often urinate on the feeder. This in no way affects the birds returning to the feeder. I should note that the feeder has an adjustable spring for the closure device that can be set such that bigger birds cannot get into the feeder.
757638
I don't think so. This has happened to me a couple of times and the bird bath seems no worse for it.
992569
Never saw one try it. Squirrels could be but that long wire is a problem for them. Starlings, however, like the black birds seem to make a way.
69799
It takes "C" type flashlight batteries and produces a high voltage, low amperage static shock, so if it touches you the it is fairly painful but not harmful. It's perfectly safe, even if the animals don't like it.
1487793
See Bob's answer below. Also, FWIW, I have a problem w/ raccoons coming to eat the seeds the birds drop on the ground, so I rigged a light-weight, plastic (plant) tray to hang underneath the feeder (from the Cardinal ring) to catch the seeds. Being able to adjust the sensitivity of the 'closing' option of the feeder allowed me to tighten the spring so that the weight of the tray wouldn't close the feeder's holes. Also, I thought I was going to have to clean the tray of all the dropped seeds, but other birds sit on the edge of the tray and eat the seeds for me. I punched numerous small drain holes in the tray so rain water would flow through. It's a great product. See Bob's answer below. Also, FWIW, I have a problem w/ raccoons coming to eat the seeds the birds drop on the ground, so I rigged a light-weight, plastic (plant) tray to hang underneath the feeder (from the Cardinal ring) to catch the seeds. Being able to adjust the sensitivity of the 'closing' option of the feeder allowed me to tighten the spring so that the weight of the tray wouldn't close the feeder's holes. Also, I thought I was going to have to clean the tray of all the dropped seeds, but other birds sit on the edge of the tray and eat the seeds for me. I punched numerous small drain... » Read More See Bob's answer below. Also, FWIW, I have a problem w/ raccoons coming to eat the seeds the birds drop on the ground, so I rigged a light-weight, plastic (plant) tray to hang underneath the feeder (from the Cardinal ring) to catch the seeds. Being able to adjust the sensitivity of the 'closing' option of the feeder allowed me to tighten the spring so that the weight of the tray wouldn't close the feeder's holes. Also, I thought I was going to have to clean the tray of all the dropped seeds, but other birds sit on the edge of the tray and eat the seeds for me. I punched numerous small drain holes in the tray so rain water would flow through. It's a great product. « Show Less
757639
No. The heating element isn't super hot. It is just warm, and leaving it empty won't ruin the birdbath; however, the birds much prefer if you keep refilling the birdbath, as they love it. We see downy woodpeckers and nuthatches among all the others that stop by for a drink and a bath. The last visitors of the day are always the cardinals.
65984
Hi, Although I have thought about plugging mine into an extension cord an d leaving it on I have not tried it yet. If I leave it charge for 24 hours mine usually lasts almost a week. The feeder went down in price since December so I bought another one so I always have one handy for those pesky squirrels I am trying to catch a possum on it at night. Sorry I could not be of more help. I am so disapointed to hear all the negative reviews. I love my feeder, the squirrels get right off using the remote from inside my house (about 40-50 feet away. The birds (all kinds of birds fight over the feeders! I am so pleased with this product!! Jo Ventura
216906
I have had two problems with this feeder - and I only feed black oil sunflower seeds so I attributed the problem(s) mostly to that. One is that the wire which controls how much upward pressure is on the landing keeps slipping out of the groove; I bent it so it pretty much stays where I put it (now). The other problem was that no birds went to it. I discovered that the openings they allow for the seed to progress to bird access were too small. I inserted a flat blade screwdriver into each spot and forced (bent) the opening larger on all access points. Really easy fix and it worked! ... or the combination of them both did. The birds now are consistently active at the feeder. I have had two problems with this feeder - and I only feed black oil sunflower seeds so I attributed the problem(s) mostly to that. One is that the wire which controls how much upward pressure is on the landing keeps slipping out of the groove; I bent it so it pretty much stays where I put it (now). The other problem was that no birds went to it. I discovered that the openings they allow for the seed to progress to bird access were too small. I inserted a flat blade screwdriver into each spot and forced (bent) the opening larger on all access points. Really easy fix and it worked! ... or... » Read More I have had two problems with this feeder - and I only feed black oil sunflower seeds so I attributed the problem(s) mostly to that. One is that the wire which controls how much upward pressure is on the landing keeps slipping out of the groove; I bent it so it pretty much stays where I put it (now). The other problem was that no birds went to it. I discovered that the openings they allow for the seed to progress to bird access were too small. I inserted a flat blade screwdriver into each spot and forced (bent) the opening larger on all access points. Really easy fix and it worked! ... or the combination of them both did. The birds now are consistently active at the feeder. « Show Less
1238094
It doesn't seem to bother the birds. It annoys the squirrel pretty well, but I haven't noticed any fewer birds around.
2118093
I have only noticed birds on the mesh part of feeder and roof helps but not totally. Birds seem to love it!
2191195
NOT with this bird feeder. My birds LOVE it!! It's the first one emptied!! It may take awhile for them to eat out of a new feeder. I put up a feeder last year, that took the birds 3 months to *find* it!! No kidding!! Once they start eating seed out of this, you'll be out there all the time filling it up ;)