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Tube Feeders
Selecting A Tube-Style Bird Feeder
There are many different styles of tube (or cylindrical) bird feeders on the market. Having said that, the seed that you fill your bird feeder with is probably the most critical factor in determining which species of birds are likely to show up. You can’t go wrong with hulled sunflower chips. This is the hulled or shelled version of black oil sunflower and we sell more of this than any other single seed-about 20 tons per year.
A tube-style bird feeder is commonly made from polycarbonate (a very strong plastic) with several openings and perches (preferably made from metal) where the birds feed from. Tube style feeders are easy for smaller birds like chickadees and goldfinches to use and more difficult for larger birds such as jays to feed from.
Typically the better quality feeders feature tops, bottoms, seed portals, and perches made from zinc dye-cast metal. This material ensures a lifetime of use and protection from the sharp teeth of squirrels.
Critically important is ease of cleaning. Many of the new tube feeders available have quick clean bottoms that are easy to remove for cleaning of wet, moldy seed that typically builds up at the bottom of the feeder.
Nyjer (thistle) feeders, also called "finch feeders" are specialized tube feeders designed for nyjer seed. Feeding ports on finch feeders are quite small to accomodate tiny nyjer seeds. Nyjer appeals almost exclusively to goldfinches, house finches, and Pine Siskins. Make sure you put a dome cover over the feeder to keep the rain out since wet moldy seed can cause serious problems for your new backyard friends. Consider adding a tray to the bottom to catch some of the seed and to entice some of the ground feeding birds such as towhees and juncos.
Bird feeder brands that we carry:
Droll Yankee, Aspects, Chickadee Hut, Duncraft, Bird Quest, Backyard Nature Products, Arundale, Heritage Farms, Brome (Squirrel Buster)
To place your order, use our 100% secure on-line order form, or call at 778-216-9645 to place your order by phone or fax. We accept Visa and Mastercard, and ship throughout Canada.
Copyright 2006-2007 The Backyard Bird Centre. All Rights Reserved
The Backyard Bird Centre
249 Newport Drive
Port Moody, B.C., Canada
V3H 5C9
Toll Free: 1-888-846-BIRD (2473)
Tel: 778-216-9645
Fax: 778-216-9644
And now at:
3879 Oak Street
Vancouver, B.C., Canada
V6H 2M6
Tel: 604-738-BIRD (2473)
e: Randy@backyardbird.ca
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