Squirrels aren't visitors to my garden - they're residents. Ever since we moved in and I put up my bird feeders, we've been at loggerheads. I've gradually replaced my "squirrel resistant" feeders with tougher models, marketed as "squirrel busters." Have I been successful in eliminating bird seed theft? You can be the judge.
![]() |
| A squirrel tackles the original "squirrel buster" feeder without success |
![]() |
| He shifts position and tries another angle, also without success |
![]() |
| These close ups of the same type of feeder show it in the open mode (left) and the closed mode (right). The squirrel's own weight, whether applied to the perches or the cage surrounding the feeder, covers the feeding portal |
![]() |
| He moves over to the next feeder, sold as a "Squirrel Buster Plus," nimbly clinging to the feeder pole using his back legs but his paws on the feeder ring close the seed portals |
![]() |
| These close-up show the open feed portals (left) and what happens when pressure is applied to the support ring (right) |
![]() |
| He moves to the oldest model feeder, covered by a simple cage |
![]() |
| Unlike the cage my husband constructed for one of my earlier feeders, he's been unable to break into this one by chewing through or bending the supports |
![]() |
| In a creative play, he tries using the third feeder to access the second but pressing the ring surrounding the feed portals once again shuts off his access to the seed |
![]() |
| Frustrated, he takes a break sitting on top of the third feeder. At this point, I assumed he'd given up. |
![]() |
| But then he tries a gymnastic move, clinging to the top of the third feeder by his feet and stretching across to the second feeder. I initially thought this strategy was also unsuccessful until I reviewed my photos and realized that he'd avoided pressing his paws on the feed portal ring. You can see that the portals aren't closed. He's busted the feeder's defenses! |
It wasn't the fault of the feeder, though. It was my fault in providing him a platform to access it. However, I don't think it was easy for him to feed from that angle as he quickly gave up the effort. I'll probably replace the old, caged feeder eventually anyway but, for now, I'm satisfied that he's not stealing much from the birds. He mainly makes do with what the birds drop on the ground, which is plenty.
The side garden, which also has 3 feeders, has one that's vulnerable to intrusions too. I refilled them yesterday and, as I was doing so this fellow showed up.
![]() |
| This is a Western Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica), a pretty bird but a bully of sorts. When he arrives, the smaller birds scatter until he moves on. He isn't much afraid of humans either. |
He wasn't at all interested in the dried-up toyon (
Heteromeles arbutifolia) berries scattered about. He wanted bird seed and he wasn't at all afraid to take it with me standing a couple of feet away. He can't feed from the newer feeders but he has no problem with an old model. It may be squirrel resistant but it's not Scrub Jay-proof.
![]() |
| The squirrel's weight on the bar the jay is standing on would shut off access to the seed but the jay is light enough to avoid this. On occasion, the squirrels manage to lift the lid from the back and dump the seed on the ground. I haven't seen them do this but I have found the seed covering the ground underneath the feeder. Having seen their work on the back garden feeders, I now suspect that they may be using the nearby feeders as perches. |
Squirrels! They keep us hopping!
Note: I have no relationship with the companies that make or market the squirrel buster feeders.
All material © 2012-2017 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
