Feeder Pests and Predators

Dealing with Unwelcome Dinner Guests

If you regularly feed wild birds in your backyard, at some point you're likely to encounter unwelcome guests. Some of them may be undesirable birds. Whether they're aggressive grackles, greedy pigeons, or invasive, introduced species such as European Starlings or House Sparrows that crowd out the natives, they're the type you'd rather not to ask for dinner at your feeders. Others may be predatory birds that actually threaten your feeder visitors with bodily harm. Then there are various mammals that may cause problems, most commonly squirrels and house cats. Finally, there are insects, such as ants, bees, and wasps, that stir up trouble at hummingbird feeders.