If you’ve ever put out birdseed only to watch starlings, grackles, or blackbirds take over, you know how frustrating bully birds can be. These aggressive eaters often crowd out smaller songbirds, devour food quickly, and leave little behind for the feathered friends you’re hoping to attract. But don’t worry—there are ways to manage them while still keeping your backyard birds happy and well-fed!
Why Do Bully Birds Dominate Feeders?
Species like European Starlings and Common Grackles are highly adaptable and opportunistic. They’re not picky eaters, they travel in large flocks, and they’re incredibly persistent. Once they find a reliable food source, they can be hard to deter—unless you have the right strategy.
How to Keep Bully Birds at Bay
If starlings and other large, aggressive birds are taking over your feeders, try these simple tricks:
1. Offer Foods They Don’t Like
Bully birds tend to avoid:
✅ Safflower seed – A favorite of cardinals and chickadees, but less appealing to starlings and grackles.
✅ Nyjer seed – Goldfinches love it, but larger birds struggle with the small size.
✅ No Starling Blend – Specifically designed to attract songbirds while discouraging starlings and other problem birds. (More on that below!)
2. Use Feeder Designs That Favor Small Birds
🔹 Cage-style feeders – These keep out large birds while allowing smaller ones to access the food.
🔹 Upside-down suet feeders – Woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees can easily feed from below, but starlings struggle with the design.
🔹 Tube feeders with small perches – Larger birds find it difficult to balance, making it easier for finches, chickadees, and titmice to enjoy the seed.
3. Place Feeders Strategically
Bully birds prefer wide-open spaces where they can spot predators and land easily. Try placing feeders closer to dense shrubs or trees, where smaller birds feel safer but larger birds might hesitate to gather.
4. Try Our No Starling Blend—Crafted for Songbirds, Not Bullies
After hearing from many customers struggling with starlings and other aggressive birds taking over their feeders, we set out to create a solution. The result? No Starling Blend—a carefully crafted mix of premium oil sunflower seeds, striped sunflower, and safflower, perfectly proportioned to attract your favorite songbirds while discouraging starlings and grackles.
Why it works:
✅ Premium ingredients that chickadees, cardinals, and finches love—but starlings tend to ignore.
✅ Encourages a balanced backyard, welcoming a greater variety of birds.
✅ Reduces wasted seed and prevents bully birds from dominating your feeder.
With No Starling Blend, you can enjoy peaceful birdwatching, knowing your feeders are bringing in the right visitors—without the frustration of feeder takeovers!
Take Back Your Feeder!
If you’re tired of watching starlings and grackles push out your favorite birds, it’s time to make a change! Here’s how to order No Starling Blend:
1️⃣ Select a Starter HappySeed Box
2️⃣ Choose the Regular Blend
3️⃣ Leave us an order note at checkout requesting No Starling Blend
We’ll take care of the rest, ensuring you get the perfect mix to keep bully birds at bay and welcome more of the songbirds you love!
👉 Order Now and enjoy a better birdwatching experience! 🐦💛