Barrier Guard Specialty Bluebird Feeder - Blue

Thank you for your feedback. It looks like you have had your feeder for just under one week. I've found that it can take at least two weeks or more for the bluebirds to figure this feeder out. But once they do, it's a great way to keep them fed and the large, unwanted birds like European starlings at bay. I'm hoping with a little more time, your resident bluebirds will figure it out! I personally use this feeder at home with much success. You can see the feeder in action in this recent environmental education post: https://youtu.be/w9PUJuHcfUg and an older version of this feeder with a view from the inside from the manufacturer: https://youtu.be/NpG25gtUATY With a little more time, your bluebirds should be happy and protected from the bully birds!

You might also consider adding the perch accessory:
https://nature-niche.com/products/barrier-guard-feeder-perch-accessory
I've found that the bluebirds can figure out how to get into the feeder but they are not always very graceful about it. The perches give them a place to land and think about how they want to enter. The grid is 1.5'x1.5', which is the standard size entry hole for bluebird nest boxes. Any bigger, and the starlings could get in, unfortunately. You can also try placing a twig or two across the floor and out two sides to encourage the birds to perch and check out the feeder. I've also had customers place mealworms on top of the feeder and on the floor along the outer edge to draw them in and get them exploring what is inside. Hope this helps!

Thank you for your review! I can see from your order that you have had your feeder about 10 days. We have found that it can take at least two weeks or more for the bluebirds to figure this feeder out (the chickadees and tufted titmice seem to catch on much faster). But once they do, it's a great way to keep them fed and the large, unwanted birds like European starlings at bay. The barrier grid is 1.5' x 1.5', which is the standard size entry hole for bluebird nest boxes. Any bigger, and the starlings could get in, unfortunately. I'm hoping with a little more time, your resident bluebirds will figure it out! The owner of Nature Niche personally use this feeder at home with much success. You can see the feeder in action in this environmental education post: https://youtu.be/w9PUJuHcfUg and an older version of this feeder with a view from the inside from the manufacturer: https://youtu.be/NpG25gtUATY With a little more time, your bluebirds should be happy and protected from the bully birds!

We do also offer a perch accessory for this feeder: https://nature-niche.com/products/barrier-guard-feeder-perch-accessory?_pos=1&_sid=92e39d078&_ss=r We do find that the bluebirds can figure out how to get into the feeder without the perch, but they are not always very graceful about it. The perches give them a place to land and think about how they want to enter. It's also great for bluebird fledglings, as shown in this post: https://youtu.be/3mBJIZXGEn8
I've had a few customers observe that some of their chubbiest male bluebirds seem to struggle to enter. We sell a lot of these barrier guard feeders, so I would say this is a pretty rare occurrence. One of my customers took some pliers and widened a few of the bottom-most squares by hand. There's a risk that a starling could then get in, but hopefully doing a few on the lowest row of squares will be too hard for them but help the chubby male bluebirds. If you decide to do this, please keep me posted if it helps or not...