Barrier Guard Specialty Bluebird Feeder - Blue

We bought this feeder in February of 2025. Our goal was to provide nourishment for our resident bluebird population despite a seasonal influx of greedy starlings. At the same time, based on telephone consultation with the very helpful staff of Nature Niche, we also purchased the perch-rod kit and the aluminum bowl that complement the feeder.

The perch rods helped the bluebirds become familiar with and adept in using the feeder. The aluminum bowl, being larger than the standard blue glass bowl that comes with the feeder, is also a useful accessory. It allows for longer intervals before the bowl needs to be refilled.

We recommend getting both of these accessories (perch-rod kit and aluminum bowl) at the same time as the feeder itself. The three items are available as a bundle... the "Ultimate Bluebird Barrier Guard Feeder Bundle."

We are giving the feeder a five-star review because it is very effective in preventing greedy starlings from eating all of the mealworms before the poor bluebirds can have any, as well as visually attractive. Made in the USA and sturdy and durable metal construction are also pluses.

That said, we can think of two improvements.

The first suggestion is to add some sort of collar that would fit between the outer wall of the bowl and the floor of the feeder. This would keep mealworms and mealworm fragments from getting under the bowl, where it seems that the bluebirds either cannot see them, or are skittish to put their beaks to grab some food. Perhaps a cylinder or appropriate diameter, open both at the top and at the bottom, that could slip in place without needing any mounting hardware. Metal or plexiglas construction.

The second suggestion is: either to either replace the round-head screws that are supplied with the perch rods with another type of screw... a screw with a lower head profile... perhaps pan-head, or cheese head, or flat head, or oval head, or truss head...; or to use a longer screw and washers or a spacer... to provide clearance between the tops of the screw heads and the underside of the bottom plate of the feeder.

The heads of the screws supplied with the feeder can scratch the paint on the underside of the bottom plate if the perch-rod assembly is installed and rotates due to handling (e.g., when removing the feeder from its hanger to refill it or to clean it) or the force generated by birds when they launch themselves off the perch rods and into the air. Perhaps the Barrier Guard Cylinder Feeder Perch Attachment Kit could be used to provide the greater clearance that we would like to see. Currently, we are using a longer 1/4 x 20 screw and some stacked stainless-steel washers for this purpose.

Our record is as many as eight bluebirds visiting the feeder at one time... a few inside the barrier, and the rest on the perch rods. (The ones that go inside must be a family because they are comfortable being with each other in close quarters.) We deliberately sprinkle some dried mealworms on the floor of the feeder so that birds perching on the rods can reach something to eat without having to pass through the barrier. Some bluebirds seem skittish about doing that, but most apparently have no such misgivings. However, if one sprinkles mealworms onto the floor of the feeder, but near the barrier, starlings can get to them.

The bottom line is that if you want to feed bluebirds and not feed starlings or other larger birds, here is a solution. Starlings and other larger birds may still be able to stick their heads part-way into the gaps in the wire barrier, but the bulk of the mealworms will remain beyond their reach.

After just a week or two, the wrens found this feeder and have been hopping in and out for the mealworms inside. The starlings attempts to enter have been unsuccessful despite their persistence trying every angle. The feeder is well made, was easy to assemble and is easy to refill / clean. I am hopeful to see bluebirds soon too!

The perches were easy to attach to the feeder, and the feeder’s construction has kept the Starlings from the mealworms. I’m waiting for the smaller birds to enter the bluebird feeder, and partake of the mealworms.

I am very happy with my purchase of the Barrier guard bluebird feeder. Within 15 minutes of putting it up, my bluebirds were using it. I also watched as Starlings tried to get in without success.

This is my second purchase of this feeder. Like it however, made modification to the feeder bowl substituted with a bowl twice its size. This holds twice as much meal worms as I'm feeding 8 bluebirds. Starlings not able to reach it. Love your feeder.