Barrier Guard Specialty Bluebird Feeder - Copper Tint

Thank you for taking time to review, and for the wonderful video! We love to see our customer's birds happy with our products. Yes, it can take some time for the certain bluebirds to figure out and get used to this feeder. Usually 1-4 weeks, but everyone's birds are different. When people are starting out we typically suggest that they scatter some mealworms around the edges by the barrier guard and on the top of the feeder too. It can help the birds realize there are tasty treats inside.

We do sell the perch accessory for this feeder that gives the bluebirds a place to land and figure out how to get in through the barrier. It is also a nice thing to have for the young bluebirds. The parents will bring them to the feeders, and they will sit on the perches while the adults feed them and teach them how to go in and out of the feeder as well. You can check the perch out here: https://nature-niche.com/products/barrier-guard-feeder-perch-accessory?_pos=28&_sid=80d5bf009&_ss=r

Thank you for your feedback. Yes, we've found that it can take some people's bluebirds a month or more to figure this feeder out (usually within two weeks, but sometimes more). 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!

I've also had customers place mealworms on top of the feeder and/or along the sides on the floor to draw them in and get them exploring what is inside. You can also try setting the feeder out with the cover off to the side to train the birds that there are good things inside. Lastly, you mentioned other birds are not using the feeder. Usually the chickadees, tufted titmice, and wrens often figure this feeder out ahead of the bluebirds. I would survey the location of this feeder just to be sure something else isn't deterring the birds--no wind chimes, whirligigs, wind spinners, etc. that might be spooking them? Is it located near other feeders they are using and/or within easy distance of protective cover like trees and shrubs? Hope this helps!

Thanks for your feedback! We're finding that some peoples' bluebirds just take longer than others to figure this feeder out. A few days up to a month is what I've heard from my customers. You can try putting mealworms on top of the roof and along the edges of the floor to help them get started. The perch accessory will help, too. If you are losing pieces off of the perch unit, you may need to really tighten down the locking nuts underneath with pliers and retighten occasionally if they are tapping against something routinely. Here's a post I did on proper assembly for the perch accessory--hope this helps: https://youtu.be/tcVuQv9y0R8