Tory Porter

Are birds and squirrels eating way too much of your birdseed? Have you almost given up on feeding birds because you can't afford it?

If birds are gobbling up your spare cash, try one or more of these tips to save some money:

1. Use Small-Bird, Squirrel-Proof Feeders

By restricting what critters can get to your birdseed, you'll cut down on how fast the seed is consumed.

You can deter squirrels by using a caged feeder, by placing your feeders carefully, by using protective devices like a baffle, or buying another of the squirrel-deterring feeders like this one.

Caged feeders and weighted roller feeders also deter large birds like grackles and starlings.

Upside-down feeders, like this suet feeder, restrict access to only birds that like to perch upside-down.

2. Use "Specialty" Birdseed or Nuts

To decrease the volume of birds at your feeder, try hard-to-crack food like striped sunflower seed or whole peanuts. You can also try feed not favored by a wide variety of birds, like the finch-attracting thistle (a.k.a. nyjer) seed.

Combine this tip with a caged feeder, and you have a double-whammy in cutting down seed consumption.

3. Mealtime Feeders

If huge flocks are visiting over and over in the course of a day, hang out your feeders for a set time once or twice a day instead of all day.

4. Use "Specialty" Feeders

Using feeders where the bird or squirrel has to work a little harder at getting out seed also limits how much seed is gobbled up.

Thistle (a.k.a. nyger or nyjer) feeders have narrow slits designed for finch beaks. Other birds will have a difficult time accessing the thistle (although most birds prefer other foods).

For larger birds, you can also try a whole-peanut feeder designed so the bird has to work to pull out the whole peanut.

For squirrels, you can try a corn-cob feeder that requires more attention from the the squirrel.

5. Buy in Bulk, Buy on Sale

As with most other goods, if you buy birdseed in bulk, you can save quite a bit. My favorite bulk birdseed supplier is eBirdseed.com.

If you can purchase seed or nuts on sale, you're saving. Combine the two tips, and you're ahead of the game.