If you don't have the option of pole mounting a bird feeder and using physical baffles to keep them from climbing, there are plenty of specialty designs out there to stop them. My favorite is the weight activated bird feeder. These come with spring loaded perches which will cause a shield to drop down over seed ports when the heavier wight of a squirrel lands on them. Usually the squirrels figure out pretty quickly that there is no food to be had here so they stop climbing on the feeders themselves. When smaller songbirds land on the perches, the shield stays up allowing the birds to eat in peace. The weight can usually be adjusted to keep out larger birds such as grackles or starlings if you wish.There are a few features to look at in the wight activated bird feeder.
Capacity - how much seed does a feeder hold? If you have a smaller space such as a deck, patio or balcony the tube styles and small capacity feeders are frequently the perfect size. If it is to go in a yard or spot that makes refilling a bit harder, particularly in bad weather, rain or freezing weather, opt for a larger capacity size which holds more seed. This will keep the number of needed refills down.
Is the weight adjustable? The option to be able to adjust the weight which is needed to shut the shields over the seed ports is a handy one. You can adjust the settings to keep out larger birds such as jays, crows, grackles or starlings.
The final feature to be considered is how a bird feeder is to me mounted. Be sure to note if a feeder can go on a pole if this is what you intend to do along with the size of pole needed. Many are also designed to be hung. Hanging feeders are great for hanging in trees or on a porch. With the many styles out there to stop squirrels from eating all of the birds seed, you can find one that suits your needs.
