How to make a crow-proof bird feeder
Find out how to make a bird feeder that should keep crows, jackdaws, magpies, pigeons and other large birds at bay.
Larger birds, such as crows and pigeons, can crowd out smaller species from a bird feeder and can devour the food in them rapidly.
Discover how to clean bird feeders.
A simple way to stop them is to fix two hanging baskets together around the bird feeder, using cable ties. The small birds can still squeeze through the gaps to get to the food, while the larger birds can clear up any spilled seeds on the ground.
Here's how to make a bird feeder that will keep larger birds off.
You Will Need
- Two hanging baskets
- Hanging bird feeder
- Cable ties
- Bird seed
Step 1
Start to fix the hanging baskets together to make a cage, using the cable ties. Fix the ties tightly, making sure the sides of the basket are flush.
Step 2
Fill the feeder with seed and pop it in between the two baskets., feeding the handle through the top. Secure the baskets with ties so they can't be prised apart.
Step 3
Hang the feed and its cage from your usual bird feeding station or a sturdy branch on a tree in the garden, then wait for the birds to discover it.
Christmas offer
Gift a subscription to BBC Gardeners' World magazine and save 51% on the shop price.
Year Planner 2025 on sale
Starting to plan your gardening year? The Year Planner 2025 is packed with expert advice from the Gardeners’ World team, to ensure you have your best gardening year yet.
Plant of the Week: Mix & match dahlias
This week, choose from 40 beautiful dahlia varieties in various shapes and colours, including dwarf and giant sizes, with prices starting from just £4 each.
Offer ends 23.59, Sunday 8 December.
New podcast series
Join Monty and the team for advice on winter gardening, tulips, caring for birds, house plants and more in the new BBC Gardeners' World Magazine podcast series.