Bases of gazeebo bird feeders

[Stephen Tashiro]

There is a type of bird feeder that looks like a small gazeebo. The base of this type of feeder has a raised lip where the birds perch. On the feeders I see on the web, the cross section of this lip looks more or less rectangular. However, don't birds would perch more comfortably on something that has a circular cross section? Is the idea to deter the birds from perching for a long time at the feeder?

[Myk Rian]

I made a couple feeders out of 3/8" phenolic. Squared edges, and the birds don't mind it one bit.

[Lee Schierer]

Birds that are hungry aren't particular about what they are perching on. Manufactured feeders go for ease of production and low cost. I'm sure more consideration is given to prospective customer appeal than bird preferences for the type of perch. Here's a gazebo feeder I made for our birds and it is quite popular all winter long as long as there is food in it. 259422 Even the bow didn't deter them the first Christmas it was out there.

[Sam Murdoch]

I don't have all the specifics in my head but I know that different birds prefer different perches. For example - you will rarely see Cardinals on tube feeders with straight perpendicular perches or the 1/2 round hoops if they have the alternative of eating off a platform or off the ground - same with mourning doves. I think Lee is right that some manufacturers are more concerned with production methods than happy birds but I don't think anyone sets out a style f perch to discourage a comfortable sit. Here is an excellent source for bird feeder info http://http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/InstruxandUpdates/Handbook.pdf