The chirping screech owl was hard to spot, but it did appear on a bird song app

Q: Any suggestions on how to keep unwanted birds away from my feeders? I’m thinking starlings, starlings, and red-winged thrushes, they eat a lot of suet and peanuts.

AND: My feeders were flooded by the same species this summer, and they really did put a strain on the food supply. If you have a saucer-shaped feeder with a domed roof, you can set the dome low enough to prevent these thrushes from getting in. This has worked for me on safflower and sunflower feeders. The finch feeders are safe from these large-beaked birds, so I decided to let them feast on peanuts and suet. Other than taking down the feeders they visit, I can think of no other solution.

Q: I was doing some research online and found some posts saying not to feed birds in the summer. What do you think?

AND: I like to feed birds all year round, in both hot and cold weather. Yes, there is more natural food in the summer, but the birds save time and energy to eat at feeders, without having to search for berries or insects. They can spend the time and energy saved raising their young.

Summer heat requires extra care, which is why some people advocate against keeping bird feeders up. Suet melts in the heat, so only feed it in its melted form, in the form of tallow cakes, so that the birds’ feathers are not damaged by the melting fat. And when rain gets into the feeders, fungus can develop, so it is important to check the seeds after each downpour, throwing out any clumps. Seeds can also go rancid more quickly in the heat, so if the birds are avoiding the feeder, it is time to replace the seeds. If done right, bird feeders bring joy to birdwatchers and birds all year round.

Q: A cardinal comes to my feeder and has no feathers on his head, he is completely bald. Will he die and can other birds get the disease that caused it?