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In this report
Bird Feeders: Ratings of Sources
Total of 17 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Bird Watchers Digest.com
Not Dated
Squirrel Proof?
by Mary Dykstra
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This excellent report summarizes the results of field tests conducted by five Bird Watcher's Digest readers of 13 different "squirrel-proof" feeders including, among others, the Yankee Flipper, the Squirrel… Buster II, the Bouncer, the Absolute (mounted on a pole) and the Sky Café. The testers, from different locales, each report their experience with up to four of the bird feeders, after placing them in their yards according to the manufacturer's directions. Due to variables involved (yards, plantings, weather and squirrel trouble), the article refrains from direct comparisons or ratings, but concludes, "There really are 'squirrel-proof' feeders on the market that live up to their billing." Most of the feeders (including all mentioned above) effectively denied squirrels access to food.

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2. Bird-Feeder-And-Bird-House-Guide.com
2007
The Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
by Robert Kegebein
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This helpful guide analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of many brands and styles of bird feeders, including the nine squirrel-proof models the author has "found to be the most effective": the Absolute by… Heritage Farms, the Roller by Aspects, the Flipper, the Tipper, the Whipper and the Dipper by Droll Yankee, the Bouncer by Vari-Crafts and the Squirrel Buster Classic and Squirrel Buster Plus by Brome.

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3. Outwitting Squirrels
Sept. 1996
Rating the Feeders
by Bill Adler, Jr.
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This insightful and entertaining book about squirrels and how to defeat them rates 19 commercial feeders on a scale of one to five for squirrel-proofness, ease of refilling, visibility of birds, seed… capacity, attractiveness and versatility of location. Written before the latest advances in squirrel-proof bird feeding, it does not include Droll Yankees' or Brome's squirrel-proof tube feeders or other recently invented feeders. But most of the feeders reviewed are still on the market, including the popular Mandarin, which gets Adler's highest overall score.

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4. The Best Bird Feeders: A Buyer's Guide
Aug. 2008
Best Feeders
by Nancy Dowling, aka: The Curious Wren
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

While praising all squirrel-poof tube feeders made by Droll Yankee, Nancy Dowling names the Whipper as her top pick, followed by the Tipper and the Dipper. She also reviews other types of squirrel-proof… feeders (e.g. finch, suet, platform) and offers general tips (e.g. "Look for a feeder with a lifetime guarantee.") This apparently non-biased review is based upon the reviewer's years of experience; however, this website does not comment on any products the author dislikes.

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5. EZineArticles.com
Nov. 15, 2007
The Cardinal Bird Feeder – What Works Best?
by Robert Kegebein
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This well-written article by an experienced bird watcher considers bird feeders from the cardinal's point of view. While recommending hopper and fly-through platform feeders as the best choices for… attracting this bird, the author also compares two squirrel-proof feeders with perches designed especially for cardinals: the Yankee Whipper and the Brome Squirrel Buster with the cardinal perch ring. He says cardinals look more comfortable standing on the curved perch of the Whipper, but in other ways the Squirrel Buster is just as good or better.

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6. Birder's World
Aug. 2008
100 Feeders
by Editors of Birder's World magazine
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This article lists names and product details of 100 different bird feeders, including "20 feeders that stand up to squirrels, bears, and Mother Nature" (Brome's Squirrel Buster II and Arundale's Sky Café appear under this heading) and "10 feeders that put a smile on our face" (including Droll Yankee's Flipper). This website does not specify the criteria for inclusion on the various lists.
7. The Wall Street Journal
Oct. 4, 2007
Bird Feeders: Some Stylish, Eco-Friendly
by Anjali Athavaley
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Four bird feeders, including one squirrel-proof model (The Yankee Flipper), get tested and reviewed. The report says the Flipper was "easy to set up" but cites as a "drawback" the fact that the bottom has a motor with a battery that needs to be charged.
8. Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders Guide
May 10, 2008
Brome Bird Feeder Squirrel Proof
by "Squirrelcop"
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This website presents a good side-by-side comparison of two bird feeders by Brome: the Squirrel Buster Classic and the Squirrel Buster Plus. Writer "Squirrelcop" says both are "effective and humane," but does not say whether these conclusions are based upon research or experience.
9. Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders Guide
April 7, 2008
Yankee Flipper Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder Review – Pros and Cons
by "Squirrelcop"
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This single-product review lists three pros and five cons for The Flipper, which writer "Squirrelcop" says is "effective at dealing with most squirrels."
10. SquirrelFreeBirding.com
2008
My Squirrel-Proofing Picks
by Susie Duff
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

The author of a free "Squirrel-Proofing Tips" guide says the Duncraft Squirrel Stopper System (a special pole with a squirrel-baffle and four hooks) is her "first choice for squirrel-proofing," because it… can protect up to four regular feeders at one time. For yards too small for a pole, however, she recommends the Roller Feeder. This review is thoughtfully written and easy to understand, but does not appear to include any product testing.

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11. The New York Times
Oct. 4, 2002
Fattening Up the Feathered, Not the Furred
by Suzanne Hamlin
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This article, based on an interview with two bird supply merchants (Duncraft and Bird Watcher's Country Store), says squirrel-proof feeders are top sellers, and "the Yankee Flipper feeder is just about as bad as it gets for squirrels." The author also seems impressed with the Absolute II and Duncraft's Squirrel-Proof Feeding Station Selective.
12. Audubon Magazine
Not Dated
Pesky Pranksters
by Ted Williams
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This very brief article on gray squirrels credits the Yankee Flipper with finally putting the "old saw that there is no such thing as a squirrel-proof bird feeder (at least one without screening)...;to rest." Other products are not mentioned.
13. BirdwatchAmerica.com
Not Dated
Best in Show Winners
by Editors of BirdwatchAmerica.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Birdwatch America, billed as the country's largest backyard nature products trade show, announces the Best in Show winners for 2008, including Brome Bird Care whose Squirrel Buster Mini was voted "best new product."
14. The New York Times
May 11, 2003
Out of Order; Outwitted by a Rodent
by David Bouchier
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This is a humorous article about the author's 16-year struggle to keep Long Island squirrels from raiding his bird feeders. After trying everything, including the Bouncer, the Yankee Flipper and a "big… ugly" caged feeder, he concludes that nothing works. This is not a serious review of any particular bird feeders; nevertheless it serves as a caution that squirrels may be honing their skills with each human advance in squirrel-proofing technology.

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15. The Wall Street Journal
Not dated
Food fight: birds vs. squirrels
by Eileen White Read and Sarah Robertson
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

The article reports and comments on the recent boom in spending for bird supplies, particularly on squirrel-proof bird products whose numbers have tripled in a span of three years. The authors raise a… controversial issue - namely whether squirrel-proofing is ultimately effective or a good idea to begin with - and mentions certain feeders in this discussion, including the Yankee Flipper and Wild Bill's Electric Squirrel-Free feeder.

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16. BackyardChirper.com
As of Dec. 2008
Arundale Mandarin Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
by Contributors to BackyardChirper.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Eight owners review Arundale's Mandarin bird feeder. All the reviews are favorable.
17. Amazon.com
As of Dec. 2008
Squirrel-Proof Feeders
by Contributors to Amazon.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Amazon.com customers review nearly 40 squirrel-proof bird feeders, but only four have more than 10 reviews. The most popular is the Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster Plus Wild Bird Feeder with Cardinal Perch Ring, which receives well-above-average scores from nearly 75 owners.

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