You can buy bird feeders near you at specialty wild bird stores, where you can hold a feeder, see how it opens for filling and cleaning, and have staff match it to the birds and squirrels in your yard. In Ontario, Urban Nature Store sells bird feeders at ten local stores, and any of the more than 450 feeders in its online catalogue can be ordered for pickup at the nearest one.
What Should You Bring When Buying a Bird Feeder in Person?
Three pieces of information make an in-store visit far more useful, because they let staff suggest a feeder that fits your setup on the first try:
- Photos of the spot where the feeder will go, showing the pole, hook or railing and any nearby trees, fences or roofs
- The diameter of your pole or shepherd's hook, since squirrel baffles only fit certain sizes
- The birds and squirrels you see, including whether the squirrels are red or grey and whether grackles or other large birds empty the feeder
Pole size decides which squirrel baffle will fit. Urban Nature Store's 18-inch wrap-around baffle fits poles and hooks from ½ to 1 3/8 inches across, while its 16-inch dome-top baffle fits straight poles from ½ to 1¾ inches but may not fit around a shepherd's hook.
How Do Store Staff Match a Feeder to Your Squirrel Problem?
Staff match a squirrel-resistant feeder to the size of the squirrels and the birds you want to keep feeding. Red squirrels are smaller than grey squirrels, so a feeder has to close at a light enough weight to stop them. The Squirrel Buster Mini, for example, is factory set to close its ports at 115 g, which Urban Nature Store's product page says shuts out both red and grey squirrels.
Other Squirrel Buster models let you adjust the closing weight, and some have removable perches that turn the feeder into a clingers-only feeder, where birds must cling to the ports to eat, which helps deter grackles and doves. Staff in the store can show how to set that adjustment before the feeder goes up. The full range is in the squirrel-proof feeders collection.
What Can You Check by Holding a Feeder Before You Buy?
Holding a feeder shows how easily it comes apart for cleaning, which matters because Urban Nature Store's feeder maintenance guide recommends cleaning seed feeders every two weeks from spring to fall and every three to four weeks in winter.
In hand, check how the lid or top opens for filling, whether the perches, base and ports detach, and whether a brush can reach the bottom of the tube. The maintenance guide notes that Brome Squirrel Buster feeders are designed for easy disassembly, and Urban Nature Store sells feeder brush sets in several sizes for narrow tubes and ports.
Can a Local Store Help With Replacement Parts and Warranties?
Yes, for Brome feeders. Urban Nature Store's feeder maintenance guide says replacement parts for Brome feeders are available in its stores, so a worn part can often be replaced instead of buying a new feeder.
Warranty terms differ from feeder to feeder, and a store visit is a good time to ask which one applies. The Squirrel Buster Plus, for example, carries a lifetime warranty on parts and squirrel damage, while the Squirrel Buster Standard and Classic carry 2-year manufacturer's warranties. Keep the box and receipt: Urban Nature Store accepts returns within 45 days when the item comes back in its original condition and packaging.
Where Are the Nearest Stores, and Can You Order a Feeder to One?
Urban Nature Store's ten stores are in Etobicoke, North York, Mississauga, Markham, Thornhill, Pickering, Oshawa, Ancaster/Hamilton, St. Catharines and Kingston, with addresses and hours on the store locations page. Most product pages in the bird feeders collection show how many units each store has, and a feeder can be ordered online for pickup at the store of your choice or shipped anywhere in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a weather dome worth adding to a bird feeder?
Usually, in winter. Urban Nature Store's maintenance guide recommends weather domes or baffles to shield feeders from snow and ice and keep the seed dry, since wet or clumped seed is one of the first signs a feeder needs attention.
Should a bird feeder hang over grass or a patio?
Over grass or mulch, where possible. Urban Nature Store's maintenance guide recommends placing feeders over grass or mulch instead of hard surfaces to reduce bacteria buildup, and moving them occasionally so the ground underneath can recover.
How can you stop seed from piling up under a feeder?
Use a seed catcher tray or switch to hulled seed. The maintenance guide suggests a seed catcher tray or sunflower hearts to reduce waste, along with raking up seed debris weekly.
