Customer Reviews

Droll Yankee SDC Green Wild Bird Feeder with Domed Cage

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have two of this model and one of the old model with the plastic bottom that catches the seed. All three are the very best. They are definitely squirrel proof (but not raccoon proof!). We live in a natural setting so the bird seed dropping to the ground is not a problem. I've had the old model for at least 7 years and this SDC model for at least three. They not only last, but are easy to fill and clean.

The product is well made, has a great design. It allows the little birds to fly in and feed, keeping the large birds out. The only problem I had was somehow the squirrels got onto it (probably climbed up one of my taller plants near it) and tried to chew through the wire. So I had to move the pole over to an area in my garden that had only low growing plants. I also have in place a squirrel guard on the pole to keep the chipmunks and squirrels away. All is well now and the small birds can eat without being scared away. I also have to say that I like doing business with a company that stands behind their product. I called Droll Yankee twice regarding questions I had and both times I received professional, courteous service and support. I would not hesitate to buy another one of their products!

This feeder is squirrel proof & Grackle proof. Both were decimating the seed in the previous feeder in quick time. Now just the small birds can get to the seed.

Like most folks that like to feed the birds, I suffer the same relentless frustration of trying to keep the squirrels away from them. I am constantly amazed at how they come to defeat all the baffles and devices I have set up to keep them at bay. Most of the time we come to just settle into an uneasy truce with them. If the baffle/special feeder works most of time, we learn to live with it. These caged feeders really are the only true defense that is pretty much fool proof when it comes to keeping the pesky varmints away. The so called "Squirrel buster" models that are so popular work very well most of the time. But defeating it is just a simple matter of the squirrel learning to hang down from above and grabbing the food without using his weight to activate any device. For most of us this is a very common and frustrating scene around our feeders. The caged model doesn't stop a squirrel from getting onto the feeder and crawling all over it trying to get inside, but it does stop them from getting to the seed, and eventually they learn that their efforts are futile. They are the best investment there is in my opinion for defeating the squirrels. Even better than the squirrel buster. However there is one downside that should be considered before buying this feeder. Caging your seed like this comes at a cost for keeping the squirrels away. Even though a lot of people like the idea of keeping larger birds like blue jays and blackbirds away with this type of feeder along with the squirrels, keep in mind that it will also lock out birds that we tend to like having around as well. A cardinal cannot get into this cage, nor can a blue bird, flicker, or the occasional red bellied woodpecker I enjoy seeing at my feeders. I own two of them and this past winter I even saw some juncos, a seasonal bird here that I like that were too fat to get inside the cage. For most of us these are birds that we either enjoy seeing stop by for a visit, or are just very rare and is a real treat to see at any time. In short, this caged system works very well at keeping much of the undesirables and riff raff away, but it also works equally well on some members of the first team. I recommend this cage for keeping squirrels and troublesome big birds away, but I do not recommend it if it is to be the only feeder, or feeders you own. It should be part of a regimen of other feeders that will allow the desirable species to dine on your wares as well. (Like the "Squirrel Buster" that is not as effective as this, but still the best open style squirrel proof feeder I know of. And it's a whole lot cheaper than this too). In conclusion, it works very well at what its designed for, but don't use it alone. You will only miss out on a lot of very colorful birds that will be flying off elsewhere for their pleasure...

Soon as my feeder came in, it was cleaned, filled & hung. Not a single bird seemed to care; however, once my larger feeder emptied ... I pulled it down for a few days so the birds could get used to it. Now the smaller birds love being able to eat without worry. It's nice to see them enjoy the seed while a larger bird swoops down to the ground and eats their leftovers! Although, the red-bellied woodpecker is too big to fit, he has figured out how to position himself just right to dart his head in to get some seed. It is a definate sight to see. Would recommend to anyone. And like most bird watching critics, the only problem with this feeder is you have to refill often.

This bird feeder was a pleasant surprise. The squirrels can't reach in to get the seed no matter how hard they try. Only the smaller birds can fit in to get food which means that they can eat without the larger birds pushing them out of the way. The other nice thing is that the bottom of the cage surrounding the actual feeder is open, allowing for the few seeds that fall out to fall to the ground. I had another bird feeder of similar design but the bottom was not open and seed would build up on the bottom of the feeder. When it rained the seed would get all wet and moldy, which meant that I was always cleaning it. There was alot of wasted seed. No such problems with this feeder! Unlike similar feeders that have a mesh feed holder, this one has a plastic tube to hold the seed with 4 ports for the birds to access the food. This really, really helps to reduce wasted seed and keeps it dry when it rains. It also has a nice plastic cover which keeps the rain off of the seed and offers some protection to the birds. This is so much better than the previous bird feeder I had. It is well worth the extra money to purchase Droll Yankee products!

This feeder did keep the squirrels from raiding the seed. But something made the cage fall off. I assume it was the very determined squirrel that was all over it trying to get at the seed. I could not see what part failed. The feeder is at the service shop being repaired. Thank goodness for the lifetime guarantee.

The cage on this feeder is just the right size to keep out those voracious starlings, but to let in all of the finches. I originally tried a cage made by a different company, but it was too small in diameter and the starlings were able to stick their head and neck through to get at the birdseed. The other nice thing about Droll Yankee tube feeders is that they are easy to take apart to clean thoroughly. And the customer service and lifetime warranty is great.

Whenever I am in the market for a new bird feeder I always look to see what's new, hoping for "a better mousetrap". However, I just about always end up with a Droll Yankee product. I have bought at least a dozen over the last 15 or so years and they are all in service. Yes, they are a little pricey, but quality always is. Their products perform as promised (I have a Yankee Flipper that drives the squirrels nuts!) and their customer service is the best.

As for this particular feeder, I really like it. It a simple yet effect way to keep not only squirrels but larger birds away from the seed. I like large birds too, but often they chase off the little guys (Kinglets, various Finches, Nuthatches, etc.). I have other feeders for the Blue Jays, Woodpeckers and Doves, this one is for the rest of the flock. I just wish that the capacity was a little greater but still it's a wonderful feeder.

I love this Droll Yankee bird feeder. It is easy to fill and keeps the large birds from eating all the food. The larger birds are able to eat the food that falls on the ground....so both benefit.