Free standing or standalone squirrel proof bird feeders are one stop solution for squirrel-free bird feeding.
This means they come as complete, all in one pack solution so you don't have to go through tons of reviews about the various types of squirrel-proof feeders, poles, baffles, squirrel deterrents, feeder hanging, different anti-squirrel tactics, etc.
Unfortunately, these "set and forget" anti-squirrel feeders are not so easy to find. In spite of the great reviews from previous customers, some of the most renowned brands are discontinued now without any reasonable explanation from manufacturers.
Though it is possible to assemble great free standing squirrel proof bird feeder compiled from top quality feeder itself along with the appropriate pole, baffle and dome, I thought it would be nice to point out great quality features presented in Brome Complete Buster Plus, possibly "the last of the Mohicans" from Free standing squirrel proof bird feeder group.
As shown in the image above, Brome Complete Buster Plus comes along with Accessory Kit and here's what you get in the package:
- Brome Squirrel Buster Feeder. This feeder is the best rated weight activated squirrel proof bird feeders in the market.
- 1 1/4 inch Universal Pole Kit to place your feeder on it
- Pole adaptor so you can connect the feeder to the pole
Standalone squirrel proof bird feeder:
Squirrel Buster Plus
- Cardinal perch so you can feed cardinals as well
- Feeder weather guard so that the birds don't mind the rain and snow
- Mounting tools and some other accessories
In fact, it includes all necessary components for full-fledged free standing squirrel proof bird feeder.
If you want to buy this feeder, please visit this Amazon.com link to check the price and read in-depth reviews.
Update: this particular model of solar anti squirrel bird feeder has been discontinued. Please check some other squirrel shocking bird feeders that are currently available.
Thank you.
"Squirrel-Off" - a solar powered squirrel proof bird feeder
What we have here is review of really unique type of anti-squirrel bird feeder that differs much from any other bird feeder you can buy online. Among the other features, "Squirrel-Off" solar bird feeder is possibly the most expensive squirrel proof bird feeder in the market... but in return - it is technologically the most advanced bird feeder ever!
Basically, the "Squirrel-Off" solar feeder belongs to the group of electric squirrel proof bird feeders, but unlike any other other feeder it uses solar energy for its anti-squirrel tactics.So let's see how this feeder works.
"Squirrel-Off" feeder features
My first impression is that the designer of this bird feeder did not care too much about feeder's decorative side and it seems that the feeder's functionality comes first here. A minimalist looks, resembling simplified metal birdhouse painted green is a stereotype seen so many times in many of bird feeders in the market these days. Bird food is not served through feeding holes, but from feeding platform and the birds are offered two roosts to comfortably find the place on. Good thing about the way the feeder's construction is that it is really easy for cleaning, and also it is up to your choice whether you are going to hang it or place it on a pole.
But what's that blue square on feeder's roof? Well, that is a solar cell that collects light energy and turns it into electric energy that is necessary for keeping this feeder "squirrel free". So how it works?
Anti-squirrel concept of "Squirrel-Off" feeder
"Squirrel-Off" feeder gives small and absolutely harmless electric shock to all attacking squirrels. Practically, it is static electricity you feel sometimes when shaking hands to someone... sounds familiar, right? The whole idea is to keep the feeder under electric charge till the squirrels touch it. The moment the contact happens the snapping static discharge runs through squirrel's limb and it simply runs away. The best thing about it is that this feeder does not need battery - it is completely on autopilot due to self-recharging from solar energy.
But how come the birds don't experience the same? It's because the birds have very different body structure from the squirrels and are virtually immune to the risk of small voltage electric shock. BTW, similar tactics to scare away the squirrels using electricity may be found with battery powered electric squirrel proof bird feeder created by Wild Bill.
Now, here's a video clip to show you how this solar bird feeder scares the squirrels away:
Where to buy "Squirrel-Off" solar powered bird feeder?
Unlike previously reviewed electric spinning squirrel proof bird feederthat gets rid of the squirrels by spinning them off, the feeder that's about to be reviewed here utilizes electric power in very different way... and I bet you can guess how it works from the title of this review!
The "Wild Bill's 8 port squirrel-proof feeder" gives squirrels tiny and absolutely harmless electric shock that's rather unpleasant than painful, but it's informative enough so that the squirrels understand clearly they are not welcome at the feeder. After several attempts to reach the food and experiencing static each and every time they hop on feeder's metal surface, the "critters" will finally withdraw for good as they actually get trained to avoid the feeder in the future.
It's also important to underline that the birds are not objects of electric shocks because they are smaller than the squirrels and not able to trigger the closing of battery powered electric circuit. This would be basic concept of this anti squirrel feeder and now let's see more in-depth features review.
Feeder construction
"Wild Bill's 8 port squirrel-proof feeder" looks pretty much like classic outdoor lantern so it easily fits in almost any garden decor. Wide upper tray is dome shaped in order to protect the bird seed from snow and rain, while the lower tray comes convenient as a birds resting place. The dimensions of the feeder are 18"x15" (height and width) and the food reservoir may store up to amazing 14 lbs of bird seed so the frequent refills are not necessary. The reservoir has total of 8 feeding holes with according perches so that the birds can easily find a place to stand on. You can this feeder on shepherds hook or on tree but you can also mount it to a pole - the choice is all yours, but the pole is not included in this feeder part list.
The inside of the feeder features local electric grid made of wires attached to feeder metal parts. Of course, we are talking about low voltage (9 V) alkaline battery powered circuit. Without any knowledge about AC/DC stuff, the squirrel will step on the feeder and of course touch the metal parts of it. And when the squirrel touches two separate metal surfaces (i.e. plus and minus battery poles) - that's when the GANGNAM style dance starts! The static chases a squirrel away from the feeder and after several attempts the squirrel will go away. Of course, this low voltage is completely harmless for the squirrels health.
This short video clip shows a moment when the squirrel touches two metal surfaces of electric bird feeder and gets instant electric shock:
Where to buy Wild Bill's electric squirrel-proof feeder?
I suggest you should check this Amazon.com link first because of the occasional discounts.
Also, please make sure to have a look at the other reviews of this feeder.
If you are looking for full-fledged squirrel proof bird feeder solution with pole and anti-squirrel baffle or weather guard included, these two feeders are definitely worth of your attention. As you will probably notice first, what we've got here are highly decorative bird feeders that add up to aesthetics of any garden or backyard. But how squirrel-proof they are?
Well, if it's to judge by dozens of customers who bought, reviewed and rated Brome Squirrel Buster Plus and Zenith Innovation 001 Effortless Bird Feeder with Baffle, these two feeders share high third position on the top ten list of best rated squirrel proof feeders available on the market today!
Now let's see why these feeders get so many positive feedback from its first time or returning customers and why so many people decide to buy even more than one piece of these feeders?
1. Features of Brome Squirrel Buster Plus With Pole
Till recent, "Brome Squirrel Buster Plus" has been manufactured as hanging feeder only, but at the request of the customers it finally got the pole version and it's surely good news! But even better news is that the pole version comes in package with several other perks such as:
- Pole adapter that prevents the feeder to be easily detached from pole in the wind for example
- Weather guard that keeps the birds out of the rain
- Specially designed cardinal perch ring to attract the cardinals
- Wrenches for pole mounting so you don't need your toolbox at all :)
For the current price of this feeder and previous customers reviews please check this Amazon.com link
Please note:
This feeder does not come with accessory seed trays or anti squirrel baffle, but luckily - the pole is standard in diameter (1 1/4 inch) so almost any baffle will do the trick.
If you need advice for a really good baffle, you can find more info in my article on anti-squirrel baffles for bird feeders.
Also, if you are interested in seed tray, I'd strongly recommend Brome seed tray because it is compatible with Brome pole from the feeder.
Once you mount all the feeder parts together, it will look like this:
2. Features of Pole Mounted Bird Feeder (Update: Discontinued)
"Zenith Innovation 001 Effortless Bird Feeder with Baffle"
"Zenith Innovation" in the essence is a pole mounted bird feeder. It consists of tubular bird feeder and feeder pole. Tubular feeder can store up to 13 cups of bird food and it is made of UV resistant poly-carbonate plastics. This means the plastic tube does not get blurred in the sunlight after some time. Also, the feeder's tube is constructed to slide up and down the pole - that comes pretty when refilling bird food reservoir!
The feeder pole has following additions: pole roof, bird feeding tray, anti-squirrel baffle and pretty solid free standing base. The secret of feeder's squirrelproofness (is there such word?) is in both it's construction and feeder positioning in your garden.
When choosing right spot to place this feeder it's always good idea to move it away from the trees in order to avoid squirrel parachute troops from the above. Also, as there are very talented acrobat squirrels who can perform up to 15 feet horizontal jumps, make sure to move this feeder to safe distance away from any tree, roof or wall! Now that we are safe from the "above", the feeder can take care about the squirrels invading from bellow because the squirrels just can't make passed the baffle mounted to the pole.
Here's short video presentation where you can see more details about "Zenith Innovation" feeder:
Where to buy Zenith Innovation pole mounted bird feeder?
If you really liked this feeder and want to have one in your garden, make sure to check for the best deals and occasional discounts at this link.
For detailed reviews from dozens of people who already bought Zenith Innovation, please check here.
Mostly praised, but sometimes also criticized by its customers, the Absolute II Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder is for sure among the top-ten "most talked about" squirrel proof feeders you can buy online. As you can probably conclude from the feeder name, the "Absolute II" feeder model has its older brother named Absolute Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder. This old model has been (and still is) sold all over USA with great success for past couple of decades. The Absolute II is improved version of the Absolute and it is likely to precede its brother in both birth feeding and squirrel-proof functionality. Both Absolute and Absolute II are produced by "Heritage Farms", a small family company from Illinois. The feeder and all of the feeder parts are made in USA and the producer offers 5 years warranty period for this feeder.
Feeder design
The Absolute II feeder features really clever design. At the first look, it closely resembles ordinary bird house and the birds love it! But there so much more to it. This "bird house" has transparent windows on both sides (please check the above image) so that the birds get easily attracted when spot all the food inside. But that's not the only purpose of the windows - the windows are also the seed level indicator so you can easily decide if the refill is necessary.
By its construction, The Absolute II is metal bird feeder. Its robust housing is made of powder coated steel to stand the test of time for literally several decades. Feeder's food reservoir has volume of 2 gallons and may hold up to 12 lbs. of bird seed. Even when in groups, the birds will find enough space and comfortable accommodation on two feeder roosts and may enjoy total of 14 feeding holes (seven holes on each side).
Another unique feature of this feeder is that it has been designed for both hanging and pole mounting and you can fit it in your garden or your backyard any way you want! Good news is that you don't need to buy hanging or pole hardware accessories separately from feeder because those are included in package along with the feeder. Having all necessary and original hardware around may come handy if you change your mind about mounting preferences. Also, this way you'll avoid the risk of incompatibility between the feeder and mounting hardware.
Anti-squirrel features of the feeder
Weight is the catch!
As shown in the picture to the left, the core principle of feeder squirrel-proof mechanism lies in the amount of weight that's been put against the feeder's roost. The birds are light by nature and not even several of them may weight as much as a single squirrel. That's why the birds can not activate anti-squirrel protection. But when the squirrel hops on the roost, the weight-sensitive spring activates the lever that lowers the roost and shuts the closes feeding ports at the same time. The triggering weight of squirrel-proof mechanism is fully adjustable, so you can even shut down the food access not only to the squirrels, but also to the bigger birds too. This means you can set this feeder to act like bird feeder for small birds only. The raccoon, rats and similar animal intruders would be disappointed and left without dinner if attacked this feeder as well.
Where to buy Absolute II Squirrel Proof Feeder?
For the best deals on Absolute II Squirrel Proof Feeder please check this Amazon.com link.
Also, for more reviews about this feeder please check what people who already bought it have to say.
