The box mentions that this can be used for feeding chickens. I don’t have any chickens so this review is for the wild birds.
My first thought as I unboxed it: it’s huge! Lots of storage for food. It’s 3.5 pounds, and I wondered how my bird feeder stand would handle it when it was filled with food. It can hold a gallon's worth of seed.
It took about five minutes to put together, and that was without looking at instructions (I am the sort that will look at the instructions only once I get stumped.)
All of the parts
You need to supply four AA batteries, which I popped in and set the clock.
I left the AutoFeeder in my living room for a few days, and a couple of times I heard a whirring noise. It turns out there are presets for the auto feeding times and it was running. I was bamboozled as to what the sound was the first few times it went off.
My favorite bird, a Tufted Titmouse, at the AutoFeeder
You can set up to four different times for food dispensing. Right now I have it going off in the early morning, at lunch, and early evening, all with the dispensing run time of 10 seconds. Scheduling feeding times is pretty zippy and easy to do.
The AutoFeeder set up on the deck with a couple of my other feeders
Since some early birds get up before I do, I set the first time-release to go off before the time I get up so their food will be ready for them.
As someone who lives in southeastern Michigan where it can get quite cold and snowy, I am a big fan of setting it up and not having to refill for days. I have several other feeders, but those can quickly be cleaned out by flocks of Starlings and House Sparrows. With the AutoFeeder, there will be at least one source of food that will be replenished every few hours.
A House Finch pair at the AutoFeeder
Speaking of the weather, the skirt bit has been doing a great job at keeping the snow off the food. I had a snow cover for my tray feeder but the squirrels didn’t like it and now it’s gone.
Blue Jay at the AutoFeeder on a snowy day
I did not have any issues with the feeder being too heavy on the bird feeder stand. I have a light birch log on the other side of the stand, so all the weight is pretty much on one side and it’s doing just fine.
If you’re going on vacation - or even just out and about on the town - it's nice that you can continue to feed the birds while you’re away. (Note: it is okay to not feed birds all the time, birds do not depend on feeders for their food. Feeders are supplemental to their diet.)
A Blue Jay checking out the AutoFeeder
It’s also nice that if you like taking photos - like me! - that once you have the feeding times set up, all you need to do is grab your camera right after the food is scheduled. The birds will learn when the food shows up and that makes for good photo opportunities, along with some nice bird watching.
A Common Grackle with his uncommon colors calls from the top of the bird feeder stand
I’ve had quite a few visitors to the feeders. As I type this, an American Tree Sparrow is at the feeder. Other visitors include: Northern Cardinals, House Finches, Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, American Goldfinches, Red-winged Blackbirds, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and Blue Jays.
Red-winged Blackbirds grabbing some food
Overall I am very impressed! The birds are happy, and that makes me happy!
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This moment was captured late Spring of 2021. I was watching a Great Blue Heron rookery, which is a colony of several nests. I noticed an Osprey flying along the north edge of the pond and then a Red-winged Blackbird flew up from the marsh to follow. These Blackbirds are very territorial and will chase off much bigger birds to defend their nests.
As the Osprey turned towards me, I noticed that the Osprey was carrying a stick for its nest. At one point the Red-winged Blackbird looked like it was going for a ride!
I was surprised at how long the Red-winged Blackbird followed the Osprey, but I'm glad it did - it made for a interesting photo!
This photo has been featured at the following sites:
]]>From the 2020 Michigan Audubon news article:
"We are excited to announce that the winner of the 2020 Michigan Audubon Photography Contest is Jocelyn Anderson! Her three submissions were stunning, with the Blue Jay in Flight photograph standing out above all. The photo will appear on the cover of a future issue of our member magazine, the Jack Pine Warbler. Until then, enjoy her Yellow Warbler portrait taken in Whitmore Lake during the spring of 2019.
Jocelyn is a wildlife photographer in southeastern Michigan who is a big fan of birds. She focuses on capturing moments of wildlife, looking to showcase the beauty of the natural world. These photos range from dramatic moments of action to birds simply being. Her work has been featured by the National Audubon Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and BBC Wildlife."
]]>My photo of the Sandhill Crane colt and the Canada Goose chick (which I call "the fuzzbutts"), and the photo of the Sandhill Crane with its heart-sharped crown were chosen out of over 6,000 photos.
Both of these photos are available for purchase on my site:
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Check out the article to learn about these amazing birds!
]]>The first has a Great Blue Heron with his feathers looking a little ruffled. His head feathers are right on end!
The second is one of the sweet Yellow Warbler, taking a break from filling the air with song.
Both products are currently available as 8.5x11 prints with a 11x14 mat and ship free.
]]>I take many photos of American Robins, but it can be tricky to get a decent photo of these hopping birds. I do like the pose of this Robin against the bright green grass.
Last but not least, the profile of this adorable Cape May Warbler shows off his chestnut cheeks!
]]>This Blackburnian Warbler picture is available as a 8.5x11 print on a 11x14 mat.
]]>One of the cheeriest birds around is the Yellow Warbler. They are bright spots of sunshine, often heard and seen singing their hearts out. I captured a photo of one pausing on a Maple branch with its new leaves.
This Yellow Warbler on a Maple branch picture is available as a 8.5x11 print on a 11x14 mat.
I have seen Yellow Warbler flying around with nesting material, so I'm looking forward to see these bright birds throughout the summer!
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Location: 1800 N Dixboro Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Time: 9 AM - 4 AM
I'll have several small canvases with desk stands, along with a couple of larger canvases, which are not currently available in my shop. Magnets and a plethora of prints will be available as well! Hope to see you there!
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