Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Latest Magic Halo Instructional Video

Here is our latest instructional video for the Magic Halo ("Classic" model shown). As you will see, it is VERY easy to assemble and install. Contact us at: admin@magichalo.org if you have any questions. Thanks!

 

Monday, July 9, 2018

Deter House Sparrows from your hanging feeder with a Magic Halo

The Magic Halo is a hand-crafted device for the sole purpose of deterring House Sparrows (HOSP) from hanging bird feeders. The Halo is hung first on your shepherds hook, then the feeder on a hook inside the Halo. The original Magic Halo was invented and patented by the University of Nebraska. The original study papers can be viewed in PDF format HERE & HERE.

NOTES:
  • Before purchasing a Magic Halo, please read our disclaimer. Halos over feeders serve as an adult HOSP deterrent, though for many it is HOSP-proof. As with anything birds, results can vary. At this time, our survey results indicate that roughly 80% of customers achieve 80-100% of adult HOSP eliminated from their feeder(s), This appears to make the device quite successful overall.
  • Two lengths of hanging wires are offered. 38" should be long enough to ensure that the weighted ends fall several inches below the lowest feeding station(s) on most large sized tube feeders, e.g. Droll Yankees, Brome, etc. A custom wire length can be determined by measuring the total length of your feeder (including the hanger) and adding 6".
Product Description:
  • Resist feeding non-native invasive HOSP to encourage native species
  • 20" diameter works for most hanging feeder designs (email us with any questions)
  • Hunter Green enamel-finished crossbar (Deluxe upgrade available)
  • 12 AWG (3/32") thick galvanized hoop, marked for symmetrical wire placement
  • 24 AWG clip-on galvanized weighted hanging wires
  • Designed for hanging feeders using 1/2" diameter Shepherd hook
  • Simply hang between hook and bird feeder
  • With more targeted feeding, expect lower volume and cost of birdseed
  • Price reflects materials cost, ~2 hours labor, and packaging of item
  • Easy assembly in only a few minutes, requiring only a phillips head screwdriver
Visit our Support page for the instructional video.




The birds flying up at, and then away from the feeder in the above video are adult HOSP. The Magic Halo serves as as deterrent, allowing native birds more access to your feeders. If you find it is not at least reducing HOSP, you may return your Halo for a complete refund (+ one-way shipping).

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Experimenting with a Bluebird nest box

We have a customer from Fort Wayne IN mounting our Magic Halo over a Bluebird nest box. As many of you know, HOSP invading birdhouses and terrorizing native birds already using them is very disheartening, to say the least. Victims most often include Swallows and Bluebirds.

Unfortunately, the University of Nebraska (who did the original studies on the efficacy of lines and a hoop device as they affect birds) did not officially endorse the Magic Halo for use in this application. You can read that study paper HERE (pdf).

Therefore, we cannot guarantee positive results in nest box applications. Despite that, our "test customer" is having wonderful success using the halo, having tried a "sparrow spooker" first without luck.

Stay tuned for more result updates as we learn of them!

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Testimonial from North Andover, MA

"It seems to be working really well. Yesterday there were a few [HOSP] being a bit persistent around the halo but they didn't enter.  They are certainly pesky little birds. I also noticed them on my other bluebird feeder with mealyworms. I have 2 pair of bluebirds actively visiting that feeder so I wonder if I should get another one for that feeder? I take it you think it will not deter the bluebirds?" -- Josselyn

This is wonderful to hear! The Magic Halo is not known to impact Bluebirds; mainly House Sparrows. Thank you so much for the feedback, we hope to hear from you again soon!


Thursday, February 1, 2018

Our first customer is from Indianapolis IN!

Lesly and her hubby are from Indianapolis IN. They ordered one of our Magic Halos, and immediately saw results! We welcome them as we begin to grow a close-knit customer base, working together to ward off those pesky House Sparrows!

Thank you so much Lesly, for coming on board!


Tuesday, January 2, 2018

The Story Behind Magic Halo

Frank Warnock (Admin, Magic Halo/Bird Feeder Halo) has been an advocate for walking, bicycling, and wildlife conservation his entire adult life. The idea to fight decline of native species was inspired by his (and other Advocate’s) devastating loss in trying to save 180 acres of critical habitat area, wetlands, and open space in Ogletown, Delaware. This occurred at the hands of Government corruption and profiteering, at the expense of threatened and endangered species, and can never be recovered. Such loss of biodiversity is directly responsible for declining native bird populations, while facilitating an increase in House Sparrows (HOSP) and other non-native birds.
As a Technical Specialist by trade, Frank has put his skills to work in order to assist other bird feeding enthusiasts. First was producing a 20" version of the "Magic Halo", a device that was originally invented at the University of Nebraska (pdf) to deter non-native House Sparrows (HOSP). Also in the works is a Starling-resistant peanut splits feeder.
Some of Frank's favorite affiliations over 35 years include the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey, NY/NJ Trail Conference, Rails to Trails Conservancy, Wetlands Institute (NJ), Delaware Nature Society, etc.

We hope you find our services helpful in your endeavor to efficiently feed native American birds to the exclusion of non-native. We must work together toward a more resilient natural world. Please “Like” us here on Facebook and share with others for all the latest tips and strategies for feeding native birds while (hopefully) forcing non-native into decline.
R.I.P. Orphanage Property, critical habitat, wetlands, and open space being destroyed through Govt corruption, at the hands of  both New Castle County and the State of Delaware.