The Next Generation of Magic Halo: Sparrow-B-Gone!

The next generation of Magic Halo has arrived! The all new Sparrow-B-Gone! deploys an arm pattern instead of a hoop and is custom manufactured in Canada using UV-resistant plastics and recyclable materials. It uses clear nylon lines which are thicker, more reflective, and longer lasting than wood and steel wire. It is arguably more House Sparrow-resistant and goes further to reduce any possibility of tangling. Weights and lines can be removed and/or replaced, and both arms and lines can be readily adjusted to fit any size feeder. We are calling this a HUGE win for serious birders!

In terms of innovation, the company is just getting started. An enormous breakthrough is their universal roof mounting system that will easily adapt the product to bird feeders and boxes alike. Our customers made it clear that the arrival of a lines-type device to aid in bluebird husbandry, for example, was long overdue. Until now, hobbyists and conservationists could only rely on handmade contraptions or a version of "Sparrow Spooker" to help protect native cavity nesting birds. A new Sparrow-B-Gone product to protect bluebird houses (available soon) will abundantly fill that void and much more.

• Sparrow-B-Gone! products are based on the same research behind the Magic Halo products. 
• Products are available to fit almost all standard backyard bird feeders, whether hanging or post/wall mounted. 
• A new version for BirdBuddy(tm) smart camera feeders is now shipping and a version for Birdify camera feeders will be available shortly.
• They are made from premium materials, including UV resistant plastics that should hold up in Minneapolis in the winter or Phoenix in the summer.  All metal parts are stainless steel.
• All Sparrow-B-Gone! products are manufactured in Canada using advanced 3D printing systems and are assembled in the US.
• The products come with a one-year warranty and a 30-day return policy including free returns (US only).
• A new version of Sparrow-B-Gone! designed to protect most bluebird houses is in test and should be available in March or early April.
• The products are sold mostly through an Etsy store (sparrowbgone.etsy.com) although a few Wild Birds Unlimited stores do carry them.

Also check out their "BirdBuddy" camera and lines feeder system. Stay tuned for more!  ~Francis

Closing Shop After 5 Years and 1,311 Halos

Dear Customers,

After 5 years out in the shop, I have officially ended this journey in the design and manufacture of House Sparrow-resistant halo/lines systems for bird feeders. I was very happy to provide this service to the birding community, and to fill a necessary void given there are no formal halo manufactures. The fact that it is a deterrent and not "HOSP-proof" necessarily, yet I still had so many repeat customers over those 5 years, is a testament to its success IMO.

A new, alternative product is on the way. It is called "Sparrow-B-Gone" and the maker is working on a new website. It is currently posted on Etsy and has a really catchy logo! Check it out.

For a DIY video on how to make your own albeit in a X pattern, which appears effective also, check out this YouTube video by Jeff Hanson. Also, subscribe to his channel for future updates. Thank you so much!  --Francis

Limited Magic Halo Money-Back Guarantee (policy)

A situation occurred recently where a customer purchased 3 Magic Halos, then due to efficacy issues, returned them for a refund. This is a reminder that new users should purchase one (1) Halo to start, in order to try it out first and make sure it works as expected. Though most of our customers are satisfied, survey feedback indicates that it doesn't always work for everyone. This may be purely contextual, or based on a number of factors that we continually try and explain. And of course, we have no way of knowing if these customers are confusing other brown birds. We continue appealing for feedback, and urge all buyers to participate in our survey.

Because of the above situation, if you purchase multiple Halos with no prior experience using the device, we can only offer a money back guarantee on one (1) Halo. You are welcome to return the others and we will assess their condition for possible refurbishment. If they can be refreshed and resold, we will consider a partial refund there as well. To qualify, you must be certain of less than 50% efficacy after 60 days of use, after troubleshooting with the recommendations in our User Guide. Shipping is the responsibility of the customer.

Please see our Disclaimer for further info about Halo efficacy, including how the device was invented, studied, and originally marketed. Thanks for your understanding  -Admin, MH

As we enter our 4th year . . .

After 5 years of using and 3 years of building and selling Magic Halos as a non-profit cottage industry, the most recent data shows that success is dependent on the following:

• Feeder systems out in the open, away from trees, shrubs, garden furniture, fences, rails and other perch areas that serve as gathering and launch points.
• 
  Fall-Winter-Spring feeding only. Juvenile HOSP are immune, therefore, remove feeding systems through Summer and into early Autumn. The later in the Fall you restart, the higher your Halo efficacy is likely to be (winter is highest).
• Feed husk seeds only (black oil sunflower, safflower). HOSP will crack and eat these, but they much prefer millet, seed hearts and other readily eaten foods. If other opportunities are present, they may divert elsewhere.
• An area or neighborhood that is free from deliberate or otherwise abundant HOSP nesting facilities. For example, if people are providing nest boxes with 1.25"+ holes without monitoring, local colonization will be high with increased rates of juvenile Halo adaptation.
• 
  Hanging wires that are long enough to cover the lowest perch on your feeder. Failure to do so could see HOSP flying in from below (ext’s here).
• Adding additional hanging wires remains subjective. Results are mixed from customer to customer. We always recommend starting with 4 wires, upping it to 6 if it appears all else has failed (<75% efficacy). Often times, buyers of 6 keep the extra 2 as spares.
• A fairly level Halo; if your shepherd hook is too small, and is forcing it down on an angle, pull open the hoop at one of the inside crossbar set screws and bring it around the staff (staff now inside the Halo).
• Acceptance that you may not reach 100% Halo efficacy. Adjust your expectations to e.g. 80-90%. The Magic Halo is a HOSP deterrent, not -proof. One can only determine this by carefully observing with vs w/o use of the Halo and its hanging wires. If you observe fewer HOSP with the Halo, then continued use still makes sense.

IF you are unable to eradicate the majority of HOSP regardless of steps taken, consider adding a platform or tray below your feeder(s) to contain fallen seed. HOSP by nature are very aggressive birds, and this also shows in their eating habit. Feeders mobbed by HOSP will empty it in very little time, with most seed going to the ground uneaten. A tray will at least help contain and ensure that most of your seed investment remains at the feeder, and does get eaten. Trays also help facilitate Cardinals, and will make it easier for them to overcome their mild aversion to lines/wires.

Read our Magic Halo User’s Guide for additional tips and advice. You can also join the Facebook groups House Sparrow Control and Birdhouses, Bird Feeders & Garden Designs for Native Species to share your experiences and seek the input of others. 

Magic Halo 3-years in Review

To start 2022 in a good direction, let’s recap the most critical articles of the past few years. Some of our customers have passed the 3-year warranty point of their Magic Halo, and should be mindful of the toll that the elements may take on it. We carry all replacement parts at lower cost than retail from e.g. Lowes or Home Depot, available just by emailing us. Replacement wire sets are already offered on our products page. We will also have a Halo tune-up and safety check video coming out with the Spring edition of our newsletter. In the meantime, please review these past titles for anything that may help your bird-feeding and Halo experience:

• 2021 Magic Halo Survey, Final Results
• Are neighbors to blame for drop in Halo efficacy?
• Is your feeder wasting bird seed? Quick tip on what to look for
• Quick Tip: Use a tiny binder clip to shorten hanging wires
• Customers confusing HOSP with native species
• Possible House Sparrow Juvenile to Adult Timeline
• Test Case: Year-Round Feeding
• Hanging hardware will rust or tarnish (but not to worry)
• Strap Hanger Safety Inspection
• Latest Testimonials and Feedback, 2020
• Mod #2 Announced: Brome 30"+ Length Feeders
• Flashback: Bird-X "Sparrow-Free Magic Halo" (defunct)
• Latest Testimonials, Fall 2019
• Simple modification guards against feeder disconnect
• Experimenting with a Bluebird nest box

It is important to note that Magic Halo is a conservation-minded cottage industry. We do everything we possibly can to minimize cost, and bring you this product at the lowest price possible. If you were to round up the parts individually at e.g. Lowes, it would cost you more to build one of this quality yourself – never mind the labor involved. Just the 24 AWG wire roll alone costs $6, for example. Therefore, we are very happy that we can bring this product to you -- and it arrives with minimal cost and assembly required!  😇

PLEASE READ: Magic Halo 2021 Efficacy Survey 2.0

Please take or retake the Magic Halo Efficacy Survey for 2021 (2.0), by Zoho

Survey Monkey stripped features from our 2021 survey to the point it was dysfunctional and useless. First, they made the comments field a paid feature, which we needed for feedback and testimonials. Their latest move was to cut our number of visible survey results to 40, after we reached 48 and were hoping for 50. This is less than half of what was allowed for unpaid accounts. In a "nutshell", they want us to pay $33/month to run a single survey for an entire year, that has little chance of seeing 100+ participants anytime soon.

That said, we switched to ZoHo, a refreshing new platform that, unlike Survey Monkey, won't put the squeeze on us over the longer term. Simply said, we're not paying $300+/yr for what amounts to very little usage.

We would sincerely appreciate your participation (or re-participation if you already completed the 2021 Survey Monkey survey, even recently) which has been deleted with data unavailable. We lowered it to 2 Questions and an optional comments box, which can be used for feedback or a testimonial. We basically need to replace what was lost, with your help. Click HERE to access the new survey, with only seconds of your time required..

We thank you so much and appreciate your understanding!

--Frankie (Admin, MagicHalo.org).

Test Case: Year-Round Feeding

Since 2016, we have been feeding birds from Fall through early Spring using halos, starting out with the original Bird-X model. Then, upon its disappearance from the shelves, we started hand making and selling our own. Theirs or ours, House Sparrows (HOSP) were 100% eliminated -- not just from our feeders (2, pure black oil sunflower and safflower), but from the entire gardens it seemed.

After 4 HOSP-free years, for the first time, we decided to keep the feeders going year-round (2020), to ensure Halo efficacy remained consistent during the hot weather months. As it turned out, this was not the case; at some point during mid-Summer, a single HOSP would appear at a time. Then one became two, and then a few at a time as we entered late Summer and Fall. Now as many as 3-5 HOSP can be seen at a time making it through the hanging wires, but their behavior at the feeder is usually nervous and erratic, and they usually don't stay long (some longer than others).

So, in order to test efficacy, we did a few experiments. We found that removing the Halo does bring about a surge in HOSP numbers, and makes them more comfortable and thus more aggressive at the feeders. Therefore, at least in our observation, keeping the Halo up still serves as a deterrent and helps reduce seed consumption -- and thus cuts refill rates and costs. If this wasn't the case, we would have to consider ending Magic Halo production and quit selling the device. We hope it never comes to that.

So the question becomes, how did this happen, after years of 100% HOSP-free feeding? It is impossible to know without a university taking up the cause with scientific studies. But the most plausible theory has to do with leaving the feeders up through Summer (year-round). It would seem likely that HOSP juveniles nesting nearby (20 chicks avg per year per pair) commandeered our gardens in Spring, making it their territory and regular source of food. As first year birds, they started out immune to lines (wires), as shown in the original U of Neb studies. As the season went on, continued adaptation followed. Given this observation, we had to update our disclaimer to further emphasize the issue of juveniles and that Halos are best viewed as an adult HOSP deterrent, not "-proof" though many folks continue with feedback that it is (and it was for us, until this year).

We hope this helps our customers understand, and to continue using their Magic Halo as just one tool in the toolbox in the effort to reduce or eliminate HOSP from their feeders. Each year, we offer a new survey in order to keep efficacy data rolling in, so please participate as much as you can. Our surveys do not require any personal info and are 100% safe and secure. If you haven't already, please take the 2021 Survey. Written feedback (admin@magichalo.org) with attached photos of your feeding setup is also very much appreciated, and will be considered for this blog. As always, let us know your experiences using the Magic Halo!

Hanging hardware will rust or tarnish (but not to worry)

We've had customer concerns regarding rust overtaking the Halo's hanging wire clips. At this time, there isn't much we can do about this issue. Other than their aesthetic appearance, functionality is not effected nor is it for other parts. This clip is the highest quality and most suited to our purpose of hanging weighted wires from the Halo, but it is chrome plated steel. We are not able to find a commercially available, weather-proof clip that is similarly sized and designed.

That said, if any of you are aware of a clip that you think could work, and maintain its appearance through the elements over years time, please email us at admin@magichalo.org with a link. We are open to trying new components and offering additional options if the demand is there. Until then, we maintain our 3 year warranty on all parts of our Magic Halos regardless of location and weather conditions -- though we expect them to last longer even with rust discoloration.

Strap Hanger Safety Inspection

We saw it recently where the strap hanger on the Magic Halo's crossbar began to loosen, with one or both pan head screws lifting up from the threads. We think this is extremely rare, but are asking our customers (especially long time users ~2018) -- to periodically inspect this part of the Halo to ensure it is snugged properly. It is important because we don't want to worry about feeders crashing to the ground; many are delicately made and could be damaged in a fall.

Though an isolated event, it can't hurt to check yours just to make sure. If at all loose, snug both screws down with a philips head screwdriver, being careful not to over-tighten. If you want to doubly insure good purchase (thread security), you can also remove the strap completely and inject a couple of drops of your favorite super glue into both screw holes. This will solidify the threads that are in there. Wait a few hours and then re-install the strap. The same process can be applied to the feeder hook on the opposite side, should any thread instability be detected; this part is easily checked/unscrewed with a counter-clockwise twist. Email us with any questions: admin@magichalo.org

Possible leveling procedure for your Magic Halo

Due to loose tolerances in the mfg process of the hook and strap hanger used to hang your Magic Halo on a shepherds hook, it may not hang as level as it should (parallel with the ground). This is something we have little control over, but we are working on a permanent fix for all new Halos going forward.

The easiest workaround may be turning the Halo's feeder hook in a counter-clockwise direction, starting with an approx 1/8 turn. You can also try clockwise, IF there's room to tighten it. If this fails to correct it, try a 1/4 turn, and finally even a half turn (hook opening to the opposite direction).

One of these positions along the way should level off your Magic Halo. It will never hang perfectly level, but should get it close enough. If it is off by more than a few degrees and won't correct regardless, email us a photo so we can develop a fix for you: admin@magichalo.org

Above: The Magic Halo feeder hook (chrome "Classic" model shown). This applies to both "Classic" and "Deluxe" models. Vinyl tip was introduced as a later modification (see HERE).

New Instructional Video: Hanging Wire Extenders

The hanger on some tube feeder models is so long that the lowest feeding station(s) ends up at the lowest point of your Magic Halo's hanging wires. If you find HOSP are breaching below the weights (hex nuts) because of this, you may consider adding 6"-12" wire extenders.

If you require a custom length, simply select CUSTOM LENGTH (OPTIONAL) instead, and specify the inches or feet required. These are quickly installed by inserting 1.5" of each wire end through each of your existing hex nut weights (4-6), and twisting them like a wire tie. The below brief video demonstrates the procedure on a hanging wire in our shop. It is CAPTIONS ONLY, there is no audio:

Mod #2 Announced: Brome 30"+ Length Feeders

Extra long tube feeders were not originally considered when we started building Magic Halos in Jan 2018, given the distance from the halo to the lowest feeding station(s). This may negate any benefit of the "hoop" device itself. Also, the weighted ends of the hanging wires may fall at or above the lowest feeding station(s), making the Magic Halo less or ineffective overall.

That said, we haven't heard from any of our customers about the original 30" hanging wires being a problem for them, and we assume some are using these feeders. Regardless, we have decided to make wire extensions a free modification for users of extra long feeders, e.g. Brome Squirrel Solution 200 and Classic/Finch models. See graphic to the right.

For maximum HOSP (House Sparrow) deterrence, said wire ends/nuts should be at least 6" inches below -- preferably more. If yours do not, email us at: admin@magichalo.org for extensions that you simply twist tie through each nut. Extensions and shipping are both FREE as long as you include a photo of your feeder w/halo. Note that as of 2019, all new halo orders have no-price difference with the option of 38" hanging wires, or even longer by special request.

Our 1st modification involved squirrel-proofing; we had a customer whose feeder disconnected from the hook when a squirrel climbed on top of the Halo and launched off upon being spooked. This pushed the crossbar down vertically, causing the feeder to slide off the hook's end. Since that time, all new Magic Halos come with a vinyl tip which will act as a "brake" to prevent that from happening. See our Autumn 2019 newsletter for details including a photo.

Simple modification guards against feeder disconnect

Squirrel-proofing was not really considered when we started building Magic Halos in Jan 2018. However, we just heard from a customer that their feeder disconnected from the hook as a result. A squirrel climbed on top of the Halo, then launched off when spooked. This pushed the crossbar down vertically, causing the feeder to slide off the hook's end. Since that time, all new Magic Halos come with a vinyl tip which will act as a "brake" to prevent that from happening.

If you are having this issue, let us know at: admin@magichalo.org