# US 5,704,312 A · Woodpecker feeder

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- Number: US 5,704,312 A
- Document ID: US5704312A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/405,754
- Filed: 1995-03-20
- Granted: 1998-01-06
- Earliest claimed: 1995-03-20
- Inventors: William Achard Fintel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704312A

## CPC

- A01K 39/0106: {for solid feed, e.g. grit-cake holders (licking-stone holders for stock or game A01K5/015)}
- A01K 39/0113: {with means to prevent other animals or insects, e.g. squirrels or ants, from eating also}
- A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS

## Abstract

Embodiments of a new woodpecker feeder are disclosed, each effectively preventing undesirable pest birds and squirrels from feeding yet allowing woodpeckers to feed by providing slotted access to the feed that is 6-12 mm. wide and more than 50 mm. in length and further by including a hard textured coating to dissuade squirrels from feeding. The method of feeding woodpeckers by restricting access to the food source based on the bill size and tongue length of the woodpecker as opposed to the pest birds is also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A woodpecker feeder including:
(a) a first member having an inner surface and an external surface;
(b) a second member, parallel to said first member, having an inner surface and an external surface;
(c) means for separating the inner surface of said first member from the inner surface of said second member wherein the distance between the inner surface of said first member and the inner surface of said second member is 6-12 mm.;
(d) means for connecting the inner surface of said first member and the inner surface of said second member so as to form an extended slot between said first member and said second member, said slot having a length of at least 5 cm.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The woodpecker feeder as set forth in claim 1 further comprising means for suspending said feeder connected to said woodpecker feeder.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The woodpecker feeder as set forth in Claim 1, further comprising the external surfaces of said first and second members having a coating of a hard textured material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The woodpecker feeder as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slot has a depth of at least 8 cm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The woodpecker feeder as set forth in claim 1 wherein the distance between the inner surfaces of said first and second members is 7-10 mm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The woodpecker feeder as set forth in claim 1 further comprising means for holding bird feed attached to the inner surface of said first member within said woodpecker feeder.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The woodpecker feeder as set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least one cupped member fastened to the inner surface of said first member and suitable for holding non-sticking bird feed.

### Claim 8

A woodpecker feeder suitable for holding bird feed including a body having a slot, accessible on at least one end of the slot on the exterior of the feeder, said slot having the following dimensions:
(a) width of 6-12 mm.
(b) length of greater than 5 cm.
(c) depth of at least 5 cm. and less than 15 cm.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The woodpecker feeder as set forth in claim 8 wherein said slot is accessible at both ends of the slot and the depth is at least 8 cm.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The woodpecker feeder as set forth in claim 8 wherein said slot is accessible at only one end of the slot and the depth is less than 8 cm.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The woodpecker feeder as set forth in claim 8 wherein said slot has a width of 7-10 mm.

### Claim 12

A method for feeding woodpeckers comprising placing feed suitable for woodpeckers in a woodpecker feeder such that substantially no part of said woodpecker feeder is inaccessible to a woodpecker having a combination bill and tongue length of 5-10 cm, said feeder comprising: an exterior body having a slot, accessible at at least one end of the slot on the exterior of the feeder and suitable for a woodpecker to fit its bill within, said slot having the following dimensions: (i) width of 6-12 mm; (ii) length of greater than 5 cm; and (iii) depth of at least 5-15 cm.

### Claim 13

A method of feeding woodpeckers set forth in claim No. 12 wherein said food suitable for woodpeckers is placed more than 19 mm. within said slot of said woodpecker feeder.

### Claim 14

A method for feeding woodpeckers set forth in claim No. 12 wherein the body of the feeder has an external surface including a hard textured material.