Bee guard for nectar feeder

A selective nectar dispensing system for use with a bird feeder having a base defining an interior side and an exterior side, a nectar reservoir, and at least one feeding port, the nectar dispensing system comprising:

• a pivot assembly comprising a joint pivotally mounted to the interior side of the base and operable between a closed blocking position and an open feeding position;
• the pivot assembly including a feeding port restricting portion having a first arm extending therefrom to said joint, the feeding port restricting portion shaped to substantially fit within the at least one feeding port;
• a counterweight having a mass selected to both permit a feeding bird to move the restricting portion towards the open feeding position and to prevent movement of the restricting portion by an insect, the counterweight normally biasing the feeding port restricting portion to the closed blocking position and including a second arm extending therefrom to said joint.

A bird feeder comprising:

• a base defining an interior side and an exterior side and having at least one feeding port;
• a nectar reservoir removably connected to the base;
• a pivot assembly pivotally mounted to the interior side of the base having at one end a counterweight and at a second end a feeding port restricting portion operable between a closed blocking position and an open feeding position, the counterweight normally biasing the restricting portion to the closed blocking position and having a mass selected to both permit a feeding bird to move the restricting portion towards the open feeding position and to prevent movement of the restricting portion by an insect, thus providing selective access to the feeding port.