Droll Yankees YF Flipper Bird Feeder

Now, for the fun stuff: The birdfeeder features an encased motor and rechargeable (and replaceable) batteries. When you receive the feeder, simply charge the batteries overnight, hang the feeder from its looped bail wire, and prepare to be amazed (and entertained!). The motor is connected to the weight activated perch ring--birds will not set it off, even larger species like woodpeckers and cardinals. But the minute a squirrel hops onto the perch, the motor is triggered and the feeder begins spinning, taking the squirrel for a whirl before it loses its grip and is thrown (gently) from the perch. It's a humanitarian way to deal with persistent squirrels--there are no shocks or poisons to hurt them, simply a wild ride that they won't be inclined to repeat. Birds are free to eat without disruption, and your family will get a kick out of watching squirrels go for their rides. There's a lifetime warranty on the feeder body and a one-year warranty on the motor and battery charger. --Ariel Meadow Stallings

I'm pretty cheap, but the Droll Yankee Co. seems to have a good reputation so I wasn't too reluctant to part with the bucks for this feeder. My first impression was that it is a lot larger than I expected and seemed to be sturdier than most feeders.

I plugged it in and let it charge overnight (it charges like a power screwdriver), filled it with black-oil sunflower and hung it in my favorite bird feeder tree the next morning. My Carolina-chickadees and Cardinals were feeding within thirty minutes, Mr.Squirrel made his first attempt after about an hour. There is really no way I can describe what followed. Let's just say I have some really freaked out squirrels around my house.

I have had the feeder up for over a month, the squirrels have been forced to feed from the spilled seed on the ground and the feeder is still operating from the original charge.

This feeder is is worth every penny and then some. I wish I could give it more than five stars.


The last bird feeder you'll ever need to buy!   December 19, 2001
Marc Andonian (Bryn Mawr, PA USA)
31 out of 31 found this review helpful

Well, I've had many "squirrel-proof" bird feeders over the last 5 years - each promising to defeat our furry four-footed friends - and each only moderately successful! When I saw the Yankee Flipper video - I flipped...could it be that I found the last bird feeder I'll ever need to buy? YES - For over the last year - I've been very pleased with this bird feeder. It has not been successfully accessed by the squirrels - despite lots of attempts - and the associated gymnastics! But the birds? They don't have a problem unless two morning doves land on the same side at the same time...then...well that's another story. This is an exceptional product concept - well built and executed.
You do need to charge its internal battery 2X a year - but that's it. In the next generation, I'd probably redesign how the cord is placed in the charger receptical - but that is it. An outstanding product - and on amazon for a great price! I paid almost $100 for it at my local bird store - but even at that price - it is great. I will be buying these to replace my other feeders as they wear out (squirrels manage to eat their way through cages, plastic and even metal on some of the other feeders) - but not the Yankee Flipper. A GREAT product! You will NOT be sorry!


You Will Love This Feeder!   January 27, 2001
Jack Beery (Canandaigua, New York USA)
41 out of 43 found this review helpful

We recently purchased the Yankee Flipper bird feeder and love it. So do the birds!

The feeder came completely set up; there was no assembly to do. Amazon had put the Flipper box into a larger box for shipping. It came in excellent shape.

As advertised, the Nicad batteries were completely discharged. Thus step one is to charge the batteries overnight.

How It Works: The ring that the birds sit on will not deflect with the weight of a bird. Bigger birds do not trip the mechanism; we've even had a red-bellied woodpecker taking sunflower seeds from the feeder. But when excessive weight is on the ring it tilts down, turns on the motor and starts the ring turning. Then the motor deactivates when the weight is off the ring.

There are two screws that you can tighten to prevent the mechanism from tilting (thus turning on). I recommend you use these when the unit is in the charge cycle.

The ports that the birds take seeds from are well designed and the birds can eat to the last seed without any problem.

When looking at the picture of the feeder, I thought it would be better if the feeder had more feeding ports. Now that we have the feeder, I think the ports only on the bottom are better. I let the feeder get pretty well empty before I refill it.

After filling the feeder two or three times I found it useful to turn the feeder over and dump out the dust and foreign particles that are in the seed. We've attached an S hook to the tree with a plastic tie wrap which has made it convenient to lift off the feeder to dump and refill.

Regarding the mechanism: I recommend that for the first few days when the feeder is out, keep the lock down screws turned to prevent rotation. Then the mechanism will not turn on when a squirrel jumps on the feeder. After you see some squirrels on the feeder, loosen the screws and watch the action!

If you like feeding the birds and agitating the squirrels, you will love this feeder.


Truth in Advertising: Yankee Flipper Delivers   August 27, 2001
24 out of 24 found this review helpful

This is the first feeder I've found that is truly squirrel-proof. It works as promised, provides birds with squirrel-free dining, and people with uninterrupted bird-viewing. Now, if someone will make a feeder that discourages vast hordes of white wing doves, I'll be set. :) A few points about the feeder: The length of time the batteries hold a charge is affected by temperature extremes. In central Texas, where summer temperatures are often triple-digit, I've found the batteries will hold a charge for a week to ten days. The hotter it is outdoors (or, in winter, the colder), the less time between recharges. A recharge requires 24 hours. For those concerned about the feeder's motorized mechanism slinging squirrels at great force, not to worry. The spinning action doesn't actually sling the squirrels off the feeder, it just takes them for a ride they aren't expecting and don't particularly enjoy. They aren't slung off, they jump off. Always. :) According to the feeder's instruction booklet, red squirrels and chipmunks do not weigh enough to activate the motor; for anyone seeking to discourage those particular animals, this feeder will not be effective. This is a beautifully-designed feeder, well worth the expense. If you are like me, and have been wasting money on every new "squirrel-proof" feeder that comes on the market, your search is over. The Yankee Flipper will not disappoint.


For the Birds!   February 10, 2001
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

We have a love/hate relationship with the squirrels. My husband admires how smart they are. I hate how they foil every attempt to keep them out of the bird feeders.

Our yard used to be "taken over" by squirrels. Our squirrels bullied the birds, even chased them away. We used to put the more expensive foods out for the birds, but stopped when we realized the birds weren't getting any food at all! We tried every "squirrel proof" feeder on the market, but the furry little thieves ended up getting the food anyway.

Now that we own the Yankee Flipper, the birds eat like kings and the squirrels only get the crumbs. Occassionally they still try to get on the feeder, but a few spins cures them everythime. Now the expensive food gets eaten by the birds, and the squirrels have moved on to more accessible feeders in our neighbors yards.

Now if I could just do something about my husband who feels so sorry for the squirrels that he has started giving them their own stash of food!