Tristan Christianson

Contego Wild Bird Feeder, Concept, Industrial Design, Project Development, 2012. The Contego is an outdoor wild bird feeder purposed to keep seed contained and shielded from squirrel intrusion. Comprised of a metal inner silo and outer vertical sliding shell with an unstable umbrella dome, the Contego wild bird feeder uses a method similar to a shock abosorber where a spring system gives way under a squirrel’s hanging weight to slip the outer shell down to block the nine bird feeder ports from intrusion. Most wild bird feeders seek to create cages or domes around the feeding silo. The Contego’s design is a cleaner, more contemporary take on outdoor feeders using epoxy-finshed, cold-rolled steel, ABS and TPE components to make this as durable and lasting a deisgn as possible. Although no bird feeder can be completely squirrel-proofed, this feeder seeks to create an unstable and confusing scenario where the squirrel would be consistently frustrated attempt after attempt.