Patent ID: 7743732

Claim:
A bird feeder comprising: a first container having a top side, a bottom side and an interior wherein liquid may be stored in the interior of the first container; an opening at the bottom of the first container; a secondary container having a top side and a bottom side and an interior wherein the secondary container is located near the bottom of the first container wherein the secondary container has an opening at the top side; a shaft in the form of a non-tapering tube having an upper opening spaced above said opening of the first container and the upper end spaced from the interior wall of said first container and having a bottom opening wherein the shaft extends from the interior of the first container out through the bottom of the first container wherein the shaft has a hollow interior which may allow the liquid to pass from the interior of the first container into the interior of the secondary container and wherein the secondary container moves vertically along the shaft with respect to the first container from a first position to a second position wherein the first position allows the flow of liquid from the first container through the shaft into the secondary container and wherein the second position prohibits the flow of the liquid from the first container to the secondary container; and a stationary plug located within the secondary container wherein the stationary plug moves vertically with respect to the first container while remaining stationary with respect to the secondary container and wherein the stationary plug substantially covers the bottom opening of the hollow shaft creating a liquid-tight seal while the secondary container is in the second position thereby preventing the liquid from the interior of the first container from entering the interior of the secondary container through the shaft.