The 5 Best Bird Feeders 2022 Reviewed by BirdFeederist

If you are planning to buy a bird feeder, why not buy the best bird feeder? Most people simply spread seeds on the ground. However, it is not a good way to feed the birds because maximum food becomes wasted by spreading it on the ground and it minimizes the purpose of the feeding. That is why we always recommend you to buy the best bird feeders.

Now the problem is that you can’t just buy any random feeder available online. There are a lot of feeders available, all manufacturers are saying that their feeder is best, but don’t worry! We are here to rescue.  Our list will help you decide better.

* We have Spent hours in finding and researching these feeders, all feeders are best value for your money.

Quick Pick

We have listed the best bird feeders that look beautiful and help you attract a maximum number of birds.

If you want to attract hummingbirds, you should know that they don’t prefer seeds but love to drink sugary water. So there are different types of feeders designed to attract them.

Below is a list of the feeders which can be universally used for seed-loving birds. We have listed the best in different price ranges to help you buy a perfect feeder within your budget.

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List of Best Bird Feeders for the Year 2022

1. Droll Yankees YF-M Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder

Droll Yankees bird feeder came top on the list with its unique features compared to all the other bird feeders. The base and cap of this feeder are made up of heavy-duty metal material compared to all other bird feeders on the list. When we talk about the seed tube material, it’s a UV-stabilized polycarbonate material that doesn’t fade. This feeder has four feeding ports to provide food to four birds at a time. The metal perches of this feeder offer maximum comfort to the birds during feeding. You can easily attract various birds using this feeder, which includes chickadees, finches, cardinals, sparrows, woodpeckers, wrens, starlings, jays, and cardinals. Let’s see some other features of this unique feeder.

Squirrel-proof       

It is a squirrel-proof feeder to protect the seeds from many unwanted audiences. The spinning base of this feeder starts spinning under the weight of squirrels and many other unwanted wild birds.

Seed recommendations

The ports of this feeder are perfectly designed for a variety of seeds. You can easily use any kind of seeds in this feeder. These seeds include peanut chunks, safflower seeds, sunflower seeds, and cracked corn as well. These are the favorite seeds of many birds. This feeder can also be used for sunflower seeds.

Capacity

This bird feeder can easily hold 5 pounds of seeds. So you don’t need to make frequent refills. The internal baffle system of this feeder allows the seeds to flow towards all the ports equally.

Dimension and weight

It has dimensions of 8.5 x 8.5 x 28.5 inches and is 5 pounds in weight.

                                               Here are some Pros & Cons of this Product

2. Squirrel Buster Plus Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder    

squirrel buster plus bird feeder comes second in the list due to its perfect features in its price range. It’s a perfect durable design for the rest of your life. This feeder is specially designed to attract the northern cardinal with a separate cardinal ring. But you can also use it for many other birds as well. View more feeders specially designed for cardinals. The adjustable weight feature of this feeder allows you to control the bird species on your feeder. You can easily adjust the weight accordingly to which species you want to feed. You can simply install this feeder in your garden without any kind of special tool. The six feeding ports of this feeder allow six birds at a time to feed on the feeder. Let’s see some other features of this feeder.

Squirrel-proof

It basically comes with a preinstalled squirrel baffle to protect the seeds from the squirrels. The shroud of this feeder can automatically close when it faces any adult’s squirrel weight. So your seeds are protected from any adult squirrel.

Seed ventilation system                  

The seed ventilation system of this feeder can keep the seeds fresh in the feeder for a long time. You don’t need to check the seeds regularly.

Chew-proof material

The special chew-proof RoxResin material is used in this feeder, especially for parts exposed to the squirrels.

Capacity

This feeder can hold up to 5.1 pounds of seeds. It’s a perfect capacity for any seed feeder. You don’t need to fill it again and again with this capacity.

Dimension and weight

It has the dimensions of 6 x 6 x 23 inches and is 3.6 pounds in weight.

                                               Here are some Pros & Cons of this Product

3. Squirrel Buster Classic Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder

Squirrel buster’s classic bird feeder comes on the list with great features in this price range. It’s a perfect durable feeder for your whole life. Four birds can feed on this feeder at a time due to its four feeding ports. You can easily install this feeder in your garden without any special tool. It’s a good universal design to attract the maximum number of birds in the garden. You can easily attract cardinals, jays, chickadees, finches, and many other birds. Let’s see other properties of this feeder.

Squirrel-proof

This is a good squirrel-proof design to protect the seeds from unwanted audiences. The shroud of this feeder automatically closed when the adult squirrel tries to reach the seeds.

Chew proof

The chew-proof material of this feeder makes it perfect to use in squirrel areas. Especially the squirrel exposed parts are made with chew-proof material.

Seed ventilation system

The seed ventilation system of this feeder can keep the seeds fresh for a long time inside the feeder. You don’t need to check the seeds again and again.

Capacity

The capacity of this feeder is 2.4 pounds, which is good enough to handle the little crowded areas.

Dimension and weight

It has the dimensions of 4 x 4 x 21 inches and is 2.6 pounds in weight.

                                              Here are some Pros & Cons of this Product

4. Squirrel Buster Standard Squirrel-proof Bird Feeder

A squirrel Buster Standard bird feeder by the Brome is again on the list due to their large variety of feeders with perfect features in different price ranges. This is another good feeder by the broom for your whole life. All the feeders by the Brome are made up of durable material. Make sure all the around spaces of the feeder are clear to make it safer for the birds. It has four metal perches with four ports that can feed the four birds at a time. Moreover, the adjustable weight feature of this feeder enables you to control the number of birds on the feeder. Let’s see some other features of this feeder.

Squirrel-proof

It is a squirrel-proof bird feeder that can protect the seeds from unwanted audiences. You can easily use this feeder in your garden.

Chew proof

It is made up of chew-proof material. Especially, those parts are exposed to the squirrels.

Seed ventilation system

The seed ventilation system of this bird feeder can protect your seeds for the maximum time inside the feeder. You don’t need to check the seeds again and again.

Capacity

It has a capacity of 1.3 pounds, which is a little bit low. It’s a good capacity feeder for little warmer areas. So you have in mind to refill the feeder early.

Dimension and weight

It has a dimension of 5 x 5 x 13.25 inches and is 1.6 pounds in weight.

                                              Here are some Pros & Cons of this Product

5. Window Bird Feeder

This is a little different from other tube-like bird feeders. It is a special house-type feeder with a transparent material to enjoy the birds. As clear from the name as well, this is almost like a window feeder. You can simply set it in front of your window to enjoy the birds from a minimal distance. This feeder is great for different birds like cardinals, finches, blue jays, and many other wild birds. This special feeder comes with many accessories to easily adjust it with the window. The drain holes and three suction cups make it very easy to set them. Let’s see some other features of this special design.

Universal design

It is a universal design and can be used in any season. The drainage holes in this special design are perfect for keeping your seeds dry. The removable tray and the whole feeder both have drainage holes.

Removable tray

The removable tray of this feeder makes it very easy to clean and refill. You can easily refill this feeder with a large seed capacity.

Comfortable

The comfortable design of this feeder makes it very easy for the birds to feed. The padded grip perch of this design is perfect for the birds. Birds can easily go inside the feeder to feed comfortably.

Dimension and weight

It has a dimension of 12 x 4 x 5 inches and is 1 pound in weight.

                                               Here are some Pros & Cons of this Product

History of Bird Feeders and birdbaths

It is thought that the bird feeders were introduced when humans started living in the villages. But nowadays many people living in the cities also want different types of birds in their garden. When we talk about the different birds, some are easy to attract as compared to others. It is said that birds attack crops in search of food and eventually destroy them. So people wanted a long-term solution to this problem and learned how they can attract the birds to their gardens to save the crops.

Bird Baths History

The first and the most important thing to attract birds is the birdbaths. This can also be considered a bird feeder to provide the water source in the garden. You can easily choose any surface for this, which can hold the water. Birds like to drink and bathe from these surfaces. The first recorded birdbath is introduced in the 1840s when Pulham and sons company developed the first bath. This company is known for making many outdoor ornaments. Today there are many styles of birdbaths available.

Bird Feeder History

Henry David Thoreau used the very first bird feeder in the United States in 1945. He started feeding the birds on Walden Pond. The first feeder was for the Hummingbirds. But today, there are plenty of feeders available which can be used to attract any kind of bird. These feeders include tube feeders, platform feeders, window feeders, and Nyjer feeders. The key to using the bird feeders is to keep the squirrels away from the feeder. The next thing is the placement of these feeders. You need to choose a perfect location near the shrubs and trees. This will be perfect for providing cover to the birds.

Homemade Bird Feeders

Making a special homemade feeder is a very creative and fun thing to do. Especially for the kids to explore nature through a bird feeder. Many different techniques can help you make a perfect homemade feeder, from a simple to a stylish homemade bird feeder. You can simply use the different available materials in your home for this purpose. Let’s see different techniques to make a perfect bird feeder at home.

But whatever feeder you are going to make, you need to concentrate on the below steps before starting the work.

• Make sure to read all the instructions to create a particular feeder.
• Make sure you have all the necessary items to make this feeder.
• Cover all the work surfaces with newspaper or any other paper or cloth.
• Try to work outside to prevent any kind of mess in the room.

1. Pine Cone Bird Feeder

This is a very common and easily made bird feeder for the kids. It is one of the most natural bird feeders to make at home. The very first step is to gather the pine cones from your yard and tie them from above. Pine cones are very sticky and messy. So this step helps you to control the Pinecone easily. After that, you need to use a butter knife on the surface of the pine cone. Now you can roll the Pinecone on the birdseed bowl or any other thing like that. After that, you can hang the pine cone to any high surface or with a tree or porch.

2. Bagel Bird Feeder

The second technique to make the bird feeder at home involves the use of a stable bagel. The first step is about the cutting of the bagel. Make sure to cut the bagel halfway in length. You can secure it with any kind of ribbon or string through the hole. If your child spreads the peanut butter or cooking fat over the bagel, you can simply dredge it through the bird seeds. Your bagel bird feeder is ready. Hang it in the garden.

3. Cereal Bird Feeder       

You can use any stable round cereal to make this feeder. You need to take a string and tie a knot at one end. Make sure this end is big enough to ensure the safety of the cereal. Put a circled-shaped seed onto the string. You can tie both ends and attach them to any tree or porch when the string is full.

 

4. Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder

This is an excellent technique to make the feeder from reusable material. You can save some empty toilet paper and towel rolls for this purpose. The first step is to roll a long string around the empty toilet paper and bind both strings’ ends. If you smear the peanut butter all over the toilet paper roll surface, you can simply roll it through bird seeds.

 

5. Orange Half-Bird Feeder

You can simply use the oranges for this purpose. You just need to use the orange peel to make a perfect hanging boat for the birds. The first step is to cut the orange into two equal hemisphere parts. Then clean out all the fruit from the orange. Make sure to don’t tear the rind. Make a tiny hole in both spheres right across the diameter. Now take a string and pass through these holes and hang it with the tree or pole. You can fill the orange peel with different types of seeds to attract the different birds.

6. Milk Carton Bird Feeder

Milk Carton is more like a stylish and temporary feeder, a perfect feeder for the kids to decorate. Your child can also decorate them with different types of stylish paper. For this purpose, take a milk carton and clean it thoroughly. Now make a hole in the carton, so the birds can easily pass through it. Make another little hole at the top of the milk carton and pass a string through it. Tie this string tightly with any pole or tree. Make sure the milk bird carton is dry completely before filling and hanging.

Different Types of Professional Bird Feeders

Different types of professional bird feeders can be used for multiple purposes in the garden. You can easily observe that some species also prefer a particular type of feeder compared to other feeders. The different feeders include tray feeders, hopper feeders, window feeders, tube feeders, nyjer feeders, and suet feeders. Whatever feeder you are going to use, make sure it fulfills all the basic needs of the birding. Let’s see these feeders separately to know more about them.

1. Tray Feeders

Tray feeders are also known as platform feeders due to their platform shape. You can easily attract a variety of birds using this feeder in your garden. These birds include pigeons, starlings, grosbeaks, house sparrows, and native sparrows. There is a little disadvantage of this feeder in that they don’t provide any type of protection in rainy or snowy weather. The wet birds can easily wet the seeds as well. But some tray feeders also have special holes for the drainage system. So make sure to provide only a small quantity of the seeds in the feeder to prevent any kind of smell.

These feeders also have a little protection against the squirrels and many other unwanted audiences. You can place these feeders at any location according to the birds you want to attract. For example, if you place the feeder near the ground, it will attract the ground-feeding birds.

2. Hopper Feeders

The second professional feeders are the hopper or house-type feeders. These types of feeders are mostly designed to protect the seeds from bad weather. You can attract various birds through this feeder, including the finches, Blue Jays, cardinals, buntings, grosbeaks, sparrows, chickadees, and titmice. These types of feeders usually have a large capacity that can hold the maximum amount of seeds. But it can be dangerous for the birds if the seeds got wet. You need a baffle-type squirrel-proof system to prevent them from squirrels. But these types of feeders are a little harder to clean as compared to other feeders.

3. Window Feeders

Window feeders are usually small in size and can be attached to the windows through suction cups. These feeders can attract finches, chickadees, titmice, and some types of sparrows as well. This can be a perfect feeder for the close-up views of the birds from the window. But there is no proper ventilation system in these birds to keep the seeds fresh. So make sure to check these feeders regularly if you have a window feeder. You can easily clean and refill the window feeders due to their wider design.

4. Tube Feeders

Tube feeders are the perfect squirrel-proof feeders with the proper ventilation system. Their shroud automatically closed when the feeder faces an adult squirrel weight. These birds can attract a variety of birds depending upon the size of their perches. These birds include sparrows, grosbeaks, chickadees, titmice, and finches. The larger species usually can’t feed on the tube feeders. The ports of these feeders are perfectly designed to feed the seed-loving birds. You can offer the different seeds depending upon the size of the ports. Sometimes the seeds below the level of feeding ports create mold in the feeder. So you can simply block the area below the feeding ports. Make sure to clean out these feeders regularly to prevent the birds from any kind of serious infection.

5. Nyjer Feeders

Nyjer feeders are specially designed to attract American goldfinches, pine siskins, and Common Redpolls. These feeders can have two different styles, like tube feeders or thistle socks. The seeds in the thistle socks can easily be wet. So make sure to don’t fill this feeder at one time. The nyjer seeds are perfect for these types of feeders. Moreover, the squirrels are usually not attracted to the nyjer seeds.

6. Suet Feeders

The last type of professional feeder is suet feeders. A suet feeder can be made using mesh onion, constructed wire mesh, or plastic coated wire mesh. You can nail this feeder with the tree trunk or fixed it to a side of the hopper feeder. These feeders can attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, jays, and starling. The design of this feeder forces the birds to hand upside down during feeding. Some people prefer metal suet feeders. But people need to make sure the bird’s tongues are not stuck with the metal. Make sure to clean your suet feeder regularly to prevent the birds from any infection.

How to keep bird seeds dry in the rain?

Keeping the bird seeds dry in the rainy season is an important task to prevent the birds from danger. The dry seeds are the perfect healthy and nutritious source of food for the birds. You can use different techniques to keep the seeds dry in the rainy season. But first, let’s see some problems with the wet seeds.

The wet bird seeds are not just unpleasant for the birds; they are also causing many health issues for the birds.

• The first thing is the unpleasant smell of wet birds. The birds usually don’t like the feeders which contain wet seeds. The strong unpleasant smells also attract unwanted audiences like mice, rats, raccoons, and bears.
• Wet seeds can get the mold quickly as compared to dry seeds. Moreover, the wet seeds spoil quickly. The molded seeds can be responsible for the growth of bacteria. The presence of a molded feeder in the garden prevents the birds from visiting other food sources.
• These types of seeds include the sunflower seeds and Nyjer seeds. When the oily seeds got wet, they build a stickiness, which is very bad for the birds and feeders. This thing can block the feeder ports and makes it difficult for the birds to reach the seeds.
• The wet seeds start sprouting quickly as compared to dry seeds. Birds don’t like sprout seeds, so these types of seeds are just wasted. This can also affect the growth of the plants in your garden.     

You can simply follow these tips to keep the seeds dry.

1. Use Special feeders

The first and the most important thing to keep the seeds dry in the feeders is the special type of feeders, which has a proper drainage system. You need to buy a feeder with a good sturdy roof to cover the seeds to prevent them from wetting. Ensure the feeder has a good ventilation system, so the water approaching the seeds can dry quickly. Usually, the mesh trays or sides are ideal for this purpose.

2. Choose a Good Feeder Location

Feeder location can also play the role of keeping your seeds fresh and dry in your feeder. You can simply hang a feeder below a roof to prevent it from rain and snowy weather. Many people also place their feeders under the thick trees for this purpose. Wherever you want to hang your feeder, just make sure it is high enough that the squirrels and other unwanted audiences do not reach there. Make sure to avoid those areas where you think that the rain and snow can blow into the feeder.

3. Use Feeder Baffles

There are some special feeder baffles available that can be used for making the feeder squirrel-proof. But these baffles also protect the feeders from the rain and snow as well. You can simply put the baffle near to the feeder so that you can get the maximum benefits of the baffle. But make sure the birds can easily reach the seeds. A low baffle setting can also prevent the seeds from larger wild birds.

4. Add Drainage System

Some feeders don’t have proper drainage systems. So the water is just collected at their base. For these types of feeders, you can simply make a hole in the base of this feeder. You can simply make some more holes in the feeder for good drainage.

5. Changing Food

You can simply choose the best food for the birds in the garden, so the birds can quickly empty the feeder. This type of food is perfect, even in wet areas as well. You can also offer the best fruit and whole nuts to the birds to attract a wider range of birds. Because when the maximum number of birds is attracted to the feeder, your feeder will empty quickly.

6. Adjust Feeding

You can also choose a smaller feeder that will empty quickly. So when the rain comes, there are no seeds in the feeder. Moreover, you always have in mind to refill the feeder in an hour in this way. This is a good way to provide fresh seeds to the birds.

7. Dry the Feeders

Make sure to dry your feeder whenever you refill your feeder. Don’t put the seeds in the wet feeder. You can simply wipe down the feeder with the clothes before each refilling. This is a good way to keep the feeder clean for a longer period.

8. Seed Storage

Make sure to store the seeds in a dry location to prevent the seeds from wetting. An airtight container can be perfect for this purpose. This is a perfect location to prevent the seeds from moisture. Moreover, this will also keep the rats, moths, insects, and many other unwanted audiences away.

Which is the Perfect Time to feed the Garden Birds?

You can feed the birds depending upon the weather and many other factors. You can feed the birds in autumn, winter, summer, and spring, depending upon the bird’s needs in these particular seasons. So we can’t just say that a specific time is important to feed the birds. Yes, there is some period when the maximum number of birds travel in different areas to search for food. But some species are always in your areas in search of food.  So make sure to provide a sufficient quantity of food to the birds in each season. Let’s see different types of bird food depending upon the season.

1. Autumn and Winter

This is the time when you need to feed the birds regularly. Make sure your feeder is always full for the birds. Moreover, a good drinking water source is also perfect for the birds this season. You can feed two times in this weather. First time in the morning and the second time in the early afternoon. Birds need a lot of energy to survive during the winter season. Make sure the seeds are fresh and of good quality. When a routine is established, make sure to maintain this throughout the season.

2. Spring and Summer          

The summer season is also important for birds because birds need a lot of protein during these days. You can choose any one species to feed during these days. The perfect food to use these days can be black sunflower, pinhead oatmeal, soaked sultanas, raisins, and currants. You can also use good food mixtures without the peanut. Moreover, don’t use fat and bread to prevent the birds from any kind of harm. You need to take special care of your food during the summer.

3. Natural Food Shortage

When natural food is shorted in your area, this is a good time to feed the birds with the bird feeders. Sometimes the birds also take the food to their nests during this season. So you can also offer food for the young chicks during this food shortage season in your area.

Which factors affect the bird’s feeding?

There is nothing more excited and joyful for people than seeing many birds on their feeders. But it’s not in the people’s control to maximize the birds in their areas. It mainly depends upon some factors. Let’s see these factors.

1. Migration                                            

The first important factor is the bird’s migration. Because many birds want to migrate to some specific areas, these areas usually include the southern areas depending on their eating habits. But if you found these birds in your areas before migration, this is the time when they need a lot of calories to store. Because of their long journey to the south, they need a good amount of calories before. You can use the bird feeders in your area for this purpose.

2. Breeding Season

Breeding season is another important factor that affects the bird’s feeding. This is actually the spring season when the birds are ready to mate. Because during this period, birds usually need more food as compared to normal days. You can use the special type of food in the feeders during this season.

3. Weather

Weather conditions can also play an important role in the bird’s feeding. Birds have good sense and can perfectly judge the incoming weather. When they feel that the storm is coming, they just eat more as compared to normal. So when you think the storm is coming, you can provide them the more food in the feeder.

Watch Important Bird Feeding Tips:

How to choose a perfect bird feeder?

Choosing a perfect bird feeder is not less than a challenge in the presence of many feeders in the market. All these feeders have their own characteristics depending upon their prices. All these feeders fulfill the basic needs of the birds. We have listed the best feeders in different price ranges. But there are some general points which can lead you to buy the best feeder according to your need. Let’s see these general points.

• First of all, decide your budget.
• List all the features which you want in your feeder.
• Think of a color scheme that matches your garden.
• How many birds do you want to attract? fewer or as many as possible?
• After reading these points go for the first choice that comes in your budget.

If you are still confused! just go back to the top of this page. If budget is not a problem go for “Dream Buy” and if you are on a limited budget go for our “budget friendly” suggestion.

Conclusion

We can conclude from all the above discussion that different kinds of bird feeders are available in different price ranges. Each has its own characteristics. But the best one for you mainly depends upon your need and budget.