Bird Feeder Buyer’s Guide 2021 by Birdfeederist

Feeding the backyard birds is great fun for many families as it entertains them and increases their garden’s beauty. Bird feeders are one of the best ways of feeding the birds in the garden. But you can’t simply go for any feeder as the birds have their own preferences for the feeder and food as well. For example, many birds like the ground feeder, while others like to feed on hanging feeders.  Some birds are happy to feed on an open feeder, while some like to stay close to cover.

There are different types of bird feeder styles and designs available. You need to choose the best one according to the bird species you want to feed in your garden. However, the bird’s safety is one of the most important factors when selecting a bird feeder. Moreover, you need to take special care when you have squirrels, cats, and other predators in your garden. Let’s see the different types of feeders that can attract the various species of birds.

Different types of bird feeders

Whatever feeder you will choose, make sure it is sturdy enough to withstand different seasons, easy to assemble, keep the seeds dry, and most importantly, easy to clean. Let’s see the different types of feeders, which can provide various food to the birds.

1. Tray or platform feeder

Tray or platform bird feeders are good to attract a variety of seed-eating birds, including pigeons, starlings, House Sparrows, Grosbeaks, and native Sparrows. You can attract a maximum number of birds with platform feeders, but they don’t have any protection against rain and snow. There is no proper drainage system in the Tray feeders, which is responsible for the fungal and bacterial growth. Moreover, the bird droppings can quickly spoil the seeds. So, make sure to buy a tray feeder, which at least has several holes for drainage.

Offer only enough seeds in the tray, which are removed in one or two days, and always shake the bottom whenever you refill the tray feeder. Tray feeders are also an easy food source for the unwanted audience like squirrels and chipmunks. Tray feeders are usually placed near the ground and used to attract the ground eaters like juncos, doves, jays, blackbirds, and sparrows.

2. Hopper or House feeders

If you are looking for a bird feeder, which can fairly protect the seeds from weather and bird droppings, a hopper bird feeder is the best choice for this purpose. But if somehow seeds in the feeder get wet, they can quickly get the bacteria and fungus. Hopper or house feeders are mostly good to attract the finches, Blue jays. Cardinals, buntings, grosbeaks, sparrows, chickadees, and titmice.

These feeders can hold a good amount of seeds, which is convenient for people but dangerous for birds as it’s allowed the seeds to wet inside. These feeders are a little harder to clean than tray feeders. You can mount the hopper feeder on a pole or suspended. A squirrel baffle is very important to use when you are going to mount it with a pole.

3. Window feeder

A window feeder is a perfect choice to increase the beauty of your backyard. It’s also very helpful to prevent the birds from colliding with the windows. Window feeders are useful to attract the finches, chickadees, titmice, and some sparrows as well. You can also enjoy a wonderful close-up view of the birds from your home.

But the risk of seed spoiling is increased in the window feeders as the birds feed by standing on the seeds. So, make sure to clean out the window feeders regularly and try to keep the feeder clean. Fortunately, the window feeder is easiest to fill and clean than the other bird feeders.

4. Hummingbird Feeder

Hummingbird feeders are used to provide fresh nectar to hummingbirds. The most important thing about these feeders is their cleaning and filling as these feeders contain liquid and can become hazardous for birds quickly. Especially during the summer season, you need to take special care to prevent the birds from any health issues. You can mount the feeder under shade to prevent it from quick spoiling. Moreover, you also need to take some special care of your hummingbird feeder as the ants, bees, and other insects are also attracted to the sweet nectar.

5. Tube Feeders

Tube feeders are one of the best feeders to deal with squirrels. These squirrel-resistant feeders can keep the seeds fairly clean and dry with a good ventilation system. You can attract small birds like sparrows, grosbeaks, chickadees, titmice, and finches, depending upon the perches’ size under the feeding ports. These feeders’ port-style is designed to attract the seed-eating birds that like to eat, hanging upside down. You can offer the tiny nyjer seeds or larger seeds, depending upon the port size.

Unfortunately, most of the seed-containing feeders are extended an inch or more below the feeding ports, becoming a breeding ground for the mold and bacteria. You can simply block the bottom to deal with this issue. Make sure to choose the tube feeder size depending upon the strength of the birds in your area.

6. Nyjer feeder

Nyjer feeders are specially designed to hold the Nyjer seeds to attract the American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, and Common Redpolls. There are two main types of Nyjer feeders; tube feeders and thistle socks fine-mesh bags. The tube feeders have small ports to attract the smaller species. Many people don’t like the black holes below their Nyjer feeder as the small birds like to eat the tinier seed within the hole. Usually, squirrels don’t like the Nyjer seeds, making this feeder the right choice for the backyard.

7. Suet Feeders

Suet feeders are usually constructed with wire mesh or plastic-coated wire, or mesh onion bag. You can tie them with a tree trunk, suspended them, or affixed them to the side of the hopper feeder. These feeders can attract various woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, jays, and starling. These feeders are specially designed to force the birds to feed upside down. Make sure to buy a plastic-coated suet feeder as the bird’s tongue can be stuck with the metal. Suet cages are the safest way to offer the suet as the bird’s toes can also stick into the mesh onion bags, which lead them to death.

Quick Tips to Buy a Bird Feeder

Whenever you are thinking about attracting the bird in your garden, there are three things that play an important role in birds’ attraction; freshwater, Cover for the nest, and a variety of foods. Bird feeders are the best devices to provide a variety of foods to the birds. Let’s see some quick tips about buying Birdfeeders.

• Whichever type of feeder you will buy from above, make sure it’s comfortable to fill, empty, and clean.
• If you have a plastic feeder, try to reinforce it with metal to discourage the squirrels.
• There should be perches around the feeder, depending upon the birds you want to attract. Metal perches feeders are usually good than plastic perches.
• If your feeder has some wooden parts, It should be painted to protect against moisture.
• If you have squirrels in your garden, try to buy a feeder, which has maximum protection against squirrels.