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Best Bird Feeders Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Features
Types of bird feeders
There is a wide variety of bird feeders. Each one will differ on the type of food it will accommodate. Each species of bird will have their preference as far as which feeder they like the best. You will also find that some feeders are more decorative than others.
Some will offer defense from intrusive pests like squirrels and chipmunks, which are both notorious for overeating on your seeds. It is best to choose a feeder that will attract the birds known in your area, as this will lead to more activity at your feeder.
Tray feeders
A tray feeder is precise as the name states, a tray that can be secured to a pole or porch rail. These by no means are anything fancy but are fully functional as far as feeding goes. If you choose to use a tray style feeder, there are a few key features to consider.
One of the leading issues with tray feeders is they don't have proper drainage, which can cause your seeds to sprout or get moldy. Look for one that has a wire bottom, held slightly above the wooden platform. Wire bottoms give the seeds the opportunity to dry after a shower of rain.
You will want a tray feeder that allows for cleaning, so finding one where the bottom piece slides out or off will be beneficial. Tray feeders are known for collecting bird waste, which can contaminate your seeds, so regular cleaning is a must.
When this type of feeder is suspended from a tree or secured to a pole, you may find that it will attract pigeons, starlings, and grosbeaks. When not adequately guarded against, tray feeders are also great attractants for squirrels as well. Should you choose to have this feeder closer to the ground, you may find doves or blackbirds feeding on it.
Hopper feeders
The hopper-style feeder is those you see that look more attractive hanging in yards in your neighborhood. These are larger and can hold more seeds than that of the tray style feeder. Hopper feeders shelter your seeds from the weather, making the food last longer than in a tray as well. It is best to look for a hopper feeder that can be both easily filled and cleaned.
It is best to hang this type of feeder either from a chain or secured to a pole, but don't forget your squirrel protection. You will find that bird who like to perch and eat, like the cardinal, may visit your feeder from time to time. A few other types of birds that enjoy these feeders are finches, buntings, and titmice.
Window feeders
A window feeder can be very entertaining to watch, as they secure to your window with suction cups. Window feeders are typically made from clear plastic. Clear plastic is helpful for knowing when to fill your feeder. These are easy to fill and cleaned but should be maintained on a daily basis. Finches, chickadees, and sparrows will enjoy feeding on your window feeders daily.
Tube feeders
A tube style feeder is a cylinder tube that will hold the seeds. Some will be equipped with mesh to hold in the seeds, while others will have a plastic tube. These will come in varying sizes. Some will hold smaller seeds like Nyjer or thistle.
Others will have bigger openings to accommodate larger sized seeds like sunflower seeds. When you choose a tube feeder with smaller perches, you will most likely attract smaller birds like finches. Blue jays and grackles will be deterred from feeding at these as they won't have room to perch.
Suet feeders
Suet is a type of bird food that comes in the form of a cake, as it is a combination of rendered beef fat and seeds. A suet feeder is mainly found made from strong wire to form a cage, that will hold your suet cakes within.
You can hang these from a tree branch by using a chain or attach them to the trunk of your tree. Some hopper feeders will have a place included on the side for hanging a suet feeder as well. Suet feeders can be left out for year round feeding, which helps the birds maintain their body fat in the colder months of the year.
You may find that putting out a suet feeder will a wider variety of bird for your viewing pleasure. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, starlings, and chickadees are just a few examples of what birds you can expect to see.
Hummingbird feeders
Most hummingbirds will only feed on a feeder at the beginning of spring before our flowers are in full bloom. Offering them a feeder helps them maintain their strength and stamina until their favorite food is available. Hummingbird feeders come in several forms, most of which are made to hold a solution type food.
You can buy this as a pre-made mixture or search for a homemade recipe. Just be sure that when offering a feeder to the hummingbirds you maintain cleanliness, these tend to mold easily. Washing them before each filling with a mild detergent will prevent mold from growing.
Fruit feeders
Another way to feed those picky types of birds, such as the oriole, is a fruit feeder. With these, you can offer them fresh fruit like oranges, which happens to be the Orioles favorite. Keeping food on hand for these types of birds can promote nesting in your yard as well. Some varieties of fruit feeders will also offer a space for nuts, giving those picky eaters another option to munch.
Seeds
When you want to attract a wider variety of bird, black oil sunflower seeds are a good option. These are easy for birds to remove from the shell, so even smaller birds can eat these. Nyjer seeds are smaller in size, so using these with a hopper style feeder probably isn't wise, due to the amount of waste.
Finches are highly attracted to nyjer seeds, but squirrels are not. Suet will attract a wide variety of birds as well and is great for feeding birds all year round. When using a tray style feeder, feel free to pick up those bags of mixed seeds, as many birds enjoy feeding on tray feeders. Should you choose to feed your birds on the ground, cracked corn is an inexpensive way to do this.
Top 10 Picks
1. Nature's Hangout
The first feeder on our list is one that everyone in your home will enjoy. Window feeders allow you to watch birds while kicking back in your easy chair. A bird feeder should be easy to fill as well as clean, making your routine as simple as possible.
Easy Clean
This feeder was designed with cleaning in mind, simply pull out the tray provided. This will allow you to dump the old seeds, wipe the tray clean, then replace the tray for refilling. Routinely cleaning your feeder ensures the health of the birds you are feeding.
Entertainment
Window style feeders can provide your entire family with entertainment right from your living room. This feeder is made from an acrylic that is totally see-through, giving you a better view of the birds you are feeding.
Cost and Value
A feeder like this one is a great find, perfect for families with smaller children as well. Simply attach the feeder to your window and fill it with seeds. Then all you have to do is sit back, watch the birds fly in and out of your feeder.
2. Woodlink Going Green
Platform feeders are a great low maintenance option for feeding birds. You can use several types of feed, as there are no openings that can get clogged. These can be hung in any location in your yard using a shepherds hook or tree branch.
Think Green
Not only is this feeder great for the bird population in your area, but it's also beneficial to the environment as well. This platform feeder is made from recycled materials making it easier to clean. The materials used for this feeder won't absorb moisture preventing the growth of mold.
Mesh Bottom
One issue comes to mind with platform feeders, most of them will have little to no drainage capabilities. To alleviate that problem, this feeder has a bottom made from mesh. The mesh bottom gives the feeder proper drainage needed to keep your food fresh for longer.
Cost and Value
Platform style feeders can be less of a hassle when it comes to cleaning and filling your feeder. You can use all different types of food with this feeder as well. Designed to drain water after the rain, your seeds will remain fresh for longer periods of time.
3. Nature Anywhere
Next on the list of feeders is another great window feeding option. This one offers slightly different qualities than the first window feeder on the list. Making it great for all those watching the bird activity at your window.
Material
This feeder offers a large amount of durability created by the material used to construct the feeder. The acrylic this company uses to make their feeder is thicker than most other window feeders. Which means it will last longer and has better resistance to damage.
View
Once this feeder is attached to your window, you can be sure that you will have a great view of the activity. Other feeders will cloud over with time, making it harder to see the birds at your window. This feeder has done away with this issue by leaving you a circle window in the acrylic.
Cost and Value
The potential this feeder carries makes it a great investment for years to come. With a tray that allows for easy cleaning, you can be sure that you are offering the freshest seeds possible. This leads to better bird activity for you to enjoy.
4. Brome Squirrel Buster
A squirrel resistant feeder can seem too good to be true, but this one has the market cornered for being squirrel proof. Added to this feeder is a foolproof design for ensuring that your seeds stay fresh for days.
Squirrel Proof
When a squirrel attempts to access this feeder, the weight of the squirrel closes the opening the seeds come from. This denies the squirrel of their food source. This function works great for larger birds that tend to scare off smaller birds. To add to the squirrel resistance all parts of this feeder are 100% chew proof.
Ventilation
The design of the ventilation system permits warm and stale air to exit from the vents at the top. These vents also allow fresh air into the seeds, letting the air circulate through the seeds. Keeping the seeds in the feeder fresh for a longer period of time.
Cost and Value
This bird feeder is one of the more costly options on our list, but it does come with a couple of bonuses for the price. The first is the fact that this company will repair your bird feeder whenever it is needed for the life of the feeder. Besides the resistance to squirrels, this feeder comes with a special ring known for attracting cardinals.
5. Nature Gear Window Bird Feeder
Window feeders are lovely for people unable to get outside to watch the birds. Window feeders can be used even when there is no yard. The package includes instructions on how to place the feeder and to attract birds.
Enjoyment
The concept of this feeder is to bring birds closer when feeding. It is a fun means of feeding wild birds and watching them closely. Bird lovers can watch as wild birds from the family room, den, kitchen, or living room window.
Construction
It is made of clear acrylic. The clear bird feeder does not block window light. It provides a clear view of feeding birds. The Nature Gear bird feeder has a removable tray and sturdy perch. Condensation does not obstruct viewing. The all-weather design is made of weatherproof housing, a feed tray, and drain holes. The four suction cups make the feeder sturdy and stylish.
The seeds are kept dry and free from mildew and mold. Local birds can feed safely. The overhanging roof keeps birds dry as they feed, which allows bird lovers more time to watch the birds up close. The suction cups are the only assembly required.
Cost and Value
The low-priced feeder has a 100 percent guarantee backs the feeder. Kids enjoy watching birds that come up to the window. The sliding tray makes the feeder very functional. You clean and refill it easily.
Cleaning and refilling can be a pain with many feeders. When seeds cannot be cleaned from a feeder, the seeds rot inside. Rotting seed is a non-issue with the design of this feeder. The quality of the feeder increases the chances of lasting a long time.
6. Gardman Tray
The durable hanging tray is a welcomed destination for hungry birds. The powerful Gardman hanging bird feeder is magnificently designed so that you can watch and feed birds in your backyard.
Birds That Visit the Feeder
It allows you to fulfill the desires of hungry birds and provides several species of birds an area to eat food scraps, seed, and mealworms. The simple design attracts tons of birds. The species the feeder attracts include woodpeckers, robins, finches, nuthatches, cardinals, titmice, and chickadees.
Construction
Three high-quality, sturdy metal chains support the beautiful hanging bird tray. Decorative curving scrollwork brackets are used to hang the chains. Sturdy and durable steel provide years of use.
The metal wires can be bent into place if squirrels try to get into the feeder. The feeder has a black coat finish that is rust-resistant. The feeder comes with a micro-mesh metal tray that cleans easily. The mesh bottom allows rain to pass through. It stays relatively clean.
Cost and Value
The Gardman Hanging Bird Feeder is among the best feeding trays on the market. The dish is easy to fill. No hassle is encountered like that of other feeders. The round design is more functional than the regular box hanging feeder.
7. Aspects 367 HummZinger Ultra
Beating the Aspects 367 HummZinger for a nectar feeder is hard. It has a built-in ant moat that keeps the nuisances out. Crawling insects are blocked. The Nectar-Guard tips, found on the feeding ports keep wasps, bees, and flying insects from contaminating liquid in the feeder. A bright red cover attracts hummingbirds from a distance.
Special Features
There are three basic parts - the trough and bowl area, a lid, and a handle. The feeder has two plastic halves. They come apart easily, yet are sturdy enough to make for a solid bird feeder. The feeder is easy to disassemble which makes cleaning simple. A design that includes the moat and a slim feeder port is a hit with reviewers. Together they help keep wasps and ants away from the nectar.
Construction
It has a 12-ounce capacity that services four feeding ports. Enclosed instructions give information about the appropriate mixture to use in the feeder Raised flowers on the feeder divert rain. The feeder is leak and drip proof. An integrated wrap-around perch welcomes birds to sit a stay for a while. The hook is stronger and longer than similar styles.
Cost and Value
It is simple to maintain and easy to fill. The feeder has a lifetime warranty. The polycarbonate construction is what allows the offer of a lifetime guarantee. The patented combination of moat and nectar-guard makes the Aspects 367 the most insect proof feeder available.
Customers are amazed at how well it solves the problem of ants and flying intruders. It repels honey bees and yellow jackets. When only hummingbirds are feeding, the devices stay cleaner. It is as foolproof as it gets.
8. North States
This feeder is one of the more decorative options on our list. But don't let that fool you, it is still as fully functional as the other feeders. You can enjoy the company of the birds while keeping up the appearance of your yard.
Decorative
This feeder comes in a multitude of colors and design options. Simply choose one that fits into the theme of your yard decorations. This allows you to contribute to your communities beauty as well as the bird community.
Functional
Not only is this feeder beautiful, but it also has plenty of potential in the feeding department as well. With a capacity to hold five pounds of seed, filling this feeder won't need to happen often. The seeds are held within the decorative structure protecting them from the rain. Which keeps your food supply from growing mold or bacteria.
Cost and Value
With several design options available, at a decent price point, you are sure to find a feeder that will fit in perfectly with your yard decor. Aside from its beauty, these feeders function fully holding plenty of food.
9. Droll Yankees
Another great option for those who have issues with squirrels feeding on their feeders. This feeder offers a form of defense against squirrels. With a large holding capacity for seeds, you won't be out there every day filling this feeder.
Squirrel Defense
Once a squirrel steps onto this feeder the weight of the squirrel triggers a motor. That motor causes the base of the feeder to spin throwing the squirrel off balance. This will prevent the squirrels from gaining access to your seed supply.
Seed Capacity
The tube of the feeder holds at least five pounds worth of seed. Making it easier to keep your feeder full while your away for a few days. With a larger capacity, there is no need to run out to fill your feeder on a daily basis either.
Cost and Value
A good quality feeder should have plenty to offer your birds as well as you. Keep in mind that those qualities will come at a higher price. If you think of it this way, squirrel proofing a feeder will cut down the cost of food. You will see that the initial cost is worth the investment.
10. Gray Bunny
Taking another look at tube style feeders, this one has plenty to offer for you and the birds. Works well for attracting smaller, more active birds. Easy to fill with plenty of openings for feeding multiple birds.
Birds
The design for this feeder is geared toward the smaller species of birds like titmice or finches. These birds are far more active than their larger counterparts. With four places to choose from, you can bet you will see several birds at your feeder at once.
Easy to Fill
Filling some tube style feeders can be a huge hassle, this one keeps things simple. When ready for a refill, all you need to do is lift to the top to add your seeds. You can add up to four cups of seeds at once so the filling won't have to happen as often.
Cost and Value
A tube feeder is perfect for those who enjoy watching more active birds. Since the tube is clear, there will be no confusion as to when you need to fill the feeder. This is a less expensive form of entertainment right in your own backyard.
Sources
- , How to Choose the Right Kind of Bird Feeder, Website
- , How to Choose a Bird Feeder, Website
- , Types of Bird Feeders- What You Need to Know, Website
