Adding feeders for bird food is simply the best step to enliven your view outside the window. Feeders provide a proper, safe, and easily accessible option for your birds to eat food. Plenty of options for these feeders can be found in the market, so you can have bird feeders for different types of birds.
As your backyard or garden will expect a variety of birds with a need for different types of food, you might be indecisive about selecting the right option for your home. Keeping that in mind, we’ve created a list of unique bird feeders. Additionally, Pet Life Expert will help you select the best option as a pet parent.
List of 12 Best Bird Feeder Types | An Overview
When you are fond of feathered creatures, having a feeder might be a basic necessity, as you must care for their hygiene and health. Let’s get to know each type for an informed purchase.
1. Platform Feeders
Also named “Tray feeders,” these platform feeders are the best choice for dispensing feathered friends’ food. They can store a variety of foods like seeds, fruits, and nuts, which is why they attract multiple birds. They can be suspended or mounted on posts, stumps, or deck railings.
Kingsyard Platform Bird Feeder for Outside, Recycled Plastic Hanging Tray Bird Feeders with Large Capacity 3.5 lbs, Premium Quality & Durable, Great for Attracting Wild Birds, Green
- Brand: Kingsyard
- Target Species: Blue Jar
- Recommended Uses For Product: Seed
- Material: Plastic
- Special Feature: Durable
2. Hopper Feeders
This bird food dispenser is the best choice for holding a lot of seeds and keeping them fresh and dry. Hopper feeder is available in market in plastic or metal. It can be hung on a tree branch to make it easy to access for birds. As they are fully enclosed, it becomes a little bit difficult to clean these dispensers; hence, it takes time.
Kingsyard Bird Feeder for Outside, Dual-Use Metal Mesh Wild Bird Feeder with Weatherproof Dome Dual
- Brand: Kingsyard
- Target Species: Cardinal
- Recommended Uses For Product: Seed
- Material: Metal
- Special Feature: Weatherproof
3. Tube Feeders
The tube is easiest to use and hangs feeders from all options, allowing pet parents to target numbers, species, and sizes of birds. These tube feeders are small and long but effective feeders that keep the food fresh and guard against spoilage.
Kingsyard 2 Pack Tube Feeders with 6 Feeding Ports for Outdoors Hanging, Premium Hard Plastic Weatherproof & Steel Hanger, Attracting for Wild Birds (Black)
- Brand: Kingsyard
- Target Species: Goldfinch, Chickadee, Sparrow, Siskin
- Recommended Uses For Product: Seed
- Material: Plastic
- Special Feature: Weatherproof, Easy-Refill Top, 6 Feeding Ports
4. Window Feeders
If your concern is closely watching birds in your backyard, bird window feeders are the best choice to settle for. These feeders are designed particularly to avoid window collisions. It comes with a unique design of plastic hoppers that need to be fixed on windows using suction cups, allowing firm grip and easy access for refilling.
Clear Window Bird Feeder with 5 Extra Strong Suction Cups, DY-SKTY Sturdy and Durable Acrylic Bird Feeders for Viewing Wild Bird Outside, as a Bird Watching Gift, Outdoor Bird Feeder, and Garden Decor
- Brand: DY-SKTY
- Target Species: [‘Cardinal’, ‘Woodpecker’, ‘Finch’, ‘Robin’]
- Recommended Uses For Product: Water, Seed
- Material: Glass, Acrylic
- Special Feature: Durable
5. Suet Feeders
If you are looking for feeders to serve high-quality and best-energy foods, go for Suet feeders. These kinds of feeders are perfect for birds like woodpeckers, starlings, and jays. You can install suet feeders in colder months to feed the suet. The two main designs for these dispensers are birdcage caged feeders and wood pieces.
More Birds Double Suet Cage Bird Feeder with Metal Roof, Fruit and Suet Feeder, 2 Suet Cake Capacity
- Brand: More Birds
- Target Species: Woodpecker
- Recommended Uses For Product: Suet
- Material: Metal
- Special Feature: Durable
6. Hummingbird Feeders
These feeders are also called “Nectar Feeders” because they are designed for birds that need sweet, juicy fluid. And the hummingbird is widely known for taking nectar from different flowers. They can attract different types of birds, are easy to set up, and can be installed even in small backyards.
FEED GARDEN 2 Pack 16 OZ Hummingbird Feeders for Outdoor 5 Feeder Ports Ant Bee Proof Leak-Proof Cleaning Brushes Nectar Easy Clean Fill Bird Feeder for Garden Red Décor Gifts for Mom
- Brand: FEED GARDEN
- Target Species: Hummingbird
- Recommended Uses For Product: Nectar
- Material: Plastic
- Special Feature: Bee Resistant, Removable Lid, Easy-Refill Top, 360 Degree Perch, Built-In Ant Moat
7. Squirrel Feeders
For pet parents facing problems due to squirrels eating bird food, this is a worthwhile choice. These kinds of food dispensers come in fun shapes to protect your bird food from squirrels. You can add the blends of food to them. The best thing is their weight-sensitive mechanism that gets closed when a squirrel tries to enter.
MIXUMON Wood Squirrel Feeder, Squirrel Feeders for Outside Winter, Wooden Chipmunk Feeder for Corn, Peanuts, Durable Box Easy to Fill with Removable Front Panel (Style 2)
- Brand: MIXUMON
- Target Species: Squirrel
- Recommended Uses For Product: Nut
- Material: Wood
- Special Feature: Flexible
8. Fruit Feeders
This kind of dispenser is designed to hold and store fruits instead of seeds or any kind of grain. Grape jelly, apples, or oranges are some options that can be served for birds through this fruit feeder. Spring and fall seasons are the best to hang these bird feeders. They can even attract butterflies.
Nature’s Way BBFM1 Bluebird Buffet Metal Bird Feeder with Protective Baffle, Outdoor Wild Bird Feeder and Décor, One Glass Dish with 3/4 Cup capacity, Blue
- Brand: Nature’s Way
- Target Species: Bluebird
- Recommended Uses For Product: Seed, Fruit, Suet Balls, Mealworm
- Material: Glass, Plastic
- Special Feature: Weather Resistant
9. Nyjer Feeders
Specially designed to provide thistle seed to birds, these Nyjer feeders are the choice of many pet owners. Made from solid plastic or metal mesh, these feeders can hold hundreds of goldfinches at a time. Additionally, they have a tube-like structure and are a few feet long. These are good for feeding birds with small beaks.
Kingsyard Metal Mesh Tube Bird Feeders for Outdoor Hanging, Finch Bird Feeder for Nyjer/Thistle Seed, 2.5 lbs Large Capacity
- Brand: Nature’s Way
- Target Species: Bluebird
- Recommended Uses For Product: Seed, Fruit, Suet Balls, Mealworm
- Material: Glass, Plastic
- Special Feature: Weather Resistant
10. Peanut Feeder
Designed to serve in-shell or shell peanuts to your birds, these peanut feeders are a great choice. This serving tool has enough space to pull out the shells. They usually have a tube-like shape, but you can find them with round and wreath shapes with large holes through which birds can easily get the peanuts out.
Gtongoko 2 Pack Peanut Wreath Bird Feeder, Rust & Waterproof, Solid Steel Durable Whole Peanut Wild Bird Feeder with Hanging Hook
- Brand: Gtongoko
- Target Species: Blue Jay, Squirrel
- Recommended Uses For Product: Nut
- Material: Alloy Steel, Metal
- Special Feature: Waterproof
11. Seed Feeders
Made to attract greenfinches, sparrows, and bluetits, these feeders are uniquely designed to dispense seeds. These seed feeders make it easier to feed food to every bird, no matter if it’s small or large. You can find these feeders in a variety of plastic or metal settings to serve sunflowers to mix seeds.
Metal Bird Feeder for Outdoors Hanging,3.0LB Seed Feeder,Easy to Fill & Clean,360° Feeding,Weatherproof Roof for Gardens
- Brand: Youvip
- Target Species: Cardinal
- Recommended Uses For Product: Seed
- Material: Metal
- Special Feature: Weather Resistant, Easy-Refill Top, 360 Degree Perch, Adjustable, Rust Resistant
12. DIY Bird Feeders
Handmade feeders for birds are the best choice for every pet owner who loves birds. You can check and finalize some designs for bird feeders and customize a cheap bird feeder accordingly. Whether it’s a glass, metal, or wooden bird feeder and a simple to smart feeder with a camera, you can make it for wild or winter bird feeders to draw a variety of birds and serve a variety of foods.
Pennington Cedar Gazebo Bird Feeder
- Brand: Pennington
- Target Species: Wild Bird
- Recommended Uses For Product: Seed
- Material: Cedar
- Special Feature: Cedar Gazebo Bird Feeder
Tips to Choose the Best Feeder That Attracts Birds
Here are some quick tips for beginners to choose the right feeders for their pet birds or to attract wild birds.
Sturdiness
Outdoor bird feeders must be properly checked when buying to see if they can withstand variant or harsh weather conditions.
Seed Dryness
Check the dispenser you choose for birds to ensure it has drainage to keep the seeds from dampening.
Perch Design
Another thing is checking if the dispenser has a bird-friendly design that allows them to perch away with food.
Variety
There can be types of bird feeders for different birds. So, evaluate the type and number of dispensers.
Food Type
Get to know the types of feeders that are good for the type of food you want to serve to your birds.
Location
Already determine where you’ll install or place the feeder to attract most of the birds to your backyard.
Nest
Make sure your best feeder offers the proper food storage while allowing the birds to stay there for a while.
Ease of Use
Make sure the big bird feeders you select are easy to use, like pouring food and emptying it for cleaning.
Ease of Cleaning
The market has different types of feeders. Choose a design that is easy to maintain, empty, and clean.
Coming To End
Feeding birds is a delightful way to be close to nature while supporting birds to survive during cold and migrating seasons. It is important to understand the type of bird dispenser, as you can find custom wooden, glass, metal, or homemade bird feeder options. When you know the type and purpose of a feeder, you can choose the best one. The right feeder will not only be an eco-friendly option, but it will also attract more and more birds. By knowing different types in this guide, you’ll be aware of the safe and health-friendly options for your bird.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
As a Beginner, Which Type of Bird Feeders are Best?
If you are indecisive in the selection of winter bird feeders, go for hopper feeders, as they are the best choice for beginners. These feeders are not only versatile but easily accessible, convenient to use, and draw different bird breeds and types.
Which Bird Feeder Attracts the Best Way Songbirds?
Different songbirds, like finches and sparrows, can be attracted by tube feeders loaded with mixed or sunflower seeds. Platform feeders are also effective since they make it simple for birds to get food.
Can the Same Feeders Go For All Bird Species?
Certain feeders serve certain birds, whereas others draw a variety of species. A range of birds can be accommodated by using a variety of feeders.
How Many Times Should I Clean My Bird Feeder?
At least once a week, clean the feeders. Cleaning nectar feeders may be necessary every few days, particularly during warm weather.
Which Food Is Ideal To Attract Different Bird Types?
Numerous bird species like black-oil sunflower seeds. Including fruits, mealworms, and suet will help to diversify your guests.
Is it Possible to Use Multiple Bird Feeders in My Backyard?
Of course! Since various species have varied preferences for eating, using a variety of bird feeders helps draw in a greater range of birds. Combine suet, platform, and tube feeders to provide a varied feeding environment.
