10 Best Bird Feeders: Bird Watching Expert’s Guide in 2023 Updated!

Birds are a great addition to any garden. They brighten up the yard and bring beautiful melodies that will keep you entertained and feel at peace. If you like birds and would like them to keep coming back to your place, the best way to do so is by giving them something they want and need. And there’s nothing better than giving them bird food! In order to charm them to your yard, you would need the best bird feeder in the market.

Best-Bird-Feeder

6 Best Bird Feeders Comparison

First Nature 3055 32-ounce Hummingbird Feeder
More Birds Yellow Screen SeedFeed
Songbird Essentials Ultimate Oriole Feeder
Nature Gear Window Bird Feeder - Refillable Sliding Tray - Weather Proof - Snow and Squirrel...
Kettle Moraine Cedar Hanging Bluebird Mealworm Feeder
More Birds Squirrel-X Double Suet Feeder, Outdoor Wild Bird Feeder, Cage Bird Feeder, 2 Suet Cake...
First Nature 3055 32-ounce Hummingbird Feeder
More Birds Yellow Screen SeedFeed
Songbird Essentials Ultimate Oriole Feeder
Nature Gear Window Bird Feeder - Refillable Sliding Tray - Weather Proof - Snow and Squirrel...
Kettle Moraine Cedar Hanging Bluebird Mealworm Feeder
More Birds Squirrel-X Double Suet Feeder, Outdoor Wild Bird Feeder, Cage Bird Feeder, 2 Suet Cake...
Dimensions
23.75 x 11 x 7.13 inches
4.6 x 4.6 x 8.4 inches
12.5 x 12.5 x 2.25 inches
7.9 x 4 x 7.5 inches
11 x 7 x 8 inches
10 x 10 x 9.4 inches
Material
Plastic
Metal Base, Plastic Screen
Plastic
Premium Acrylic
Soild Cedar and Stainless Steel
Metal
First Nature 3055 32-ounce Hummingbird Feeder
First Nature 3055 32-ounce Hummingbird Feeder
Dimensions
23.75 x 11 x 7.13 inches
Material
Plastic
More Birds Yellow Screen SeedFeed
More Birds Yellow Screen SeedFeed
Dimensions
4.6 x 4.6 x 8.4 inches
Material
Metal Base, Plastic Screen
Songbird Essentials Ultimate Oriole Feeder
Songbird Essentials Ultimate Oriole Feeder
Dimensions
12.5 x 12.5 x 2.25 inches
Material
Plastic
Nature Gear Window Bird Feeder - Refillable Sliding Tray - Weather Proof - Snow and Squirrel...
Nature Gear Window Bird Feeder - Refillable Sliding Tray - Weather Proof - Snow and Squirrel...
Dimensions
7.9 x 4 x 7.5 inches
Material
Premium Acrylic
Kettle Moraine Cedar Hanging Bluebird Mealworm Feeder
Kettle Moraine Cedar Hanging Bluebird Mealworm Feeder
Dimensions
11 x 7 x 8 inches
Material
Soild Cedar and Stainless Steel
More Birds Squirrel-X Double Suet Feeder, Outdoor Wild Bird Feeder, Cage Bird Feeder, 2 Suet Cake...
More Birds Squirrel-X Double Suet Feeder, Outdoor Wild Bird Feeder, Cage Bird Feeder, 2 Suet Cake...
Dimensions
10 x 10 x 9.4 inches
Material
Metal

Related Articles

What To Look For When Buying A Squirrel Feeder

Bird-Feeder-Buying-Guide

Different bird feeders have different characteristics, especially since every bird has its own distinct taste for food. But there are a few consistent factors to look into when buying a bird feeder. These are as follows:

Durability

A bird feeder must be durable enough to last intense heat, random rain showers, and even sometimes snow if your bird feeder needs to be put out all year long. Even if the item is made of plastic, as long as it is of the right thickness, it can be durable enough. Cedar is also a good material for bird feeders, as it is tough and it lasts a long time.

Size

This depends on how many birds frequent your area and how many you intend to feed. The bird feeder description will usually indicate how many birds it can feed at the same time. For instance, a bird feeder may have two to four slots and perches. This can tell you how many birds it can accommodate at one time.

Can manage your birds

Whether you are trying to attract small birds such as hummingbirds, or you want to focus on bigger birds like woodpeckers, your bird feeder of choice should be able to accommodate them. For example, if it’s meant for small birds, it should have small and narrow perches, while if it’s for large birds, it should have wider and sturdier perches.

Attractive features

This depends on the bird you are trying to attract. If you want an oriole, the feeder should be colored orange, as it is the one that attracts them the most. Make sure the features of your bird feeder matches that of what charms your target bird.

Easy to maintain

Maintenance is an important aspect for bird feeders. Leave it unclean and it will cause diseases, not only for the birds but also for people. The ease by which you can clean and maintain a bird feeder is important, especially for people with mobility problems.

Deters critters

Whether your main problems are rats, squirrels, raccoons, bugs or ants, your feeder of choice must have a feature that deters these creatures. If you want to deter ants, your feeder must have an ant moat. If you want to prevent rats and squirrels, the feeder must have rodent-proofing.

Price

This is one aspect you shouldn’t overlook. Not all bird feeders are created equally, but the best feeder need not be expensive but priced just enough to meet your needs. Also look into the company’s warranty offer and take that into consideration when weighing your options.

These are just the basic aspects you should look into, especially since every bird feeder has a different style and feature depending on the type.

Buy the wrong bird feeder and you’ll end up either attracting the wrong types of creatures (such as squirrels and rats) or not attracting anything at all! With the right feeder, you’ll have your favorite avian friends visiting your home over and over.


Top 10 Best Bird Feeder Reviews

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1. First Nature 3055 Hummingbird Feeder – Best for Hummingbird

First-Nature-3055-Hummingbird-Feeder

 

Hummingbirds are one of my personal favorites when it comes to birds because of their beautiful melodic chirping. The music just makes one feel positive all throughout the day, which is why I like feeding them. Among all the feeders I’ve tried, the best hummingbird feeder for me is First Nature 3055.

What I love most about this feeder is that it has ten ports, which means up to ten hummingbirds can feed at the same time. This is good thing because I can’t always see the other side of the feeder, especially when the jar is filled with nectar to the brim. With the ten ports, I can always be sure that at least one bird will feed on the side that I can see. When five to ten hummingbirds feed at the same time, it is a very entertaining sight, with the hummingbirds fluttering and perching over and over.

Because of its wide brim mouth, the jar is easier to clean as compared to other hummingbird feeders.  The red color doesn’t fade even if it’s exposed to the sun almost the entire day.

What I don’t appreciate with this feeder is not the product itself, but the sticker logo that came with. I had to remove the sticker as the sticker is blocking the view of the nectar contents, but alas, the residue won’t come off! It left an ugly mark on an otherwise great product.

Pros:

  • Easy to clean
  • Can hold up to 32 ounces of nectar
  • Can accommodate up to 10 hummingbirds at a time
  • Color doesn’t fade in the sun
  • Durable

Cons:

  • The product sticker left a residue
First Nature 3055 32-ounce Hummingbird Feeder
  • The bright red color attracts the most inquisitive hummingbirds
  • With easy to fill wide mouth jar reservoir and two part base
  • Easy to clean with just warm soapy water
  • Feeding ports accommodate several hummers at a time

2. Stokes Select 38194 Bird Feeder – Best for Finch

Stokes-Select-38194-Bird-Feeder

 

This is one of the cheapest bird feeders I have ever tried, and I thought it will only last a few weeks. And man, am I wrong. I have had this bird feeder for more than six months now and it’s still performing well, making it not only the cheapest but also the best finch feeder.

Finches are small birds with big appetite, so making sure they have enough birdseed to feed on is important. These birds love nyjerseeds, which is why you need to get a feeder that can keep the small nyjer seeds in so that they don’t fall to the ground. The mesh screen does a great job in not only holding the seeds but in also keeping them fresh.

This is really a no-frills type of finch feeder, but it works as intended. I like that its bottom tray acts as both a catch tray for falling seeds and as additional perch for the finches. The seeds don’t go to waste as the finches eat from the tray as well. Even when it rains, I don’t worry about the seeds going bad since the bottom tray has holes large enough to drain the water properly.

However, similar to the cardinal feeder above, my problem with this finch feeder is that it can only hold up to half a pound of nyjer seeds. It is also very lightweight that the wind can easily blow it sideways.

Pros:

  • Wire mesh holds the nyjer seeds properly
  • Made of metal
  • The bottom tray drains water well
  • Affordable
  • Durable

Cons:

  • Too lightweight that it can be easily blown by the wind
  • Can hold only up to half a pound of nyjer seeds
More Birds Yellow Screen SeedFeed
  • HIGH QUALITY: Constructed of durable, high denisty plastic that will not rust and can withstand outside elements and the large hanging ring...
  • SIMPLE AND HASSLE FREE: Wide opening makes refilling and cleaning the feeder easy so you can spend less time messing with the feeder and...
  • ATTRACTIVE DESIGN: This yellow finch feeder is not only carefully designed to attract birds, but also looks classy and matches with any...
  • PROTECT THE BIRDS: A portion of all Stokes Select proceeds is donated to bird habitat and conservation
  • BIRD SUPPLIES THAT SET THE STANDARD: Stokes offer a wide variety of top of the line wild bird accessories, including bird feeder hangers,...

3. Songbird Essentials SE905 Ultimate Oriole Feeder – Best for Oriole

Songbird-Essentials-SE905-Ultimate-Oriole-Feeder

 

Orioles are a bit different from other birds in the sense that they don’t like bird seeds much. They prefer fruits, nectar, and jelly. This is why it would make sense to use a feeder that not only displays orioles’ favorite meals but attracts them by having a vivid orange color.

Based from experience, the best oriole feeder is the one from Songbird Essentials. They call it the ultimate oriole feeder, and they are quite right. With its bright orange color and capacity to hold four orange halves, it is unbeatable.

I love that the holder is made of thick plastic, and the orange color doesn’t fade easily. Even the spikes are plastic, but they hold the oranges well. There are small indentations on the edges of the platform, which is actually a space for jelly. There is a nectar container too, which can hold about four cups of the sweet watery mix. With this feeder, the orioles in my area are able to enjoy all three of their favorites at once! It also has a built-in ant moat to prevent the little buggers from taking over the oriole feeder.

What I don’t appreciate is that when only about half a quart of nectar remains, the nectar pools to one side of the container, causing the feeder to tilt on one side and stay tilted until I “rescue” it and make it right.

Pros:

  • Can hold nectar, orange, and jelly
  • Has a built-in ant moat
  • Made of durable plastic
  • Bright orange color doesn’t fade

Cons:

  • Tilts when less than half a quart of nectar remains
Sale
Songbird Essentials Ultimate Oriole Feeder
  • 12 inch nectar, jelly and orange halves combo

4. Nature Gear Window Bird Feeder – The Best Window Bird Feeder

Nature-Gear-Window-Bird-Feeder

 

If you or your kids want to have an up-close and personal experience when feeding wild birds, you can either be a bird whisperer, or you can get a window bird feeder. This type of feeder allows you to attach the feeder to a glass window. As such, you can have a clear and closer look at birds while they eat by your window.

For this purpose, you must find a feeder that strongly sticks to your window and is made of durable materials in case something untoward happens and it falls to the ground. The best window bird feeder I found that fits my personal requirements is the one from Nature Gear.

This window feeder has three high-quality suction cups that haven’t failed me so far in the past year. I love that it has a hole in the middle of the housing on the side of the window because it prevents fogging between the glass window and the plastic house.

The house is made of acrylic that is still crystal clear even after a year. I just make sure to clean it regularly to prevent grime and bird droppings from accumulating.

The best thing about this window feeder is that Nature Gear has a refund policy. They’ll give you your money back in case you are not satisfied, and so far, I have been very happy with my purchase. If the product has a drawback, it’s that it’s smaller than I expected, but that’s it!

Pros:

  • Made of durable acrylic
  • Housing remains clear even after a year of usage
  • Has strong suction cups
  • Doesn’t cause fogging between window and feeder
  • Has a refund policy

Cons:

  • Smaller than expected
Sale
Nature Gear Window Bird Feeder - Refillable Sliding Tray - Weather Proof - Snow and Squirrel...
  • Ultimate Birdwatching: Enjoy unobstructed views of hummingbirds, goldfinches from the comfort of your house. Our bird feeder attaches easily...
  • Easy Maintenance: Crafted with acrylic and built to last, this feeder ensures hassle-free birdwatching. The deep seed tray and clever design...
  • Affordable Entertainment: Delight the whole family from curious kids to elders with hours of bird watching fun. Fill the feeder with their...
  • Perfect Gift Idea: Whether it's Mother's Day, a birthday or any special occasion, our bird feeder makes a unique and thoughtful gift for...
  • Satisfaction Guaranteed: Your happiness is our first mission to consider. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee where you enjoy the look...

5. Kettle Moraine Cedar Bluebird Mealworm Feeder – Best for Bluebird

Kettle-Moraine-Cedar-Bluebird-Mealworm-Feeder

 

There are a lot of bird feeders that are made of cedarwood. Although I am not a fan of cedar, I found this one from Kettle Moraine very satisfactory. Small birds, in particular, like wooden feeders maybe because they blend well with nature and looks like a natural place to find food, specifically bugs, and mealworms.

Kettle Moraine’s Mealworm Feeder is the best bluebird feeder for me as I found a great increase in bluebirds frequenting my area ever since I put this one up. I love that my bluebird feeder looks really well-made. The edges are smooth and even, and the parts are screwed in properly.

What I like most is that you can have a clear view of the bluebirds feeding inside, just as long as the Plexiglass window panes are directed towards you, and that you’re not looking into the holes on the sides. Make sure you orient it properly when you hang it outside. It’s doesn’t get blown by the wind easily anyway.

Refilling is easy as a pie; all you have to do is lift the hinged roof and pour the mealworms in. Cleaning is as easy, just lift the hinged door and remove the Plexiglass on one side. I don’t worry about the mealworms crawling out as the sides inside are too smooth for them to have enough foothold.

If this feeder has a downside, it’s that only one side of the house can be opened. Cleaning could’ve been much easier if both can be open. Apart from that, everything’s good.

Pros:

  • Has clear Plexiglass on the sides for your viewing pleasure
  • Made of high-quality cedarwood
  • Constructed properly with nice smooth edges
  • Has a hinged roof for easy refilling
  • Can be cleaned easily

Cons:

  • Only one window side can be removed
Kettle Moraine Cedar Hanging Bluebird Mealworm Feeder
  • Made in the USA
  • Soild Cedar and Stainless Steel Screw Construction - No cheap staples or brads
  • Stainless Steel Hanging Cable
  • Hinged Roof for Easy Filling
  • Plexi glass viewing windows

6. Brown X Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder – Best for Woodpecker

Brown-X-Squirrel-Proof-Bird-Feeder

 

Suet cakes are a great source of energy for birds, especially during the winter. The fat provides them the energy their bodies need to produce heat during these cold climates. Add nuts and raisins to you suet cakes and that will be the perfect meal for woodpeckers.

If you want to put out a suet cake for woodpeckers but wouldn’t want squirrels to beat them to it, you should use the best woodpecker feeder. And that is, in my opinion, the Squirrel-X double suet feeder. As its name itself implies, it can hold up to two regular-sized suets inside.

This feeder is squirrel-proof as it has double cages as well. The inside cage holds the suet cakes firmly, while the outer cage keeps squirrels at bay. Small woodpeckers can go through the gaps between the outer cage so they can easily feed inside. Larger woodpeckers, on the other hand, can cling on the side, at the bottom, and at the top, and can peck away at the suet cakes.

The downside to this feeder is that if you have young squirrels that are really small, they can fit through the gaps and get inside! Most of the squirrels in my area are pretty big and couldn’t get in, so it must be a really young one that got inside.

Pros:

  • Can hold up to two suet cakes
  • Double caging hold suet cakes and deters large squirrels
  • Durable
  • Attracts all bird sizes

Cons:

  • The gap is large enough to let a really small squirrel in
Sale
More Birds Squirrel-X Double Suet Feeder, Outdoor Wild Bird Feeder, Cage Bird Feeder, 2 Suet Cake...
  • FEED THE BIRDS: Not the squirrels. Cage design allows small birds to access the suet cake while keeping squirrels out!
  • SUET FEEDER: Suet is a good source of energy and will attract a larger variety of birds to your yard
  • SUET CAKE CAPACITY: Squirrel-X bird feeder can accommodate two suet cakes
  • DETER LARGE 'BULLY' BIRDS: Bird feeder prevents the big bully birds from accessing the suet allowing the food for smaller birds
  • DURABILITY: Steel lid and powder-coated weather-resistant steel cage construction

7. Squirrel Buster Plus Bird Feeder – The Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

Squirrel-Buster-Plus-Bird-Feeder

 

If you’re looking for a bird feeder that would keep pesky rodents and crafty squirrels out, this bird feeder from Squirrel Buster is the unparalleled choice.

Let’s talk first what, in my opinion, are its best features for birds. I like best that this bird feeder is weight adjustable. With just one feeder, I can target a specific size of birds. If I want to feed just small-sized birds like finches and bluebirds, you can adjust the tension in the feeder. If you want medium to large-sized birds to also partake of the food, you simply adjust the tension again. The perch is wide enough for birds to stand on comfortably.

I also like that it can hold five pounds of seed, so I only had to refill once a week. If smaller birds feed on it, it takes a longer time to replenish the tube.

Now let’s talk about its squirrel-proofing. Some feeders have no squirrel-proofing that you have to purchase baffles and use creative techniques to keep the squirrels away. Others are weight-activated and will spin the squirrel endlessly until the squirrel gets thrown away. It might look funny, but I didn’t want to do that to those poor creatures, so I opted for this bird feeder that is also weight-activated but only closes the ports down to prevent squirrels from accessing the seeds. I love that all the parts are chew-proof as the critters would chew on the feeder whenever they get frustrated.

I was disappointed when two squirrels jumped on the feeder and stood on the perches because these broke the tension spring. This means this feeder can only manage one squirrel at a time. Nevertheless, I still think it’s the best squirrel-proof bird feeder.

Pros:

  • Completely squirrel-proof without harming the squirrels
  • Can accommodate different types of birds
  • Weight-sensitivity adjustment can deter bigger sized birds (if you want)
  • Can hold up to five pounds of seeds
  • Exposed parts are chew-proof

Cons:

  • Can only deter one squirrel at a time

8. Perky-Pet C00322 Red Cardinal Bird Feeder – Best for Cardinal

Perky-Pet-C00322-Red-Cardinal-Bird-Feeder

 

Perky Pet is one of my favorite brands, and it is one I rely on whenever there’s a new type of bird I’d like to attract. So when I wanted beautiful red cardinals to frequent my yard, I purchased the Perky-Pet C00322. And I wasn’t disappointed with the performance.

What I love most about this feeder is that it is really durable. I’ve had this one for three years now and it’s still as tough as when I first purchased it. Its red color really attracts cardinals to have a look. Even when it has been exposed to sun and rain and snow, there are no traces of rust, thanks to its zinc-plated finish.

It has a wide brim and platform, so the birds can easily stand on the sides or cling to the wire mesh. I saw up to ten cardinals feeding at the same time. Because of its mesh sides, the black sunflower seeds I place in them are aerated easily so they don’t moisten and form clumps.

The only downside to this feeder is that it can only hold up to two and a half pounds of seeds. If you have a lot of cardinals in the area like I do, this means you have to refill it once a day!

Pros:

  • Wide brim and platform accommodates a dozen birds
  • Very durable and lasts for years
  • Red color attracts cardinals and doesn’t fade
  • Rust-resistant because of the zinc finish

Cons:

  • Can only hold 2.5 pounds of seed

9. Songbird Essentials SE6019 – Best for Blue Jays

Songbird-Essentials-SE6019

 

When it comes to Blue Jays, the best type of food to offer them is whole peanuts. However, because of the peanut’s size, the usual type of feeder you can use is the platform feeder. The problem with using a platform feeder is that there is no weatherproofing of any sort. Good thing I found this unique wreath feeder by Songbird Essentials.

Blue jays and cardinals love this feeder. They can easily cling to the wire, grab a peanut and fly away. I can place up to ten pounds of whole peanuts, which means I only had to refill it once a week. The wire doesn’t loosen up through time so it’s a reliable feeder even after several refills.

Cleaning is easy too. I just remove the remaining nuts and scrub the wire for dirt. It dries easily because of its airy design.

What I don’t like about this bird feeder is that it also attracts a lot of squirrels. There’s nothing stopping squirrels from grabbing the nuts themselves. They sometimes clutch at the wire and just stay there, preventing the birds from getting any peanuts. What I did was attach a baffle on top and hung the feeder several meters away from where a squirrel can jump off from.

Apart from the squirrel issue, I believe this is the best Blue Jays Feeder, especially if you want to offer them whole nuts.

Pros:

  • Durable
  • Wire doesn’t loosen up
  • Can hold up to 10 lbs. of whole peanuts
  • Can be cleaned easily

Cons:

Songbird Essentials Whole Peanut Black Wreath Feeder for Squirrels and Blue Jays
  • The Songbird Essentials Whole Peanut Feeder Wreath Holds Unsalted Peanuts for Birds and Squirrels. Squirrels and Jays Can Pick them Right...
  • Basic Black Color Blends in to Surroundings. Birds and Squirrels Won't Fear the Food Source.
  • Use Only Unsalted Peanuts for Wildlife. This Wreath Feeder Holds Whole Peanuts in their Shells Perfectly.
  • This Bird and Squirrel Feeder Features a Spiral Wire that Takes a Little Effort to Remove Peanuts. Keeps Squirrels and Birds there Longer.
  • Intentionally Feeding Squirrels Keeps Them off Your Bird Feeders. Giving Squirrels Their Own Favorite Food Source will Help Keep Them Away...

10. Perky-Pet 325S Panorama Bird Feeder – The Best Tube Bird Feeder

Perky-Pet-325S-Panorama-Bird-Feeder

 

If you want to offer mix seeds to attract various kinds of colorful birds, I haven’t found anything that matches this tube feeder from Perky-Pet.

There’s so much to love about feeder. First off, this feeder has two circular perches. One is located at the bottom and the other is located in the middle. This means more bird can feed at a time. These rings and the top cover are all metal, which is great so that squirrels won’t be able to chew them off. The top cover has a locking mechanism that prevents squirrels from pulling the lid off and partaking of the seeds.

Second, it uses what they call an Evenseed technology, which basically means both upper and lower compartments will always have enough seed since the top half pours some of its own seeds down. You only have to refill when both top and bottom compartments have low level of seeds.

Finally, this bird feeder has a beautiful rustic finish that blends well in the environment. It actually looks classy. It has been powder coated so it doesn’t peel off easily (if it ever does).

The only thing I disapprove of is that when there are heavy rain showers, I find the seeds in the middle section clumping together. If left alone, this will cause molds. Every time it rains, I quickly put the feeder inside the house else the seeds inside will only go to waste.

All in all, I love this bird feeder from Perky-Pet. By the looks of it, the birds in my area do, too! This is what leads me to believe that this is the best tube bird feeder in the market today.

Pros:

  • Makes use of Evenseed technology to distribute seeds evenly on the top and bottom compartment
  • Squirrel-proof and chew-proof
  • Has a beautiful rustic finish that looks classy
  • Very durable

Cons:

  • Seeds clump up in the middle section after heavy rains

 


Other Important Factors To Consider

Bird-feeder

What is a hummingbird feeder?

Most likely, you’ve seen a hummingbird feeder in use. It stands to reason that since hummingbirds are the pinnacle of beauty and elegance, people would wish to assist them in their daily lives.

However, they require particular assistance to prevent starvation and choking from hummingbird seeds that become lodged in the feeder. This is where hummingbird feeders come in. But what are these feeders?

A bird feeder is simply a tool that you can use to provide food for your favorite birds. It has a space to place the bird food, a perch for birds to stand on, an option to make the food available to the birds such as an opening or a porthole, and housing with a roof to keep the food from going bad.

Also, a nectar container, a platform for the birds to rest on, and a barrier to stop ants and other insects from accessing the nectar are the standard components of hummingbird feeders. To give the hummingbirds a place to rest and cover from the elements, some hummingbird feeders also feature built-in shelters

How does it work?

It works by providing the bird access to the food using portholes, open bowls or open cages. Some feeders are simple: it has wide enough openings for birds to climb in or perch on so they can move towards the food. Some are more complicated, with mechanisms that open only for specific beak shapes and sizes in order to prevent other birds or creatures from trying to get their fill.

A sugar solution is used to create the nectar in hummingbird feeders, and the standard ratio is four parts water to one part sugar. Before being poured into the feeder, the sugar solution is heated to dissolve the sugar and then chilled. Because additional sweeteners, like honey, might be hazardous to hummingbirds, it is crucial to use a pure sugar solution.

What are the different types of hummingbird feeder?

Because there are different types of birds, there are also various types of bird feeders to match every bird’s needs. Here are some of the feeders that are available based on use:

  • Tube Feeder – as its name itself implies, this feeder makes use of a tube that is usually transparent. The tube has a bottom cover and is filled with seeds to the brim. A top cover is then placed to cap the tube. Birds are able to get seeds through the open slots or portholes. Sometimes it has perch rods so that birds can stand while eating as hovering around the tubes can be difficult.
  • Platform feeder – this type of feeder allows birds to freely stand on the platform. The food is placed either on the platform itself or on a bowl. One advantage of using this feeder is that it can accommodate a multitude of birds and bird types. The problem with this type of feeder is that there is usually no protection against the rain.
  • Cage feeder – this type of feeder does not actually imprison the birds; instead, the cage feeders allow only a bird of a specific size to enter and have access to the food. This prevents large birds from getting their fill, as well as large rodents from coming in.
  • House feeder – this is one of the most common types of feeders. It looks like a birdhouse where birds can feed and even sometimes build a nest in. It usually has a hole small enough to fit the bird you want to attract. This type of feeder makes them feel safe and protected while feeding.

Why do you need a hummingbird feeder?

Hummingbirds are incredibly fascinating animals, for starters. They are some of the smallest birds, yet they are also some of the most nimble, being able to fly quickly and hover in midair. Having a hummingbird feeder in your yard can provide you with hours of entertainment because they are so much fun to watch.

Hummingbirds are entertaining to watch, but they also have a crucial function in the environment. As they eat, they act as pollinators, assisting in the transmission of pollen from plant to plant. This encourages plants to produce fruit and seeds by fertilizing them. Hummingbirds contribute to the maintenance of the natural world, in other words.

You can always just set a bowl of bird seeds outside and let the birds feed on them freely. But the problem is, would birds really partake in this, or would a different creature dine first? And would your target birds be enticed enough by such a bland offer?

Bird feeders are special devices that entice specific birds and keep the food protected against the weather and other animals, making them a very useful item in your bird-watching arsenal.

These are all fantastic reasons you may need to invest in a hummingbird feeder in order to get the precious creatures in your yard with ease.


Frequently Asked Questions

faqs-birding

What are the most popular hummingbird feeder brands?

I’ve been bird watching more than a decade now, and I’ve tried almost everything, from the biggest brands down to the smallest ones. Several brands have become well known because of their high quality, great features, and even better customer service. The most popular brands of bird feeders are as follows:

  • First Nature
  • Brome
  • Perky Pet
  • Stokes Select
  • Songbird Essentials
  • Nature Gear
  • Kettle Moraine
  • Yankee Droll

How to keep ants out of hummingbird feeder?

There are a few ways to prevent squirrels from having access to your bird feeder. These are:

  • Baffles – these are either dome-shaped items or torpedo-shaped ones. This serves as a wall to prevent squirrels from gaining foot and jumping up (or down) to the bird feeder.
  • Weight-sensitive perches – when anything bigger and heavier than your expected bird size grabs or stands on the perch, the feeder’s openings automatically close down. This prevents that creature (whatever it is) from accessing the food allocated for birds.
  • Cage – such squirrel deterrents make use of wire enclosure that have gaps that can allow the birds to enter but will keep bigger squirrels out.
  • Battery operated deterrents – the functions of battery-operated anti-squirrel devices differ. One of the most common though is the spinning feeder that throws squirrels away the moment they grab on or land on the feeder. There’s also the electric shocking feeder which shocks squirrels the moment they touch the feeder. This one is usually remote controlled so that the device can be turned off when the user needs to clean or refill the feeder (to prevent shocking himself!)

Where to hang a hummingbird feeder?

Most bird feeders usually have their own hooks and strings ready for hanging. You can attach them at the end of strong branches, at a hook you attach in your porch, or at a bird feeder pole.

How to clean?

This depends on the type of the feeder. Typically though, the cleaning steps would be as follows:

  1. Unhook the bird feeder from where it is hanging and remove remaining seeds.
  2. Separate the parts such as cover, hanging rods, container, bottom portion, etc.
  3. Scrape off bird dropping on the perch rods, cage edges, roofs and wherever you see some.
  4. If there are some bird droppings that can’t be removed by scraping off, use a water hose to wash them away.
  5. Prepare a mix of water and soap in a bucket. Either dip the feeder in the bucket or use a sponge to get the soapy mix and scrub against the various parts.
  6. With a continuous water flow, rinse-off all the grime and the soapy water.
  7. Wipe away the excess moisture and let all the parts air dry.

Once it’s clean, put the pieces back together and add bird seeds. You should clean your feeder as often as once to four times a month (once a week). The more birds visiting your area, the more frequent the cleaning schedule should be because more birds mean more usage and even more droppings.

Where to buy?

Bird feeders are usually available at local home improvement stores such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Lowe’s. If there are pet shops in your area, you can find one there, too. Petco and PetSmart usually hold a lot of inventory.

If you have mobility problems or you simply don’t want to get out of the house to purchase a bird feeder, you can always order online at Amazon.com.


Conclusion

Birds are a great living decoration. If you have a lot of birds in your area, you have an opportunity not only to beautify your place but to also support our avian friends. You can prevent them from going hungry and migrating to other areas by providing them food that is slowly becoming harder for them to find.

Don’t settle for anything less than the best bird feeder. Buying something ordinary might not attract enough birds and might end up getting damaged earlier than expected. Bird watching is not a temporary hobby; it will last you years feeding birds in your garden. Your bird feeder must, therefore, last for a long while.

You will also like: Top 10 Best Bird Feeding Stations – Review Of 2023

Last update on 2023-09-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2 thoughts on “10 Best Bird Feeders: Bird Watching Expert’s Guide in 2023 Updated!”

  1. It’s three in the morning while I’m procrastinating on homework by watching the proper way of attracting birds. What am I doing?

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