The Best Bird Feeders

Perky-Pet 312 Panorama Bird Feeder

Room for All Under the Sun (or Clouds)

With a simple cylindrical shape that's easy to load, you'll have the joys of backyard bird watching on even the coldest of days.

Best Overall

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This cylindrical bird feeder has a few key features that make this an excellent option for a backyard bird feeder. First, it has Sure-Lock caps that lock the lid in place, keeping squirrels and other pesky animals at bay. Next, the perch. The circular design with multiple attachment points, as well as the large seed tray, works to encourage birds to feed from a variety of angles. When the seeds are all gone, it’s super easy to detach all of the parts and clean as necessary. Both the cap and the perch have a powder-coated finish, which helps in resisting rust and keeping the bird feeder safe for birds through years of heavy traffic.

Pros:

• Attracts a variety of wild birds, including cardinals and nuthatches.
• Both large and small seeds work in this bird feeder.
• Seeds evenly flow onto the tray and then stop dispensing when the tray is full.
• 2 lb seed capacity.
• Very easy to fill.

Cons:

• A bit on the small side, so this bird feeder really is best for smaller species of birds.

Twinkle Star Wild Bird Feeder

Sittin' Pretty

The delicate design of this bronze-roofed bird feeder is almost as pretty to look at as the birds that feed on its perch.

Prettiest Feeder

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I’m a sucker for pretty details, so it was impossible to overlook this bird feeder. With a beautiful bronze hexagonal roof with tiny scale-like engravings and a bronze sitting tray, this bird feeder looks delightful in your backyard even without any winged visitors. And although this looks like a complicated design, it is anything but. With a twist lock cover, you can easily fill this bird feeder. Holding up to 2.15 pounds of seeds, you shouldn’t have to do it very often (unless you have a busy bird neighborhood, that is). As birds eat the seeds, more trickle down into the tray for a continual supply of food for the birds.

Pros:

• Easy to disassemble for a quick clean.
• Unique hexagon shape, from the roof to the panels to the tray.
• Roof provides ample protection from the rain.
• Appropriate for use even with large seeds.
• Elegant design features.

Cons:

• The plastic isn’t the most durable.

Nature Anywhere Window Bird House Feeder

I Can See Clearly Now

With suction cups that attach directly to your window, you can delight in watching your local birds feed up close and personal.

Best Window Feeder

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If you have an indoor kitty, beware: you’ll never get them away from the window again. Designed in the shape of a house, this completely clear bird feeder attaches to your window with powerful suction cups. With a sliding tray that makes refilling this bird feeder a cinch and no assembly required, you’ll be watching birds from your kitchen window faster than you can say “chickadee.” And although this is clear and attaches to your window, there’s no need to worry about it slipping and breaking. The suctions hold fast, and the construction is incredibly durable. In fact, there’s a lifetime guarantee just in case something does happen.

Pros:

• Squirrel-proof.
• Heavy-duty, weatherproof suction cups.
• Suitable for a variety of birds, including finches, cardinals, chickadees, and more.
• The sliding tray has a divider for two types of bird food.
• Easy to refill – just slide the tray out when it’s time.

Cons:

• The perch sits a bit high and isn’t adjustable.

Nature’s Way Bird Products Cedar Platform Tray Bird Feeder

Shoo Mold, Don't Bother Me

Cedar is naturally resistant to mold and bacteria. In combination with a tray-style feeder, this is an easy-access, safe, and healthy way to feed your neighborhood birds.

Best Tray Feeder

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Ideal for larger birds such as jays or woodpeckers, this hanging-mount, open-tray system allows for a mix of seeds and more space for larger birds. And as many birders will tell you, the safety of feeding birds is paramount to being a responsible birder. Made of the highest quality premium cedarwood (which is naturally insect- and rot-resistant), you’ll keep the health of the birds in mind as you’re enjoying their company. The wide tray design allows for accessibility in refilling, too.

Pros:

• Rust-free tray for keeping the health and safety of birds in mind.
• Tray easily lifts out to clean, preventing mold and disease.
• Water-based protective stain on the cedarwood.
• Large, open area allows for larger seeds (and birds).

Cons:

• Unless you hang this from an area and completely squirrel-proof it, this tray design is not a squirrel-proof design.

Brwoynn Hummingbird Feeder

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

There's something magical about hummingbirds. With 8 feeding stations on this hummingbird feeder, you can watch to your heart's content.

Best Hummingbird Feeder

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There’s something magical about hummingbirds. With tiny bodies and wings that beat so quickly it’s as if they are floating, hummingbirds are the sweet little beauties that backyard birdwatchers delight in discovering. That’s why this hummingbird feeder, with its 8 feeding stations, is such a find. Holding up to 16 fluid ounces of liquid, the simple design of this feeder ensures that you’ll catch sight of these magical birds. Made of durable polycarbonate with 8 rounded corners, this feeder is easy to clean. That’s important, as dirty feeders are a serious risk to the health of hummingbirds. Additionally, refilling the feeder is also easy. Simply take off the top portion of the feeder and refill it. With a perch that goes around the entire top, too, you can watch as hummingbirds sip the nectar, and if you’re lucky, you can witness them take a rest on the perch for a few seconds before flitting off.

Pros:

• The flower design of the nectar ports keeps ants and bees away, but allows for the hummingbird’s fragile beak to access it.
• Bright appearance attracts hummingbirds.
• Tightly sealed to prevent any leakage.
• Wind-proof.

Cons:

• The beak can not reach to the bottom of the feeder, so you’ll need to refill frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bird feeders safe for birds?

Curious if you’re doing more harm than good? No worries. As long as you’re practicing safe feeding habits, you shouldn’t be causing any harm. In fact, in particularly snowy, cold, or icy weather, your backyard bird feeder just might make all the difference for birds that might not find any food otherwise. As long as you’re being mindful of best practices, a bird feeder is a wonderful addition to your yard. So what exactly are these practices? This is by no means an exhaustive list, but some good starting points include offering food at various heights (different birds have different feeding habits), proving suet during cold weather only, never feeding human food, and making sure to clean up the scattered birdseed periodically. It’s also important to clean the actual feeder, too.

How can you discourage other animals from eating the bird food?

If by other animals you mean squirrels, well … good luck. They’re determined masterminds that seem to defy every barrier. Most folks put a bird feeder on a pole, away from any trees or shrub. But alas – squirrels can climb poles. If you put baffle cones around the pole with the widest part facing out and down, squirrels should have a more difficult time. This also discourages other animals, as well. And when it comes to bears, forget about it. Just remove your bird feeders until the risk is over.

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