On this page:
Tray or platform
House or hopper
Tube
Nyjer
Suet
Hummingbird
Peanut
Make your own |
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The ideal bird feeder is sturdy enough to withstand winter weather, tight enough to keep seeds dry, large enough so you do not have to refill it constantly, and easy to assemble and clean. Plastic or metal feeders are generally easier to keep clean than wooden ones.
In general, seed-feeders fall into three categories: tray feeders, hopper feeders, and tube feeders. Additional specialty feeders include suet, hummingbird, and peanut feeders. Each type attracts different kinds of birds, and has advantages and disadvantages.
 Tray or platform feeder
A platform feeder is any flat, raised surface onto which
bird food is spread. Trays attract most species of feeder birds, but without a baffle, they offer no
protection against squirrels or chipmunks. A platform with a roof will help keep seeds dry. The platform should have plenty of drainage holes to prevent water accumulation. Tray feeders placed near the
ground are most likely to attract juncos, doves, and sparrows. |
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House or hopper feeder
A hopper feeder is a platform upon which walls and a
roof are built, forming a “hopper” that protects seed fairly well against the
weather. Hoppers are attractive to most species of feeder
birds, from small birds such as chickadees to large birds such as jays. Most hoppers hold
a good quantity of seed. Few are weather resistant, however, so the food may get wet and moldy
if it sits for a few days. |
Tube feeder A tube feeder is a hollow cylinder, often made of
plastic, with multiple feeding ports and perches. Tube feeders keep seed fairly
dry, and they are somewhat squirrel resistant. Their attractiveness to various bird
species depends on the size of the perches under the feeding ports: short perches
accommodate small birds such as finches, but exclude larger birds such as grackles and
jays. The size of the feeding ports varies as well depending on the type of seed to be offered. |
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Nyjer
feeder
Nyjer feeders are special tube feeders designed with extra-small
openings to dispense tiny nyjer seeds, also known as thistle seed. These feeders attract a
variety of finches.
Suet feeder
A suet feeder is any wire-mesh cage or bag,
such as an onion bag, which holds suet or suet mixture. Suet cages that are only open at the
bottom tend to be starling-resistent but allow woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees to feed by clinging upside down. Suet also can be tied to trees or smeared into knotholes. |
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Hummingbird feeder A hummingbird feeder is a specially made bottle or tube, usually
constructed of glass or plastic, that dispenses nectar through small holes.
When choosing a feeder, make sure it is easy to take apart and clean, because the feeder should
be washed thoroughly or run through the dishwasher frequently. (See “Nectar” under
"What to Feed Birds" for sugar-water recipe.) |
Peanut
feeder
A peanut feeder is a wire-mesh cage, often cylindrical, with large holes for shelled peanuts.
Several species, including jays, nuthatches, and woodpeckers, readily consume peanuts.
Make-your-own
feeder
Many FeederWatchers construct their own feeders.
Some have made feeders from materials such as moose antlers and tree bark; others have
simply smeared pine cones with a peanut butter/corn meal/suet mix, then hung them in
trees. Have fun creating your own feeder, but be sure to avoid sharp edges on which birds can be harmed or crevices
in which they can be trapped.
Illustration of hummingbird feeder by Julie Zickefoose, all other illustrations by Sam J. Norris. |
