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Types of Wild Bird Feeders

One of the easiest ways to attract wild birds is to setup several types wild bird feeders in various locations around the home. Usually you'll want to setup your wild bird feeders within easy view of a window for year round bird watching.

There are many types of wild bird feeders available today. The majority of them are made for seed... but there are several specialty feeders for liquids, suet, and peanuts.

Tray Feeders...
Tray feeders are usually rectangular and made from wood. The bottom of the feeder has a screen like material which seed is spread upon. Tray feeders are usually hung from a tree branch or any overhead object. They can also be mounted to deck rails, fence posts or stumps.

Tray feeders attract most species of wild birds. On the down side... they offer no protection from the elements or squirrels. Wild birds stand in the feeder to feed, they could soil the feed from their droppings. Often times the seed will be scratched out of the feeder falling to the ground... which will attract ground feeding birds, squirrels, and raccoons.

House type Feeders...
House or Hopper type feeders have walls and a roof. All of the seed is enclosed in the "house" which protects it from the elements. Most perching wild birds will be attracted to a House feeder.

House feeders hold a large quantity of any kind of seed with openings to dispense the seed on either a single side or both sides. Some house feeders have baskets for placing a suet block. House feeders are either hung from an overhead object or mounted to a pole, deck rail, or fence post.

Window Feeders...
One of the greatest advantages to window feeders is that you can get very close to the birds without disturbing them.

Window feeders are usually made of clear plastic so you can see thru them. One end of the window feeder has has two or more suction cups for attaching it to the window. Most window feeders are small house type feeders... although I've seen tray types too. Window feeders will be frequented by finches, titmice, sparrows, chickadees, or any other bird that is able to land on the feeder.

Occasionally window feeders loose the suction in the cups and will fall off the window. Cleaning the cups and window will usually correct the problem.

Tube Feeders... 
Tube feeders are long cylinders made of durable clear plastic. The top removes for re-filling the feeder. Depending on size, they can have 6 or more feeding stations which are made from metal. Tube feeders are generally hung from an overhead object.

Tube feeders protect seed from the elements quite well. If there hung from the eve of a house without gutters ... I'd suggest purchasing a plastic dome for the top of the feeder. Squirrels and Raccoons usually have a difficult time getting the seed from a tube feeder.

Any bird that can perch at the feeding station posts will feed from the feeder.

Thistle and Niger Feeders...
These feeders are a modified tube feeder with very small openings at the feeding stations. Usually they are suspended from an overhead object. Most song birds and finches will be attracted to a Thistle feeder.

Suet Feeders...
Suet feeders are wire cages usually coated with a rubberized or plastic coating. They can be hung from an over head object, or attached to trees, walls, deck rails, and fences.

Suet feeders attract woodpeckers, jays, starlings, nuthatches, chickadees, and titmice.

Peanut Feeders...
Peanut feeders are very similar in design to suet feeders, except the openings in the wire cage are about the same size as a peanut. Peanut feeders are usually hung from an over head object.

Hummingbird Feeders...
Hummingbird feeders are a container that holds liquid sugar solutions. The caps and feeding stations are usually bright red in color to attract hummingbirds. They are made in tube (bottle) and saucer shapes in either glass or plastic. Most have bee guards... which doesn't seem to keep bees and wasps from getting to the nectar. Hummingbird feeders are available in either hanging or window mount configurations.  

Hummingbird nectar needs to be changed every few days, especially if the feeder in hanging in direct sunshine. Saucer shaped feeders are the best choice for sunny locations. Clean the feeder each time it is refilled. When purchasing a hummingbird select one that is easy to disassemble and clean.

Cats and Feeders...
Birds aren't the only thing attracted to your feeder. Neighborhood cats are attracted to the feeder too! Keep this in mind when setting up your feeding station. It's best to set up your feeders in open areas so the wild birds can spot a cat approaching.

Now that we know all about feeders let's learn about...
Choosing the right Food for Feeding Wild Birds

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