Hi, I am Que’eh. My goal is to help you choose the right types of bird feeders for your backyard birding interests by exploring the 5 main categories of bird feeder types that specific birds love:
- Tube Bird Feeders
- Hopper Bird Feeders
- Platform Bird Feeders
- Window Bird Feeders
- Specialty Bird Feeders (10 types explained)
Every bird feeder possesses a unique design, purpose and functionality. Furthermore, new technologies, innovations and advancements in wild bird feeders and accessories now incorporates factors such as environmental friendliness, recyclability, natural and organic materials, trendiness, durability and improved bird hygiene.
Whether you are an experienced birder or a newcomer, choosing the right type of bird feeder is an essential step in establishing a dynamic and active bird sanctuary in your own backyard. I am here to help you derive the maximum benefits that comes with backyard bird watching and feeding. Let us first explore the importance of birdwatching.
The Mutual Benefits of Birding for You and Wild Birds
The Covid19 pandemic spiked interests in backyard birding, with growing demands for wild bird feeders and accessories, and newcomers seeking to create their own backyard bird haven. Whether its feeding, watching or photography, interactions with wild birds benefits both birds and humans. Wild bird feeding is one of the most popular interactions humans have with wildlife.
Backyard birding also attracts and supports local bird populations, ensures their nutritional well-being, and enhances environmental and wildlife conservations efforts by the Government and relevant organizations. Climate change also affects birds’ migration, feeding, breeding, adaptability and overall population. Backyard birding by bird enthusiasts helps protect birds and preserve species diversity. You also contribute to positive climate actions in your locality.
According to joint research by academics from the University of Exeter, the British Trust for Ornithology and the University of Queensland, people living in an environment with more birds, shrubs and trees are less likely to suffer from stress, anxiety and mood disorders such as depression.
Life on the fast lane in modern big cities, constantly being immersed into electronic gadgets and high-rise apartment-living can disconnect us from nature and become stressful. Such was my life until I was diagnosed with depression and near-mental breakdown. Moving to the periphery and connecting with nature and the birds helped me improve mentally and emotionally. Backyard birding is therapeutic for healing and recovery. It slows you down, bring you to the present and directs your senses towards the natural world.
Types of Bird Feeders
1. Tube Bird Feeders
Tube bird feeders are the most popular feeders, particularly the hanging tube bird feeders. As the name suggests, these feeders are long cylindrical tubes, typically made of plastic or metal. The translucent tube has multiple feeding ports and perches attached along its length. They are designed to hold various types of birdseed, such as sunflower seeds, nyjer (thistle) seeds, or mixed seed blends. The tube design helps protect the seed from the elements and allows birds to access the food easily while also providing a clear view for birdwatching enthusiasts.
SUITABLE FOR: Tube bird feeders are considered the best feeders for small birds. The feeder and the different types of seeds attract a wide variety of small birds, including finches, chickadees, sparrows, nuthatches.
2. Hopper Bird Feeders
This type of bird feeder is called “hopper” because it has a chamber or “hopper” that holds the birdseed. Hopper bird feeders are typically enclosed. They have a roof to protect the seed environmental factors like rain and snow. They are designed to have a platform or tray for birds to perch on while feeding. When birds land on the platform, their weight causes the seed to dispense gradually from the hopper into the feeding tray, making it accessible to them. They are versatile and are large capacity bird feeders that can hold a larger volume of seed compared to tube feeders.
SUITABLE FOR: Often used to attract a wide variety of bird species, including cardinals, blue jays, sparrows, chickadees, woodpeckers and finches.
3. Platform Bird Feeders
Platform bird feeders, also called tray bird feeders, consists of a flat tray or platform where birdseed or other bird food is placed. It may have a roof or cover to protect the food from the elements of nature, or it may be open-air. Platform feeders are versatile and can accommodate various types of birdseed, suet, fruit, or nuts. Platform bird feeders are often mounted on poles, hung from trees, or placed on the ground or elevated surfaces. Innovative designs are trendy and includes squirrel proof platform bird feeders that incorporates baffles to even keep uninvited visitors at bay.
SUITABLE FOR: The popularity of platform bird feeders can be attributed to its capacity to attract a wide range of bird species, including ground-feeding birds like sparrows, juncos, and doves, as well as larger birds such as cardinals and blue jays.
4. Window Bird Feeders
Window bird feeders are loved by small birds. They are designed to attach directly to the outside of a window, typically with a window bird feeder suction cup or other mechanisms. It gives you the best opportunity for close-up views of feeding birds from inside the home. These feeders are typically made of clear plastic or glass, providing an unobstructed view of the birds as they feed. They can be filled with a variety of bird foods, including seeds, suet, or nectar, depending on the types of birds you want to attract. Window bird feeders gives you a front-row seat into the beauty of birds without you having to leave the comfort of your bedroom or home. Isn’t that awesome?
SUITABLE FOR: Small birds like chickadees, titmice, and sparrows. Each type of feeder attracts different species of birds, so you can choose the feeder based on the birds you want to attract to your window.
5. Specialty Bird Feeders
Specialty feeders are unique bird feeders designed for specific purpose and functionalities like: attracting certain species of birds, dispensing certain types of bird food or it’s made to prevent other animals like squirrels and bees from the bird feeders. The table below is a non-exhaustive list of special bird feeders covered in this article.
| FEEDER TYPE | DESCRIPTION | PURPOSE |
| Suet Bird Feeds | Consists of wire cage or mesh container | Hold blocks of suet that attracts insect-eating birds like woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches. |
| Ground Bird Feeders | The feeder is placed on the ground | Designed for birds like sparrows, towhees, juncos, doves, and thrashers that primarily forage for food on the ground rather than in trees or at elevated feeders. |
| Nyjer Bird Feeders | A tube feeder with small openings | To dispense nyjer or thistle seeds. The seeds are very fine, so the feeder design prevents waste and helps keep the seed dry. Attracts small birds like finches. |
| Fruit Bird Feeders | A platform, tray or mesh bag | Provide fresh or dried fruits to fruit-eating birds. Fruit feeders are particularly popular for attracting birds like orioles, tanagers, waxwings, mockingbirds, and various species of thrushes. |
| Hummingbird Feeders | Shape of bright colored flowers that mimic a flower’s natural nectar source | Specially designed to attract various species of hummingbirds with their bright colors and sweet taste. Also called nectar bird feeders. |
| Peanut Bird Feeders | With mesh or wire openings that allows access to peanuts as bird food | Dispense whole or shelled peanuts for peanut-eating birds such as woodpeckers, jays, chickadees, nuthatches, and titmice. |
| Oriole Bird Feeders | Bright colors and vivid shapes, including nectar wells | For colorful songbirds orioles. |
| Wood Bird Feeders | Unique wood bird feeders carved out of logs | Rustic appearance and natural charm that attracts more birds. |
| Mealworm Bird Feeders | Designed to hold mealworms (whether dead or alive) | To attract insect-eating birds |
| Squirrel Baffles Bird Feeders | The squirrel baffle is built into the feeder | Makes the feeder squirrel-proof. Prevents squirrels from accessing bird feeder and eating bird food. |
1. Suet Bird Feeders
Suet bird feeders are designed to hold blocks of suet or suet cakes. They typically consist of a wire cage or mesh container that holds the “cakes”, which birds can cling to and feed from. Designs includes squirrel proof suet bird feeders and hanging types. Suet cakes are high-energy food made from animal fat that are perfect for the birds to feed in colder months.
SUITABLE FOR: Suet feeders attract insect-eating birds like woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, and other suet-loving birds.
2. Ground Bird Feeders
Ground bird feeders cater to birds that primarily forage on the ground, searching for seeds, insects, fruits and other food sources. This feeding method provides easy access to a variety of foods and reduces competition with canopy-feeding birds. However, it also exposes ground-feeding birds to greater risks from predators, necessitating vigilance while foraging.
SUITABLE FOR: Birds such as sparrows, towhees, juncos, doves, and thrashers are commonly observed feeding on the ground or hopping around in search of food.
3. Nyjer of Thistle Bird Feeders
Nyjer bird feeders are designed for dispensing nyjer (thistle) seed, harvested from the African yellow daisy plant. These feeders have small ports to allow finches access while preventing larger birds from consuming them. The design minimizes waste and keeps the seeds dry.
SUITABLE FOR: Finches like American goldfinches, house finches, pine siskins, and other small birds with tiny beaks. Nyjer bird feeders attract these finches, adding color and activity to backyard birdwatching areas.
4. Fruit Bird Feeders
Fruit feeders are specialized bird feeders designed to offer fresh or dried fruits to attract fruit-eating bird species. These feeders typically consist of a platform, tray, or mesh bag where fruits such as apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, or berries can be placed. They provide a natural and nutritious food source for birds, especially during seasons when fruits may be scarce. Fruit feeders can be hung from trees or placed on poles or hooks in gardens or backyard birding areas.
SUITABLE FOR: Fruit feeders are particularly popular for attracting birds like orioles, tanagers, waxwings, mockingbirds, and various species of thrushes.
5. Hummingbird Bird Feeders
Nectar bird feeders, commonly known as hummingbird feeders, are specialized devices designed to provide a sweet liquid solution to entice nectar-feeding birds such as hummingbirds. These feeders typically feature a reservoir for containing the nectar solution and one or more feeding ports with small, elongated openings that mimic the natural shape of flowers’ nectar sources. The nectar solution is typically created by blending water with sugar to replicate the inherent sweetness found in flowers. Hummingbird feeders can be crafted from glass, plastic, or other materials and are available in various shapes and sizes, including tube feeders, saucer feeders, or bottle feeders. They are commonly suspended from hooks or placed on poles in gardens, patios, or other outdoor areas frequented by hummingbirds.
SUITABLE FOR: Alluring hummingbirds through their vivid hues and enticing flavor.
6. Peanut Bird Feeders
Peanut bird feeders are specialized devices crafted to dispense whole or shelled peanuts, appealing to birds that have a preference for this specific food source. These feeders typically feature mesh or wire openings that permit birds access to peanuts while regulating the quantity they can retrieve. Various designs of peanut feeders, including tube feeders, hopper feeders, and tray feeders, cater to different avian species and their feeding behaviors. They are esteemed by ornithology enthusiasts for attracting a diverse array of bird species and offering vital energy resources, particularly during colder periods.
SUITABLE FOR: Birds that consume peanuts such as woodpeckers, jays, chickadees, nuthatches, and titmice.
7. Oriole Bird Feeders
Oriole feeders are specialized bird feeders designed to attract and provide food for orioles, colorful songbirds renowned for their vibrant plumage and preference for sweet treats. These feeders are typically adorned in bright colors like orange or red to catch the attention of orioles, who are drawn to vivid shades. They often include nectar wells or ports for offering sugary nectar solutions, along with perches or platforms for feeding on fruit, jelly, or mealworms. Oriole feeders can be found in various designs such as bottle feeders, saucer feeders, or fruit spike feeders.
They are typically suspended from hooks or branches in gardens or outdoor areas frequented by orioles, such as near flowering plants or fruit trees. Birdwatchers favor Oriole feeders for offering up-close sightings of these stunning birds and for enhancing their diets with nourishing food options.
SUITABLE FOR: Olioles
8. Wooden Bird Feeders
Wooden bird feeders are bird feeders crafted from hollowed-out logs or logs with cavities used to hold birdseed or other types of bird food. Large wooden bird feeders typically feature openings or drilled holes in the log to allow birds access to the food inside. Wood bird feeders are available in various shapes and sizes, ranging from basic logs with a single cavity to more intricate designs with multiple compartments or feeding ports. Their rustic appearance and natural charm not only attracts more birds but makes your backyard beautiful.
Wooden bird feeders can be placed on a platform, suspended from trees or positioned on poles or hooks in gardens or backyard birding areas. Not only do they offer birds a dependable source of food, but they also enhance outdoor spaces with a natural decorative touch.
SUITABLE FOR: Attracting a variety of bird species, including woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, and other cavity-nesting birds.
9. Mealworm Bird Feeders
Mealworm bird feeders are designed specifically to dispense mealworms, a favored food of many bird species, particularly insectivorous birds like bluebirds, wrens, and robins. These feeders often feature a simple, open design that makes the worms easily accessible to birds but challenging for other wildlife, such as squirrels, to pilfer. They can be filled with live or dried mealworms. Offering mealworms at bird feeders can help attract a variety of birds, providing bird watchers with excellent viewing opportunities and giving birds a reliable source of high protein nutrition, which is beneficial during breeding and migration seasons and cold winter months when insects are less available.
SUITABLE FOR: Worm-eating birds, like Bluebirds, Chickadees, Wrens, Robins, Nuthatches, Titmice
10. Squirrel Baffles Bird Feeders
Squirrel baffles bird feeders are specifically designed to prevent squirrels from gaining access to bird feeders or birdhouses. With recent innovation, certain bird feeders have been specifically designed to include a built-in baffle. These are commonly known as squirrel baffles bird feeders. Typically, they are large capacity bird feeders. The integrated feature offers convenience as there is no need to separately purchase baffles as components of the feeder. They are well-liked by avian enthusiasts for their robustness, durability, ease of assembly, and cleaning. These feeders provide a comprehensive solution with an incorporated squirrel-proof mechanism for bird feeding.
In essence, squirrel baffles provide an effective and humane solution for preventing squirrels from accessing bird feeders, enabling birds to eat undisturbed.
This type of built-in bird feeders are often confused with bird feeder squirrel baffles, which are add-ons or essential accessories to different bird feeders.
SUITABLE FOR: Preventing squirrels from accessing feeder and eating bird food.
Bird Feeding Dining Concepts
Consider backyard birding as a dining concept for your feathered invited guests. You are hosting a gathering of birds and it depends on your dining concept and the invitation to the bird community. To watch and enjoy the company of more birds and variety of species, proper feeder selection, placement and maintenance is crucial.
A Feeder that Compliments your Garden
Transforming your garden and backyard into a bird-haven is also about picking the ones that compliments your surroundings. Start by looking around your yard. Do you have large trees that offer good shelter? Is your outdoor space more open without much cover? Your environment plays a big role in what types of bird feeders and, consequently, which bird species you can attract.
Creating a Bird-Friendly Habitat
Attracting birds to your backyard goes beyond just choosing the right bird feeder types. It is also about providing a supportive environment that invites them to stay and bring more friends. Here are some things you could consider to make your backyard or garden a sustainable bird-haven:
Attracting birds to your backyard goes beyond just choosing the right bird feeder types. It is also about providing a supportive environment that invites them to stay and bring more friends. Here are some things you could consider to make your backyard or garden a sustainable bird-haven:
Creating a healthier and well-maintained bird habitat will bring in more birds and contribute to the conservation of local bird populations. By fostering a space that caters to their needs for food, water, and shelter, you’re supporting biodiversity right on your doorstep.
Ornitherapy
Humans equally benefit from backyard birding activities like bird feeding, watching, listening and photography. According to new scientific findings, lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress were associated with the number of birds people could see in the afternoons. People who spend time in outdoors and nature are also less likely to suffer from mood disorders like depression and mental health issues.
Ornitherapy is defined as the practice of mindful birding, a ground breaking approach to connecting with birds and nature. Through ornitherapy, we gain unique immersive experiences of the soundscapes of birds and the nature around us. It goes beyond just birdwatching to mindful exercises to engage our sensory awareness as we connect with nature and ourselves. Dethatching from life’s stresses, living in the present, deep listening, relaxation, better mental health and gratitude are some of the great benefits of ornitherapy.
I hope you found some useful information on bird feeder types and how to attract birds to new feeder using our bird feeding dining concept. I’d love to hear your thoughts. I also wish you all the best in your backyard birding. It’s one of the best hobbies with immense benefits – both for you and the birds!
Happy Birding!
