Having multiple bird feeders in your backyard is a great way to attract a variety of bird species. But with so many types of feeders available, how do you know which ones to get? The best approach is to have a combination of different feeders that meet the needs of different birds. Here’s a look at some of the most popular feeder types and what birds they attract.
Tube Feeders
Tube feeders, also known as cylinder or sock feeders, are glass or plastic tubes with multiple feeding ports and a seed reservoir at the bottom. They are ideal for dispensing small seeds like nyjer thistle, millet, and sunflower seeds. With their multiple perches, tube feeders allow multiple birds to feed at once. They are excellent for attracting common backyard birds like:
- Finches
- Chickadees
- Titmouse
- Nuthatches
- Goldfinches
- Pine siskins
- Purple finches
Get a tube feeder with small perch sizes to discourage larger birds. Place the feeder near trees or shrubs so birds have a place to perch before and after visiting.
Tube Feeder Table
Tube Feeder Features | Benefits |
---|---|
Small seeded blends like nyjer and millet | Attracts small finches like goldfinches |
Multiple perches | Allows multiple birds to feed at once |
Small perch size | Discourages larger birds |
Near trees or shrubs | Gives birds a place to perch before/after eating |
Hopper or House Feeders
Hopper or house feeders have an enclosed structure with transparent sides, a roof, perches, and a large seed reservoir at the bottom. The sides provide protection from the elements while allowing you to see visiting birds. Hopper feeders are excellent for various common feeder birds, including:
- Cardinals
- Grosbeaks
- Blue jays
- Sparrows
- Chickadees
- Nuthatches
- Titmouse
Use hopper feeders to offer sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, cracked corn, and other large seeds birds prefer. The roof keeps seeds dry, so they won’t sprout or rot. Place the hopper feeder in a visible area of your yard to attract birds.
Hopper Feeder Table
Hopper Feeder Features | Benefits |
---|---|
Enclosed structure with roof | Protects seeds from elements |
Large seed reservoir | Holds more seeds so refilling is less frequent |
Visibility | Allows you to see visiting birds up close |
Large seeds like sunflower | Attracts larger bird species |
Platform Feeders
As their name suggests, platform feeders are open platforms that hold birdseed, with a raised mesh bottom and simple perches. They allow easy access for all birds and accommodate larger seeds. Platform feeders attract birds like:
- Mourning doves
- Jays
- Cardinals
- Grosbeaks
- Sparrows
- Finches
- Chickadees
Use platform feeders to offer cracked corn, millet, milo, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and other large seeds and nuts. The drainage from the mesh bottom keeps seeds fresh. Place platform feeders on the ground or on an elevated stand.
Platform Feeder Table
Platform Feeder Features | Benefits |
---|---|
Open platform design | Allows easy access for birds |
Mesh or grated bottom | Allows drainage to keep seeds fresh |
Holds large seeds | Attracts birds that prefer larger seeds |
Raised or ground placement | Accessible for ground feeding birds |
Suet Feeders
Suet feeders hold suet cakes, an energy-dense food made from animal fat and seed bits. Suet provides an excellent source of calories for birds during winter. Typical suet feeder visitors include:
- Woodpeckers
- Nuthatches
- Chickadees
- Titmouse
- Wrens
- Starlings
- Jays
Suet feeders come in mesh onion bags, metal cages, and small plastic trays. Hang or mount them from trees, posts, or a freestanding suet feeder stand. Be sure to get a style that prevents larger birds from hogging the suet.
Suet Feeder Table
Suet Feeder Features | Benefits |
---|---|
Holds suet cakes | Provides high-calorie winter food |
Mesh onion bags or metal cages | Allows smaller birds access while preventing larger birds from hogging |
Hanging or mounted | Keeps suet away from predators |
Nyjer Feeders
Nyjer, also called thistle seed, is a tiny, oil-rich seed perfect for small finches. To accommodate nyjer’s tiny size, specialized feeders have tiny ports and very small perches. Nyjer feeders attract dainty birds like:
- Goldfinches
- Pine siskins
- Purple finches
- Chickadees
- Redpolls
Nyjer feeders often have very small perches and ports, as well as built-in mesh filters to ensure only whole nyjer seeds come out. Use nyjer feeders to avoid waste and draining issues from the tiny seeds. Hang nyjer feeders near other feeders to attract goldfinches and pine siskins.
Nyjer Feeder Table
Nyjer Feeder Features | Benefits |
---|---|
Super small ports and perches | Accommodates tiny nyjer seeds and small bird species |
Built-in mesh filter | Prevents seed waste and drainage issues |
Hanging near other feeders | Attracts speciality birds like goldfinches and pine siskins |
Oriole Feeders
Orioles eat fruit, nectar, and insects — not seeds. That’s why they need a special feeder to offer their preferred foods. Oriole feeders have:
- Nectar reservoirs
- Bright orange colors
- Perches to hang fruit slices
Oriole feeders attract striking birds like:
- Orioles
- Tanagers
- Grosbeaks
- Hummingbirds
Fill the nectar reservoirs with sugar water and hang halved oranges, grapes, or other fruit. Place oriole feeders high in deciduous trees when orioles migrate in the spring.
Oriole Feeder Table
Oriole Feeder Features | Benefits |
---|---|
Nectar reservoirs | Holds sugar water for orioles |
Orange color | Attracts orange and black orioles |
Fruit skewers | Holds fruit slices for orioles |
High tree placement | Reach migrating orioles |
Hummingbird Feeders
Hummingbirds sip nectar from colorful, nectar-filled feeders. Hummingbird feeders have:
- Built-in nectar reservoirs
- Bright red colors
- Perches and feeding ports
To attract hummingbirds, fill the reservoir with sugar water. Clean it regularly to prevent mold. Hang hummingbird feeders near gardens, especially those with tubular red flowers. Hummingbird feeders attract these tiny birds:
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds
- Rufous hummingbirds
- Anna’s hummingbirds
- Allen’s hummingbirds
- Calliope hummingbirds
Hummingbird Feeder Table
Hummingbird Feeder Features | Benefits |
---|---|
Built-in nectar reservoirs | Stores nectar for hummingbirds |
Bright red color | Attracts hummingbirds |
Near gardens and red flowers | Accessible for visiting hummingbirds |
Mealworm Feeders
While most feeders offer seeds, mealworm feeders dispense wriggling live mealworms. The movement catches the eye of seed-eating birds. Mealworm feeders have:
- A mealworm reservoir
- Space to prevent crowding
- Protection from elements
Mealworm feeders attract insect-loving birds like:
- Chickadees
- Nuthatches
- Wrens
- Bluebirds
- Woodpeckers
- Robins
The worm reservoir keeps mealworms fresh longer than an open dish would. Place covered mealworm feeders near trees or shrubs.
Mealworm Feeder Table
Mealworm Feeder Features | Benefits |
---|---|
Mealworm reservoir | Stores live mealworms |
Covered design | Protects mealworms from elements |
Ample space | Prevents crowding so all birds can access worms |
Window Feeders
As their name implies, window feeders suction-cup right onto windows for up-close birdwatching. Window feeders attract shy, small birds like:
- Chickadees
- Finches
- Nuthatches
- Titmouse
Use window feeders to offer nyjer seed or safflower. Make sure the feeder has drainage holes, perches, and suction cups/hooks to properly mount on glass. Place them on windows where you can watch the birds!
Window Feeder Table
Window Feeder Features | Benefits |
---|---|
Suction cups or window hooks | Allows mounting right on glass for viewing |
Drainage holes | Prevents wet seeds from sticking |
Nyjer or safflower seeds | Draws in small birds |
Conclusion
Attracting a variety of birds requires offering a variety of feeder types and foods. Include tube, hopper, platform, suet, nyjer, oriole, hummingbird, mealworm, and window feeders. Use quality seeds and clean nectar to keep birds satisfied. Adjust feeder placement and food offerings by season. Soon your yard will be teeming with feathered friends!
With a diverse combination of feeders near trees and shrubbery, you can attract many coveted backyard birds. Tube feeders lure in goldfinches, chickadees, titmouse and more while hopper feeders draw cardinals, jays, grosbeaks and others. Mealworms entice insect-loving birds like woodpeckers and nuthatches. Add suet for woodpeckers and wrens, nyjer for finches, and oriole and hummingbird feeders to attract these special birds.
The best feeder combination includes:
- 1-2 tube feeders filled with nyjer and sunflower seeds
- 1 hopper feeder for large seeds like sunflower seeds
- 1 suet feeder filled with suet cakes
- 1 nyjer feeder stocked with nyjer
- 1 oriole feeder filled with sugar water
- 1 hummingbird feeder filled with sugar water
- 1-2 mealworm feeders filled with live mealworms
- 1-2 window feeders mounted on windows
With this optimal combination of bird feeders filled with appropriate foods and placed properly, you’ll have a thriving, diverse flock of birds visiting your backyard. The variety will give tons of enjoyment as you observe the birds and their behaviors.