Bird watching is a popular hobby for many people. Setting up bird feeders in your backyard or garden can attract a variety of beautiful and interesting birds to observe. But with so many types of bird feeders available, which style actually attracts the most birds?
In this article, we’ll compare four of the most common bird feeder styles – hopper, tube, platform, and suet feeders. We’ll look at the features of each feeder, what types of birds they tend to attract, and how many birds they can accommodate at one time. Read on to find out which feeder style attracts the most feathered visitors!
Hopper Bird Feeders
Hopper feeders, also known as house feeders, are enclosed feeders that typically hold a large amount of birdseed. The seeds are dispensed down to tray or platform as birds feed. Hopper feeders are commonly made of wood or plastic and have a roof to help keep seeds dry.
Pros
– Holds a lot of seed – less frequent refilling needed
– Roof protects seeds from getting wet
– Feeding tray/platform provides space for multiple birds
– Dispenses seeds automatically as birds feed
Cons
– More expensive than simple platform feeders
– Not good for smaller birds who can’t reach feeding tray
– Seed can get stuck and clog the openings
Birds Attracted
Larger bird species that can perch on the feeding tray like:
– Cardinals
– Blue jays
– Doves
– Grackles
– Juncos
– Sparrows
– Woodpeckers
Number of Birds
The feeding platform allows 3-5 birds to feed at once. More could try crowding on!
Tube Bird Feeders
Tube feeders are cylindrical transparent containers with multiple perches and feeding ports. The transparent design allows you to monitor seed levels. Tubes range in size from holding just a couple pounds of seed to over 5 pounds. They are made of plastic, glass, or acrylic.
Pros:
– Allows easy monitoring of seed level
– Feeding ports accommodate more birds at once
– Tubes keep seeds fresh longer
– Easy to clean and fill
Cons:
– Not squirrel or large bird proof
– Seed can get wet if not properly covered
– Perches may allow bigger birds to crowd out smaller ones
Birds Attracted:
Tube feeders attract small-to-medium sized birds that can cling to the perches like:
– Finches
– Chickadees
– Nuthatches
– Titmouse
– Sparrows
– Woodpeckers
Larger birds may have a hard time accessing the ports or perching.
Number of Birds:
The multiple ports allow tube feeders to easily accommodate 6-12 birds at once.
Platform Bird Feeders
As the name suggests, platform feeders are simple flat trays or platforms used to hold birdseed. They are uncovered and have no perches or ports. Platforms come in a range of sizes and shapes from simple boards to more intricate wrought iron stands.
Pros:
– Inexpensive to buy
– Accommodates many birds at once
– Allows easy observation of birds
– Easy to clean
Cons:
– No protection from rain
– Seed can be scattered by birds
– Bulky birds may hog the feeder
Birds Attracted:
Platform feeders attract all types of birds, both small and large including:
– Sparrows
– Finches
– Cardinals
– Jays
– Doves
– Grackles
– Starlings
– Juncos
Larger birds like doves and grackles will feel comfortable feeding on a platform. Ground feeding birds can easily clean up any spilled seeds.
Number of Birds:
Platform feeders can accommodate the largest number of birds at one time – anywhere from 8-15 birds potentially. The open design allows easy access for many birds to share.
Suet Feeders
Suet feeders hold suet cakes or plugs made of fat, nuts, seeds, and fruit to attract insect-eating birds. Suet offers high energy food in winter when insects are scarce. Suet feeders have built-in cages or tails to hold the suet block. They are made of metal mesh, wood, plastic, or wire.
Pros:
– Provides high energy food
– Attracts desirable insect-eating birds like woodpeckers
– Allows birds to cling while feeding
– Discourages squirrels
Cons:
– Needs to be refilled frequently
– Can melt in heat
– Open design lets seeds fall through
Birds Attracted:
Suet feeders attract birds that cling and peck like:
– Woodpeckers
– Nuthatches
– Chickadees
– Wrens
– Creepers
– Warblers
– Starlings
Number of Birds:
The small size only allows 1-3 birds to feed at a time. So suet feeders attract fewer birds overall.
Comparing the Feeders
Now that we’ve looked at the features and benefits of hopper, tube, platform, and suet feeders, how do they compare in terms of attracting birds? Here is a quick overview:
Amount of Seed
– Hopper feeders hold the most seed
– Tube feeders hold a medium amount of seed
– Platform feeders hold a small amount of seed
– Suet feeders hold just suet cakes
Weather Protection
– Hopper feeders offer the most protection from rain with a roof
– Tube feeders offer some protection from elements
– Platform and suet feeders are open and offer no protection
Types of Birds Attracted
– Hopper feeders attract larger species of birds
– Tube feeders attract small-to-medium sized birds
– Platform feeders attract birds of all sizes
– Suet feeders attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees
Number of Birds at Once
– Platform feeders allow the largest number of birds to feed together
– Tube feeders allow a medium number of birds to feed
– Hopper feeders allow small-medium number of birds
– Suet feeders only allow 1-3 birds at once
This comparison shows that platform bird feeders allow the most birds to feed simultaneously. The open design and seed accessibility attracts both small and large birds. While tube feeders also attract many birds, they cater more to smaller chickadees, finches, and titmouse who can cling to the perches. And suet feeders only allow a couple birds to feed at once.
Choosing a Bird Feeder
So if you want to maximize the number of birds in your backyard, a platform feeder is likely the best choice. But there are some other factors to consider as you choose a feeder.
Type of Birds
If you hope to attract specific species, consider a feeder design made for them. For example, to bring colorful finches, a tube feeder with thistle seed is ideal. Woodpeckers will come for suet. And jays and cardinals like hopper or platform feeders.
Seed Protection
If you live in a wet climate, an enclosed hopper or tube feeder will keep seed dry longer. Platform feeders leave seed exposed.
Pest Prevention
Opening caps or mesh bottoms can help deter squirrels on hopper and tube feeders. Platform and suet feeders are prone to squirrel invasion.
Capacity
For longer intervals between refilling, a large capacity hopper feeder is best.
Number of Birds
As mentioned, platform feeders allow the most birds to share. But also consider the species and whether overcrowding could occur.
Budget
Simple platform feeders are cheapest. Enclosed hopper and tube feeders are more expensive.
Conclusion
In the end, the “best” feeder depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you want to maximize total number of birds, a large platform feeder is a great starting point. You can always add other feeder styles to meet the needs of specific species. Consider factors like the types of birds you want to attract, protection from weather and pests, capacity, and your budget. And be sure to observe the feeders once in use – you may need to try a few styles to find what works best. The bird watching rewards will be exciting no matter what feeder you choose!
References
Hopper Bird Feeder
Pros | Cons | Birds Attracted | Number of Birds |
Holds a lot of seed – less frequent refilling needed | More expensive than simple platform feeders | Larger bird species like cardinals, jays, doves, grackles | 3-5 at once |
Roof protects seeds from getting wet | Not good for smaller birds who can’t reach tray | ||
Feeding tray/platform provides space for multiple birds | Seed can get stuck and clog the openings | ||
Dispenses seeds automatically as birds feed |
Tube Bird Feeder
Pros | Cons | Birds Attracted | Number of Birds |
Allows easy monitoring of seed level | Not squirrel or large bird proof | Finches, chickadees, nuthatches, titmouse, sparrows | 6-12 at once |
Feeding ports accommodate more birds at once | Seed can get wet if not covered | ||
Tubes keep seeds fresh longer | Perches may allow bigger birds to crowd out smaller ones | ||
Easy to clean and fill |
Platform Bird Feeder
Pros | Cons | Birds Attracted | Number of Birds |
Inexpensive to buy | No protection from rain | Sparrows, finches, cardinals, jays, doves, etc. | 8-15 at once |
Accommodates many birds at once | Seed can be scattered by birds | ||
Allows easy observation of birds | Bulky birds may hog the feeder | ||
Easy to clean |
Suet Feeder
Pros | Cons | Birds Attracted | Number of Birds |
Provides high energy food | Needs to be refilled frequently | Woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, wrens | 1-3 at once |
Attracts desirable insect-eating birds | Can melt in heat | ||
Allows birds to cling while feeding | Open design lets seeds fall through | ||
Discourages squirrels |