Bird feeders provide an excellent way for you to attract and feed migratory and local birds. They’re an excellent way to supply
bird food to the birds. If you’re a bird lover or enthusiast, you need the right feeder installed around your home to lure the right type of birds. Since there are various feeders on the market, you need to assess your needs to find out the most suitable bird feeder for you.
Many people are attracted to birds of all kinds, and love the idea of birds visiting their homes. Bird feeders can lure specific kinds of birds to your yard, making for exceptional bird watching from the comfort of your home. If you have a special interest in ecological sustainability, the feeders can enable you to offer sufficient food to birds during periods when food becomes sparse.
When shopping for bird feeders, you must first determine the type you want. Bird feeders, unlike
bird cages, are built differently to attract specific bird species. The material, shape, and color of feeders can influence the kind of bird species it attracts. Whereas some feeders are ideal for certain seasons of the year, others are designed for use in specific environments.
Platform and tray bird feeders attract various bird species ranging from grosbeaks and sparrows to pigeons and starlings. They’re built with screened seed containers to support optimal drainage. However, these feeders require lots of maintenance to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. Window feeders are placed on windows for closer bird watching and can be a variation of house or platform feeders.
House and hopper feeders, just like platform and tray feeders, lure diverse bird species. Although they’re designed to offer seed protection from fecal and water contamination, the feeders are hard to clean. Tube feeders, on the other hand, come in different perch sizes and hold feeds or seeds in the hollow tubes. They prevent buildup of waste and moisture, atop keeping away larger birds such as grackles and jays.
Suet feeders keep logs or blocks of rendered fat to lure chickadees, starlings, woodpeckers, and jays.
Hummingbird feeders, however, attract birds that feed on liquid such as nectar.
Price
The type, material, size/weight, capacity, and the number of feeding ports a bird feeder has influence its price. Bird feeders with high capacities are generally more expensive than their counterparts with low capacities. Metal bird feeders are also more costly than plastic ones. Cheap bird feeders might be made from poor-quality materials, meaning they can’t last long. Avoid these types of feeders if you intend to lure birds to your yard for a long time.
Consider feeders sold in packs containing other essentials—such as birdbaths and perches—for a good bargain. With prices ranging from $10 to $100, there’s a good bird feeder out there for every budget. Buy what’s bound to give you value for your money. Premium feeders made from metal or weatherproof wood can cost more than their ordinary counterparts.
Features
Bird feeders come in various types and designs to attract different birds. They’re also built with various capacities to hold enough food for the birds. Similarly, you need the right size to accommodate sufficient food for the birds. And it needs to be lightweight for easy portability and installation anywhere in your yard to lure specific birds.
Here are the important features to look out for in bird feeders:
- The right type such as tube, suet, hummingbird, etc.
- Materials such as wood, plastic, metal, etc.
- The right capacity to hold sufficient feeds for the birds
- Bright or dull colors
- Lightweight and portable size
- The right number of feeding ports
With the right bird feeder, you won’t just lure your desired bird species to your yard, but you will also get them to raise their families by your house. And that makes for some very cheerful, musical mornings.
Construction and Design
Shopping for bird feeders? Here are some factors to consider so you pick the right feeder for the type of birds you intend to attract to your yard. You can expect exceptional bird watching from the comfort of your home.
Type – Decide whether you want a platform and tray, window, suet, tube, house and hopper, or hummingbird bird feeder. The feeder you choose depends on the kinds of bird species you want to lure to your yard.
Materials – Bird feeders are made from various materials such as plastic, wood, and metal. Wood feeders should be water-resistant. Opt for cedar feeders if you want lingering scent to attract birds for an amazing sensory experience. Although plastic feeders are susceptible to damage by squirrels, they’re among the most affordable on the market.
You can find feeders with metal reinforcements to prevent damages. On the other hand, metal feeders are the easiest to clean and the most durable.
Capacity – Depending on the number of birds you want to attract, choose the right feeder capacity to hold enough food. The more the number of birds you want to watch in your yard, the larger the bird feeder capacity should be.
Color – Birds use colors to make decisions. The color of a bird feeder determines the range and type of birds it can lure. You can attract various birds using brightly-colored bird feeders. Bright colors represent sources of viable food for various birds. However, certain colors appeal to certain birds. Birds with nervous temperaments such as doves and quails are attracted by dull colors such as brown, green, or gray for camouflage.
Size/Weight – Bird feeders are generally portable but sturdy. Find one you can easily move around your yard to find the right position for placement or installation. It should be lightweight for easy portability and of a suitable size to support the same.
Number of Feeding Ports – Choose the right number of feeding ports you want on your bird feeder. The more the birds you intend to lure, the more the number of feeding ports your chosen feeder should come with.
Performance and Ease of Use
A functional bird feeder of the right type will see birds returning to your yard for more food, baths, and fresh water to drink. Buy a feeder that’s easy to empty for cleaning and filling with fresh food. If you’re buying plastic feeders, ensure they have metal reinforcements around the feeding ports to prevent damages caused by squirrels. Opt for replaceable dowels or metal perches for the birds to rest.
Wooden bird feeders should be painted, stained, or made from weather-resistant cedar for protection from moisture. A feeder goes hand in hand with a water feature or birdbath to lure even more bird species to your yard. Install the feeders away from predators—such as cats—that might scare away the birds.
If you want the birds to live nearby and raise their families around your yard, consider buying and installing birdhouses and nest boxes. Also make sure your chosen bird feeder is of the right color to lure the right birds. In general, all bird feeders are designed to be outside and withstand different weather conditions, so they are likely to last a long time.
Armed with knowledge on how to select the best bird feeder, it is only prudent to examine the qualities of the featured five top wild bird feeders from trustworthy manufacturers. Each selected product has unique qualities that make it special in performance. Find out if one of our recommended bird feeders is what you need.
Knowing the species of birds you want to attract is important when determining the type of feeder you’ll use. This helps you outline your needs in terms of bird feeder size and design. We hope that you’ll start your search by browsing our list of five top bird feeders from trusted brands, and then get one that tickles your fancy. In case you need something different, check out our other bird feeder reviews.
