Wild birds are some of nature’s most fascinating creatures and just watching them go about their day is guaranteed to brighten ours. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to look out your window practically any time of day and see them enjoying your landscape? Luring them to your yard is as simple as knowing how to feed them. Below is a listing of the best wild bird feeders you can buy for your yard. They are ordered by popularity, the top being the most popular.
7 Best Wild Bird Feeders
- PLASTIC CLASSIC BIRD FEEDER -Attract birds searching for food. Let birds inhabit and enjoy seed food, then you could see birds from windows, decks or terraces.
- CONSIDERATE DESIGN - Comes fully assembled and ready to hang. With its hexagon shape, the bird feeder features an inclined roof to shade birds from the sun and rain. When the seeds are eaten, more...
- LARGE CAPACITY - Holds up to 2.15 lb of seeds. It could be filled with a variety of seeds to attract birds, such as black oil sunflower seeds, safflower seeds to attract red finches, tits, house...
- EASY TO FILL & CLEAN - Bird feeder is equipped with a twist lock cover to keep the lid safely closed and the seeds are fresh and dry inside. The clear panels make it easy to inspect seed levels. When...
- NOTE- Please check the bird feeder once a week to see if there are insects or fungi, and wash it regularly with mild soap and water solution. If for any reason you're not 100% SATISFIED, please let us...
- LARGE CAPACITY: Built-in dual seed compartments can hold up to 10 pounds of bird seed
- NATURAL FEEDING POSITIONS: Birds can cling to the screen, sit on the perch or tray, or hang upside-down
- SEED DIVERTER: Seed diverter design helps to keep seed fresh and moving bird seed into feeding area
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: The all metal design has a powder coated finish is an attractive copper tone to withstand all weather conditions
- EASY FILL: Bird feeder has a screw top design allowing easy access to refill
- GREEN PLASTIC CLASSIC BIRD FEEDER: Attract birds searching for food. Let birds inhabit and enjoy seed food, then you could see birds from windows, decks or terraces.
- CONSIDERATE DESIGN: Comes fully assembled and ready to hang. With its hexagon shape, the bird feeder features an inclined roof to shade birds from the sun and rain. When the seeds are eaten, more...
- LARGE CAPACITY: Holds up to 2.15 lb of seeds. It could be filled with a variety of seeds to attract birds, such as black oil sunflower seeds, safflower seeds to attract red finches, tits, house...
- EASY TO FILL & CLEAN: Bird feeder is equipped with a twist lock cover to keep the lid safely closed and the seeds are fresh and dry inside. The clear panels make it easy to inspect seed levels. When...
- NOTE: Please check the bird feeder once a week to see if there are insects or fungi, and wash it regularly with mild soap and water solution. If for any reason you're not 100% SATISFIED, please let us...
- Package include: red roof house bird feeders, size: 12.4 x 8.6 x 8.2 inch
- Transparent plastic design: easy for birds to see the food in the bird feeder and attract more birds to eat.
- How to use: Open the lid in the middle of the red roof, put the bird food into the bird feeder, cover the lid, and hang the bird feeder under the eaves or in the garden.
- Easy to clean: The red roof can be removed entirely, and the inside of the bird feeder can be easily cleaned with a brush.
- Red roof: bright color help attract more birds
- Package include: gazebo bird feeders, size: 7.9 x 8.6inch, holds up to 2.15 lb of seeds.
- Transparent plastic design: easy for birds to see the food in the bird feeder and attract more birds to eat.
- Buckle design: The bird feeder is designed with a buckle on the top and bottom. The flexible buckle makes the bird feeder more firm and will not fall off even if it is full of food.
- How to use: Hold the transparent part of the bird feeder, unscrew the lid, put in the bird food, cover the lid, and hang the bird feeder on the hook or tree.
- Easy to clean: The top and bottom of the bird feeder can be removed, and the inside of the bird feeder can be easily cleaned with a brush.
- DURABLE BIRD FEEDER - Gazebo-style design bird feeder is constructed of heavy-duty plastic for long lasting use.
- WHIMSICAL DESIGN - Beautiful gazebo design, features an inclined roof to shade birds from the sun and rain. Tray style feeding port and circular perch lets birds feed from all angles.
- LARGE CAPACITY - Bird feeder can accommodate up to 2.6 lb of all varieties of wild bird seeds to attract red finches, tits, house finches, birds, blue birds, warblers, starlings and more!
- HANGING OPTIONS - Comes fully assembled and ready to hang, great for decorating courtyard, garden, patio, backyard and front porch, making your life interesting.
- EASY TO FILL & CLEAN - Bird feeder is equipped with a twist lock cover to keep the lid safely closed. Clear plastic feeder makes knowing when to refill the feeder, just turn to unlock then refill...
- HIGH QUALITY: This bird feeder with steel cage construction, extremely durable, weather resistant powder-coated that will last a lifetime.
- EASY TO USE: This hanging bird feeder has a steel metal wire handle so you can securely hang the feeder on anything that will support it. Easy-open, drop your chosen bird food in it, then plaese make...
- SQUIRREL AND DEER PROOF BIRD FEEDER: Large cage keeps squirrels, raccoons, deers and large birds away so you can attract more song birds.
- DIMENSIONS: Large outside birdfeeder measures 6.9 inch diameter x 14.5 inches tall, holds approximately 18 oz of soybean; Please note, the amount of food may vary depending on the type of seed you...
- ENJOY NATURE: Feeder can be hung from a hook in the backyard, garden, deck, balcony, or front porch, you will have a clear viewing angle to hours of consistent and delightful entertainment.
Buying A Wild Bird Feeder: Things To Consider
With just a little research when looking for the best wild bird feeders, you and your feathered friends will soon be reaping the benefits of each other’s company! Here are some things to keep in mind when purchasing a bird feeder.
First Things First
The very first thing you need to do is be prepared to commit to this plan for the long haul. Just like with a pet, these animals will look to you as a food source, especially in the colder months when their natural supply of insects and plants starts to run low. Make sure that you are willing and able to go out into the elements to refill and clean any feeders you put out.
Feed Them What They Like
In the same way that all people may not care for the same type of food, different birds also have different tastes. If you know what birds are in your area, you will have a better idea of what to feed them. If you don’t, fret not.
There are beginner-friendly seed mixes that help take the guesswork out of the process while attracting multiple types of birds to the best wild bird feeders. For example, Black-Oil Sunflower seeds are quite popular with a wide array of birds from cardinals to sparrows, so definitely consider including them in your feeder.
Size DOES Matter
Consider investing in a large feeder that can hold at least a few pounds of seed. It may surprise you to learn that those tiny birds are packing in half their weight in seed EVERY DAY. Incredible, isn’t it?
You can see where a big feeder will keep you from having to constantly refill it, giving you more time for what you really love: watching the birds enjoy themselves!
You should also take into account if your area is prone to inclement winter weather like snow or ice. These conditions may prohibit you from being able to refill even the best wild bird feeders, leaving the birds vulnerable at a critical time. It’s important to always be prepared.
Feeder Familiarity
Here’s where someone new to bird feeding may begin to feel overwhelmed. There are a plethora of best wild bird feeders on the market designed to be used in different spaces, for different types of food, and for different types of birds.
So regardless of whether you have a half-acre or you’re setting up on your high-rise balcony, there IS a perfect feeder for you. Again, getting familiar with the birds in your area will help you decide the type of feeder that is best for them. Some birds actually prefer feeding on the ground, so a ground feeder would be a considerate choice for them.
Squirrels – Cute But Costly
Want to see the amount of money you spend on bird feed exponentially increase before your very eyes? Buy a feeder that isn’t squirrel-proof. Squirrels see even the best wild bird feeders as a free buffet and they are happy to leave you holding the check. They will gobble up all your delicious feed before the birds even know it’s there!
Fortunately, there is a vast selection of squirrel-deterring cages available that have spaces to allow birds in while keeping the furry fellows out. Not having one is just too costly of a mistake when the solution is so simple.
Keep It Clean, Folks
Much the same way you should keep your dog’s food and water bowls clean and free of dirt and grime, the same goes for your bird feeders. The more birds that visit your feeder, the more mess they will make.
To ensure that the birds stay healthy and only get good things from your feeder, make it a point to thoroughly clean it with hot water and let it dry at least a few times per season. This is especially important in the winter when the birds are more dependent on you to provide the extra calories they need to make it to spring. Keep ease of cleaning in mind when choosing a feeder and save yourself the work later on.
Give Them a Little Space
If you decide to set out multiple bird feeders, try to place them in different areas of your yard. You will find that you will get more visitors. Similar to humans, some are fine with dining in groups while others like a little elbow room. Give them the opportunity to spread out if they want.
These are just a few ways that you can bring the birds to your yard, allowing you to enjoy them while they happily feast on the spoils of your kind-heartedness. With just a little legwork, you can get to know all about your frequent fliers and will become well-versed in the ways of keeping them coming back!
How To Attract Wild Birds To Your Backyard
Buying the best wild bird feeders provides hours of entertainment for the whole family, as different special come and go, jockey for position, and display their unique coloring and habits. However, adding a bird feeder to your yard does not automatically guarantee birds will arrive and re-visit your property. A number of factors influence the types of birds you can attract and how easily they will adopt your feeder as one of their regular stops.
Bird Feeder Basics
A good bird feeder should be sturdy in construction to allow wild birds to have a solid landing perch when they fly in to feed. It should be easy for them to see and should have enough trees and plants near the feeder to provide cover to hide from predators. The feeder should be large enough to hold a sufficient quantity of seed, so you don’t have to keep refilling it. It should allow easy cleaning of internal sections. Birds also need to drink water, so having a water feature somewhere near the feeder can help to draw visitors to the spot. If you have a pond or low area that collects water on your property, this would be a good place to position your feeder. Adding a birdbath can also be a welcoming addition to your yard.
Be Aware of Predators in Your Area
You should be aware of the predators in your area that may discourage birds from feeding at your feeder. If a neighborhood cat is constantly on duty in your yard or a hawk tends to patrol your area, you will have greater difficulty persuading birds to visit and feed. Place feeders well above ground level and at least 10 feet away from shrubbery that could conceal a predator. Poles should be smooth metal or plastic to discourage cats from climbing. Avoid sprinkling seed on the ground, which leaves ground-feeding birds open to attack by predators.
Bird Feeder Turn-Offs
If you’re having difficulty attracting birds to your back yard, take a close look at the placement and amenities you’re offering, from a bird’s eye view. Is the feeder located near large trees and shrubs that will offer sufficient cover to protect the birds from predators? You may need to add a few more plants to your yard to make it a safer place for birds. Does it have a large enough shelf to perch comfortably while feeding? You may need to add additional freestanding perches on your property to allow birds to rest when they come to visit. Is the feeder easy to clean and is cleaned regularly? Birds will avoid an untidy, contaminated feeder. Rainfall can cause deterioration of the seeds and can cause mold to form in an uncleaned feeder.
What Types of Birds Do You Want To Attract?
Different species of birds often have their own feeding habits that you should study in order to provide the right conditions to attract them to your yard. Cardinals are a beautiful, bright red color and make a welcome addition to your backyard aviary. However, they tend to be nervous feeders, so you should provide a feeder that’s well off the ground and close to foliage that will provide an escape if they feel threatened. Blue jays are hit-and-run feeders that tend to spend little time picking through the seed tray. Mourning doves will feed both at ground level and at an elevated feeder. Finches prefer feeders hung in trees that provide protection. You can find special feeders for finches, which will entice them to feed in your yard. Titmice will fly in to feed frequently but will fly off to enjoy their morsel in a nearby tree.
Bird Feeder Style Choices
You can find a wide variety of different types of bird feeders in your local home improvement stores, nurseries or online. Some styles of bird feeders are made of natural materials and are very inconspicuous in the yard environment. Others are in bright colors or shiny materials to help attract birds. Feeders with round bases may have a perching bar all along the lower edge. Tray feeders offer a solid perch for birds to land and plenty of space to prevent crowding and bullying. Long narrow tubes hold a good store of thistle for goldfinches and other varieties of finch.
Provide the Right Seeds
Many species of wild birds like sunflower seeds, because they are both tasty and highly nutritious. These seeds are a favorite of many different types of birds, such as cardinals, blue jays, goldfinches, mourning doves, and woodpeckers. Safflower seeds will attract finches and chickadees. Thistle is a more expensive grade of seed that will attract goldfinches, sparrows, doves, and chickadees. White millet will draw robins, cardinals, blue jays, finches, and chickadees. Finches will also come in for flaxseed. Cracked corn is a favorite of cardinals, jays, doves, grosbeaks, and titmice. Generally, the most inexpensive birdseed will contain a mix of different types, and the composition of the mix tends to vary by price.
The right conditions, and a bit of patience, will bring wild birds to your yard for feeding. If you pay attention to a few details, you will find that the bird population in your area will put your property on their regular feeding route.
FAQs About Wild Birds
Birds add life to a backyard in all seasons. Birds live fascinating lives, building nests and singing the songs of love. And, buying the best wild bird feeders will help to build your backyard paradise.
What Kind Of Seeds Do Wild Birds Prefer?
Know what seeds to avoid. Birds reject the flax, oats, red millet and golden millet added to cheaper bird seed mixes. We cannot rule all out all millet because white millet attracts birds worth feeding.
Wild birds leave fillers behind. Seed left behind soon harbors bacteria and fungus, which can taint the better birdseed. Buy seed that promises no fillers.
Birds have favorite seeds. Thus, an enthusiast can set the table for their favorite birds. Avoid common birds that don’t need feeding by picking seeds these birds won’t eat. Grackles turn up their beaks at safflower. Chickadees, titmice, and cardinals love safflower.
Oiled sunflower seed attracts almost all species of birds. Most birds can crack open the oiled sunflower seed to extract the meat. The high-fat content of sunflower seed gives birds the energy needed to survive cold weather.
Striped sunflower seed has a tougher shell, which excludes house sparrows and blackbirds. Set out striped sunflower seeds to attract cardinals, woodpeckers, chickadees, and jays.
Thistle attracts indigo buntings, Lesser Goldfinches, American Goldfinches, and Pine Siskins. Yet, finding thistle can be a challenge. Nyjer is a small oily seed that looks like thistle. The birds that love thistle love Nyjer.
Cracked corn has the same appeal as oiled sunflower seed. Yet, never allow cracked corn to grow moist. Moisture makes it dangerous for birds to eat. Only put out the seed birds can eat in a single day.
Do I Need To Clean My Wild Bird Feeder And How Do I Do It?
Clean a bird feeder every two weeks. If birds show signs of illness, clean the feeders more often until symptoms lessen. Wash and brush away bird leavings. It’s important to dispose of waste seed.
Take apart the bird feeder so that the cleaning can reach the nooks and crannies. If you’re willing to wash a bird feeder in the dishwasher, run it through on the hottest water possible. If not, wash with soap and boiling water. If boiling water is not available, wash with a solution of bleach, one unit of bleach for nine units of water. Rinse the bleach off completely. Allow the feeder to dry totally before filling it up with seed.
Should I Stop Feeding Wild Birds During The Summer Or Winter?
Birds can usually fend for themselves in the summer months. In fall, birds need help putting on fat for migration flights. In winter, birds can use help in finding enough food to stay active. In spring, not all the plants have seeds for the birds to eat yet. Plus, it helps to put out seeds so that birds recover from the winter. Migrating birds love a little snack as they pay a visit on their way north to their home.
Feeding birds in the summertime ensures that birds come to dance and sing in your backyard. Planting perennials and annuals that produce seeds makes the birds fly for your yard.
How Can I Keep Squirrels Off My Wild Bird Feeders?
The most aggressive solution for battling squirrels requires live traps. Squirrels lured into a live trap can be released far from home. Short of that, consider adding squirrel baffles to the poles holding up your best wild bird feeders. One can purchase bird feeder poles equipped with ingenious squirrel baffles. Add to the pole a bird feeder built to deter squirrels, such as a feeder surrounded by a cage.
A few birders turn to innocent chemical barriers. Vaseline spread on a pole makes it slippery even for surefooted squirrels. Small amounts of cayenne pepper added to feed will annoy squirrels but not birds. Several sprays promise to banish the four-legged creatures from your feeders.
Distance makes a great obstacle. Squirrels can’t jump higher than five feet. Squirrels can’t jump onto a feeder more than ten feet from a tree. Use these facts to position your bird feeders away from objects that squirrels can climb.
If you can’t beat the squirrels, feed them. A small feeder low to the ground filled with cracked corn makes an easier destination than a bird feeder. Place this squirrel diner far away from your feeding stations.
Should I Offer Wild Birds Water Via A Birdbath?
Birds love a birdbath filled with clean, cool water in all seasons. However, birds won’t bathe in a bath that makes them feel exposed. Place the bath close to bushes to give birds an escape to cover. Consider adding a fountain to a birdbath to keep the water fresh. To keep the water open in the winter, more than a few birders buy baths with heating elements.
Birds make the best of pets. With a few bird feeders, a birdbath, and careful purchases of birdseed, a homeowner can enjoy the joys of bird watching all year round.
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