Bird Feeder Types

Birding requires birds to watch, and feeders bring in the birds! It’s just that simple! There are quite a few Bird Feeder types available today that will make your bird watching more successful and enjoyable. Here’s an overview, so you’ll know which types will work best for your setting.

1. Hopper Feeders: These large feeders supply the largest amount of feed to your feathered visitors. Usually shaped like a bird house, they contain a large capacity storage area that slants down toward feeding trays on two to four sides. They are great for winter, when many birds in the neighborhood look to you for a little help in their feeding. Hopper feeders hold more feed, so must be filled less frequently. This type of feeder usually features nice perches on every side so that larger birds like Cardinals, Jays, and Grosbeaks can feed with ease. They may also be fitted with squirrel-proof accessories so those bushy-tailed pests don’t drain your feed supply before the birds can get their fill.

2. Satellite Feeders: These newer feeders are designed to discourage large birds like Blue Jays from hogging all the seed while Chickadees, Finches, Phoebes, and other smaller birds wait a turn that might not come until the feeder is empty. Satellite feeders wobble and spin when lots of weight, in bird terms anyway, is placed on them. This makes it tough for larger bird to hang on, on squirrels like them even less. Smaller perching and clinging birds like Towhees, Juncos, Nuthatches, Sparrows, Siskins, and those we’ve mentioned, love them.

3. Tube Feeders: These are the most affordable feeders on the market. Bird watchers should invest in 3 or 4 and spread them around their viewing area. They feature easy filling and 3-5 feeding holes, usually with a small perch outside each one. Blue Jays and Cardinals will give them a try, but they are more aptly sized for smaller birds like Chickadees, Sparrows, Phoebes, and Nuthatches. A variation of the tube feeder is the Finch Feeder which helps prevent smaller seeds that Finches love from clogging the feeder and preventing your House Finches or Gold Finches from getting to the thistle or Nyjer seed they love.

4. Window Feeders: These cool little units feature suction cups on one side that attach to the window, and a feeding tray on the other, for your favorite winged friends to enjoy Sunflower seeds, milo, millet, sorghum, cracked corn, or other treats. They are wonderful for viewing birds from indoors.

5. Platform Feeders: Do you want to attract birds that are normally ground feeders? If you have Mourning Doves, Juncos, Cardinals, or other ground feeders that wait for smaller birds to spill seed from your tube feeders, then Platform Feeders will let them jump right into the feeding frenzy. Basically, they provide a flat surface that you cover with seed. The birds can land, scratch around to find what they want, and peck and eat with pleasure.

6. Suet Feeders: These resemble a thin little cage, just the right size for the suet cakes that bird seed manufacturers supply. Unclasp the opening, pop in the suet cake, close it up, and you are done. Suet feeders typically hang, but they can be attached to posts or trees, too. Expect to see a diverse group of birds, from Sparrows to Buntings to Woodpeckers enjoying this high-fat, good protein treat.

7. Hummingbird Feeders: Hummingbirds offer unique viewing pleasure, and also present unique challenges in getting them to come around. A hummingbird feeder is the right place to begin. It is a glass or plastic receptacle which holds liquid feed, made from high-fructose syrup or powder. The liquid flows into flower-shaped openings where the Hummingbirds sip it up. They are typically made from bright colors, or brightly painted, with red being the primary color. Red attracts Hummingbirds from a distance, and the scent of the liquid feed draws them in when they get close.

The chances are your favorite songbirds, perching birds, tree clinging birds, and more, can be attracted to your viewing area with the right type of feeder. Add a supply of water and some trees for shelter, and your prospects will increase even more.

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Birds Baths

Water for drinking and bathing is one of the essential elements that every bird needs, so if you enjoy attracting birds to your back yard, having at least one bird bath for their use is important. In this guide we will look at Bird Bath types so you’ll have a place to start as you look for the one that fits your garden or landscape.

There are many styles of bird baths from which to choose. Above ground bird baths continue to be the most popular, and so there are a range of designs. Finding the right one won’t be easy since there are so many really awesome designs – but that’s a fun problem to have.

Concrete pedestal bird baths remain popular because they are affordable and durable. Make sure you place a concrete bath carefully because they are quite heavy and hard to move!

Wrought iron pedestal bird baths are affordable and offer a traditional look. They can be fashioned to be rather simple or quite ornate, whatever you prefer. Several good coats of rust proof paint is essential to keeping an iron bird bath looking good. If rust spots do appear, sand and repaint the spots fairly quickly to avoid larger problem areas.

Other metals, like copper or aluminum, are also making advances in the bird bath market. Copper is gorgeous when shined, and offers an antique look when patina and tarnish is allowed to form. Aluminum has the advantage of being rust-free and lightweight, and is also very durable.

Glass or Ceramic bowl bird baths are newer styles and can be very attractive. Colored, heavy glass sparkles in the sunshine and naturally attracts birds with the gleam. Ceramic bowls on stands feature beautiful colors and design. They are works of art, a perfect melding of form following function.

When choosing an above ground bird bath, many of the stands feature beautifully crafted art work – a pair of herons back to back forming the pedestal or a tree trunk design with woodpeckers all around. There are pedestal bird baths for any budget, from plain and simple to quite ornate. While your bird friends might not notice the artisan’s work, you and your guests certainly will.

Specialty pedestal bird baths include fountains, usually with one or two tiers, that require a pump and can be a splendid addition to the garden or landscape. Also, bird baths featuring electric or solar warmers are wonderful for cold climates. Keeping the bird bath operational even while temperatures dip below freezing will give you the chance to attract large numbers of birds during winter.

In addition to above ground bird baths, there are a substantial number of in-ground models and hanging models from which to choose. While in-ground bird baths present a more natural presentation, like an inviting, cool puddle after a rain, it also makes it easier for predators to attack. Keep in-ground bird baths well away from trees and shrubs where cats can lurk, awaiting the right moment. Hanging models require a post or an obliging tree limb. If hung from a tree, they may require more frequent attention since leaves, sap, twigs, seeds, and other debris will find its way into the bird bath more frequently. But their pedestal-free look, perhaps swaying in the breeze, is an attractive option for many bird enthusiasts.

Whatever style you choose, your bird bath will become an asset in attracting birds to your yard. They will show their appreciation by delighting you with their water-loving antics and happy chatter as they take turns getting a refreshing dip or drink.

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Breeds of Birds you can Attract To Your Backyard

If you are a bird enthusiast and want to see more of them in your back yard, there is almost no specie you cannot attract. If the breed is known to inhabit your area there will be a way to coax them into your yard to feed, nest, find water, or seek shelter. To be most effective in attracting the breed you want, it is best to focus on all four of these requirements so that the birds will come more frequently and even choose to nest or stay long-term. For example, if you have your heart set on attracting a gaggle of chatty House Sparrows, start by placing small bird houses around the yard in late winter, so that when you get them to your yard they’ll consider staying for nesting season. It will also encourage them to stay if you supply some nesting material like loose straw, yarn, hair, or pet fur. Secondly, provide mixed bird seed and a couple of feeders to fill with it. Also scatter a good quantity of seed on the ground, since all varieties of Sparrows feed there, too. The third tip is to have an in-ground or above ground bird bath where these friendly birds can get a drink or go in for a splash. Finally, if your yard does not have many trees, consider planting a variety of hardwoods and evergreens for them to seek shelter in, or perhaps nest in if the bird houses fill up first. To summarize, your goal is to create the right habitat in your back yard for the birds you want to attract.

Research the bird breeds you want to attract and tailor these 4 steps to that species. See our other guides that discuss Attracting Birds, Cardinals, Bird Baths, and Bird Houses which provide lots of good information you can use. When you customize your offerings to your favorite feathered friends expect to be able to attract and keep them for the season, or for all year if they are not migratory birds. In some cases, as with Cardinals and others species that stay local or return to the same nesting area year after year, you might be rewarded with life-long friends!

Among the hundreds of bird breeds you can attract you your yard are these:

CHICKADEES AND TITMICE: Black-capped Chickadee, Boreal Chickadee, Mountain Chickadee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Siberian Chickadee, Plain Titmouse, and Tufted Titmouse.

NUTHATCHES: Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown-headed Nuthatch, and Pygmy Nuthatch.

WOODPECKERS: Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Lewis’ Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, and the Pileated Woodpecker.

FLYCATCHERS, Etc: Ash-throated Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Black Phoebe, Say’s Phoebe, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow.

OWLS: Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Saw-whet Owl, Hawk Owl, Eastern Screech Owl, Western Screech Owl, and the Boreal Owl.

THRUSHES: American Robin, Eastern Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, and the Western Bluebird.

WRENS: House Wren, Carolina Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Winter Wren, and Brown Creeper.

MISCELLANEOUS: Various Jays, Thrashers, Orioles, Cardinals, Warblers, various Grosbeaks, Siskins, Doves and Pigeons, various Finches, Blackbirds, Starlings, Parulas, and Hummingbirds.