Different Types of Bird Feeders

Bird feeders are a great way to attract birds to your yard, whether you simply want to watch them or want to create a welcoming habitat for them to find food. The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve learned to appreciate our feathered friends. There’s a simple joy in watching them!

If you’re hoping to invite more birds into your landscape, the first step is finding the right feeders. Before you head to the store, take a moment to think about which birds you’d like to attract. Different birds have different feeding habits and feeder preferences! Knowing who you want your target visitors to be will help you choose the best feeder for your yard.

1. A hopper style feeder offers a large quantity of seeds for multiple birds at once. It’s a great feeder for cardinals, jays, and doves.
2. If you would like to attract smaller birds like finches, titmice, and chickadees, tube feeders are a great option. These feeders are long and cylindrical and provide multiple access points for birds.
3. Every bird loves a suet feeder! They are small wire mesh boxes that hold a suet cake for birds to feed on. They are especially great to have out during colder months as they offer birds a high-energy feeding experience.
4. Ground-dwelling birds such as towhees, juncos, and sparrows are fond of platform or tray feeders. These types of feeders hold large quantities of seed. When purchasing, look for feeders with screened bottoms that can be easily removed to help make cleaning easy.

To make maintenance and viewing easier, consider using a multi-branched feeding station to hang all feeder types in one location.

Here are a few tips to help make bird feeder maintenance easier:

• Only put out enough food for one day. Make a habit of putting new feed out each day to help prevent the spread of disease. Any wet seeds should not be dumped on the ground. They need to go in the trash.
• Birds aren’t the only critters that stop by feeders. Squirrels and chipmunks are frequent visitors to tray and hopper feeders. Use a squirrel baffle to keep non-feathered friends away.
• Consider purchasing a multi-branched feeding station to hang all feeder types in one location. This makes it easier to clean them.
• Speaking of cleaning…How should bird feeders be cleaned? To properly clean feeders, wash outdoors with warm, soapy water. It’s also recommended to soak bird feeders in a bleach solution of 9 parts water to 1 part bleach for 10 minutes. How often should you clean your feeders? The frequency of use is the biggest determining factor. Also, if feces are present, the feeder needs a good cleaning.

Want more resources on how to attract wildlife into your yard? Visit our website or contact your local Extension office for additional resources!