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Types Of Bird Feeders - What You Need To Know

Bird feeders are the the fastest way to attract birds to your yard for more bird feeding fun. There are many types to choose from. These include: sunflower seed, nyjer/thistle, and suet feeders to name a few.

While there are many other ways of attracting birds to nest and feed around your home, (planting, birdhouses, bird baths) most bird watchers will benefit by placing several different styles and types of bird feeders around their home.

One of the most sought after feeder types are those that are Squirrel Proof. These are designed to foil squirrels and keep them from devouring all your bird seed. For a selection of these types you can visit our Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders page to select the one that is right for your needs. Each will attract a variety of birds to your backyard.

Super Spiral Finch
(Highly Recommended)

On the other hand, squirrels can be fun to feed and watch, but shouldn't cost you and arm and a leg in sunflower seed and suet.

If you want to attract these furry creatures to your yard, try using some of the Squirrel Diversion Feeders. These are feeders specifically designed for attracting squirrels. This gives you more opportunity for attracting and keeping birds in your yard.

Now let's continue learning about feeding birds.

Types Of Bird Feeders

Knowing the type of birds you want to attract, will help you in choosing the correct feeder.

Additionally, knowing what types of animals and birds you wish not to attract, (squirrels, house sparrows, starlings) will help in your feeder decision.

There are four basic types of feeders for using in backyard birdfeeding and bird watching:

Hanging Feeder
House/Hopper
Suet
Hummingbird

Hanging Feeders

Caged Feeder
For Squirrel Control

These are cylindrical in shape and have openings large enough to give birds easy access to the sunflower seed that they hold. If squirrels are a problem choose one that has a wire cage around the openings. I've found them to be very effective.

Another hanging tube type is the Thistle Feeder This looks the same as the one mentioned above except the openings are very small.

Thistle or Finch feeders are made to hold nyjer seed which is very small. There is no need to protect this one from squirrels since they don't seem to like this type of seed.

House/Hopper Style

The House or Hopper style is a common attractive type of bird feeder.

This type is as charming in the landscape as it is functional. Larger ones can hold several pounds of sunflower seed and attracts those birds that are not likely to visit a bird feeder of the tube type.

Some birds, such as Cardinals, are more comfortable with a perch or platform from which they can feed from. These types always provide a landing area.

The House-Hopper style needs to be mounted on a post or pole, a squirrel baffle is a must on this type. Make sure the model you get is easy to fill.

Suet Feeders

If you are not offering suet at your bird feeders, you are missing out on a lot of bird watching action.

Woodpeckers, nuthatches, and tufted titmouse, are just a few of the many birds that are drawn to this food source.

The most common type of suet feeder is a wire coated basket type. While you can offer suet in nylon or onion bags, I prefer the wire basket types as they are squirrel resistant.

Suet cakes can be bought at almost any store where you find sunflower seed. You can also make your own.

Hummingbird Feeders

For a wide selection of these, check out our hummingbird feeders here.While those of us in the northern parts of the country can only use hummingbird feeders for part of the year, there are a lucky few that are able to feed hummingbirds for most of the year.

For those individuals and others that may be so inclined, I'll refer you to the humming birds page on this site. You'll find recommendations for bird feeders and a simple recipe for sugar water.

Bird Food Preferences

We have already covered suet, basically a beef fat rendering with

Add A Bird Cam
Next To Your Feeders
For Even More Fun

added ingredients of seeds nuts and in commercial types, berries.

Far and above the best seed to offer in order to get the most types of birds is Black Oil Sunflower Seed. Dozens of birds will come to your bird feeder. If you only offer one type of seed, this is the best choice.

Nyjer seed, also inaccurately called thistle seed is a very small black seed that the finches are drawn to. I like offering it because the squirrels don't like it and I'm able to place the feeder anywhere I want without any concern with squirrels.

Those inexpensive bags of bird seed you see on the shelves of stores are best used on platform feeders that are just a few inches above ground, and not in the hanging and pole mounted feeders.

Cracked corn, and less expensive seed for those birds that feed at ground level will reward you with juncos, mourning doves and many others.

The Fruit Feeder offers a way to feed those birds attracted to fruit and nuts that may only visit in summer. A great way to get birds to stay and nest in your backyard

Summary

Begin to think about a bird feeding station instead of just one bird feeder. You'll be rewarded with a variety of birds you didn't even know you had access to. Bird feeders are one of the quickest ways to guarantee you have birds to watch in your yard.

And don't forget to visit our friends at Duncraft for a wide selection of quality Bird Feeders

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