The Hopper Feeder

Due to its straight-forward simplicity, a hopper feeder often is the one that people choose when they first start feeding the birds.

They hold large quantities of bird seed and are easy to locate where it's convenient for you to refill them.

Hopper bird feeders can be hung from a tree, a "shepherd's crook" or under the eaves of a house. Or they can be mounted on a post, wall, fence or deck

As the name implies, it is a box-like storage and dispensing system that automatically replenishes bird seed, usually through gravity, until the hopper is empty.

Most varieties of bird seed, from straight sunflower to a mix, can be fed through a hopper. Major exceptions are black Nyjer seeds, sunflower chips or a combination of the two because of their small size.

Birds, looking for the most desirable seeds in a mix, easily kick out from a hopper feeder what they don't want. You can control this somewhat with a tray or screen hung beneath the feeder or some sort of collection apparatus on the ground.

Hopper bird feeders accommodate several feeding birds at the same time and are attractive to a number of species, such as grosbeaks, cardinals, jays, woodpeckers, finches, chickadees, sparrows and nuthatches.

Because of their open trays, there is substantial spillage. Birds that will be attracted to the scattered seed on the ground include mourning doves, juncos, various sparrows and towhees.

Hoppers come in a wide array of shapes and styles: round, square, built like small chalets, partially enclosed, steel framed or dome-topped. Many have transparent sides so you can monitor the seed level. Typically the hopper has a roof over it, protecting the contents from the elements until it's ready to be eaten.

Having seed available for the birds on demand is an advantage, but keep in mind that a basic hopper is a non-exclusive feeder, meaning almost any bird can use it. If your desire is to be more exclusive, you may want to consider a different feeder type.

See All Hopper Feeders

The hopper feeder are more complicated structures than tray feeders, making them more expensive to buy. However, if you buy a good one, it's worth the initial investment because you'll use it for years.

They don't accommodate as many birds at one time as an open tray feeder, plus there is relatively small area for birds to stand. The upside, as compared with a tray feeder, is that the birds do not stand in -- and soil -- the seed.

When you shop for a new hopper, make sure it is easy to open and fill. Once it's in your yard, it won't be located securely on a shelf but will swing from a perch or sit atop a pole. If it's tricky to handle in the store, imagine how it will be outdoors, in cold weather, when you are wearing mittens and holding a container of fresh seed in one hand.

All bird feeders must be cleaned regularly, and hoppers are no exception. A glance into the feeding tray, or an absence of birds, could be an indication that seed has gotten wet and perhaps moldy. Regular cleaning reduces the spread of disease around feeding stations where many birds congregate.

For the same reason, it is important to keep the area beneath the feeder clear of old seed debris. Empty your hopper feeder and wash with a mild soap and a touch of bleach in warm water. A bottle brush or old tooth brush is handy for reaching into the corners. Then allow the feeders to dry thoroughly before refilling them with clean seed.

Without baffles, the hopper feeder can be easy targets for the furry bandits. If you don't want to give them free rein, then you may be into "squirrel wars," with no certainty of winning.

A stovepipe baffle works well on a pole-mounted hopper while a domed baffle may be required for one that hangs. In either case, the feeder must be seven feet from the nearest "point of attack."

Remember that your squirrels can and will shinny up or down most poles and wires as well as "dive-bomb" feeders from above.

Placed in an easily viewed location, periodically cleaned and properly squirrel-proofed, a well-stocked hopper feeder will provide many enjoyable hours for you to observe your birds.

Types Of Bird Seed

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