Best Wild Bird Feeders

July 30, 2020 // 14 minutes read

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Best Wild Bird Feeders

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

BirdInformer BESTSELLER # 1
Wagner's 53002 Farmer's Delight Wild Bird Food with Cherry Flavor, 10-Pound Bag
  • A value priced mix that attracts a wide variety of backyard birds
  • Contains general purpose seeds including sunflower
  • Use in Hopper or Tube Feeders
  • Highest quality grains used in blending
  • Made in the USA
BirdInformer BESTSELLER # 2
iBorn Metal Bird Feeders Brushed Copper Wild Bird Feeder for Outdoors Hanging All Metal Brushed Copper Finishing 14 Inch 6 Port(Seed is not Included)
  • 【Six Feeding Ports】In different weather and lack of food supplies, birds need more energy and food to survive. Six feeding ports with perches allows for multiple birds to feed simultaneously,bring enough food for the birds and attract more birds to your garden.
  • 【Bird Lover Gifts】This wild bird feeders has a retro brushed copper-colored appearance,convenient and simple cleaning method. The traditional design can invite more feathered birds into garden, adding a bright color to the yard and adding more to the garden life. It is the great choice as a gift. Metal bird feeders for outdoors can also attract children's attention, thus bringing more fun to family and children.
  • 【Metal Bird Feeder】Metal top & base, aluminium feeding ports survived from Squirrel Damaging. Durable quality to sustain wear and worn outdoors. We adopt advanced technique for metal finishing to help the metal last longer when used outdoors.
  • 【Flip Top to Open, Easy Refill & Clean】Bird feeders for outdoors hanging comes with a lift-lid for easy and convenient filling. Transparent seed compartment, easily to see when see runs out and replenish in time. Regular cleaning will keep the metal bird feeder work better to attract lovely birds visiting.
  • 【Work with Mix Seed】This Birdfeeders outside hanging is one of the most widely used type and suitable for most types of seed and seed mixes, blends, sunflower seeds to attract birds including great spotted woodpeckers, the siskins Dunnock, House Sparrows, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Blue Tit and Greenfinches, tits, sparrows, nuthatches and pied fly catchers.
BirdInformer BESTSELLER # 3
FeatherSnap Scout Wi-Fi Solar Powered Smart Bird Feeder - Automatically Captures HD Pictures and Videos! Best Gift for Bird Watchers! Dual Seed Chamber - Feather Snap
  • Free Photos with FeatherSnapCam App: Capture beautiful, high-quality images of your backyard birds without any extra cost. With the FeatherSnapCam app, photos are free so you can enjoy every moment
  • Bird Book: Curate your own Bird Book using the HD photos and videos from the FeatherSnap bird feeder while keeping record of your avian friends in your virtual bird encyclopedia. The Bird Book also includes seed preferences and other fun facts with our subscription
  • Bird ID: This feature helps you identify all the bird species you encounter through your feeder, whether through AI or manual input. Unlock achievement badges as you embark on your birding journey
  • Integrated Solar Panel: Elevate your birdwatching experience with a solar panel powered roof, providing extended battery life so you can enjoy uninterrupted birdwatching
  • USA Based Customer Support: Need help? Our American customer service team is available by phone or email to ensure your bird watching experience is both reliable and enjoyable
SaleBirdInformer BESTSELLER # 4
Nature Anywhere Transparent Acrylic Window Bird Feeders for Outdoors - Enhanced Suction Grip, Bird Watching for Cats, Easy-to-Clean, Outdoor Birdhouse Feeder
  • LIFETIME GUARANTEE and VIP SUPPORT: Like all Nature Anywhere outdoor bird feeders, if for whatever reason you don't absolutely LOVE your Birds-I-View contact us by email or phone and receive a reimbursement (or replace it, if there is a problem.) "I had a question that I asked of the site and they got back to me the next day,(Sunday) and that is a rarity in today's business world and I do appreciate that kind of response."
  • THOUGHTFUL AND UNIQUE GIFTS for bird lovers (and pet lovers!) See colorful wild birds from up close. Sit in your kitchen and have fun discovering your garden birds. Window feeder For birds fits on to any plain glass window. "This is one of the very best items I have purchased on Amazon. It extremely well-made, sturdy, and attractive! Anyone interested in these birdfeeders should have absolutely no hesitations."
  • LIFETIME SUCTION CUP GUARANTEE. Four heavy duty suction cups using our groundbreaking EVERGRIP X4 technology ensure your birdfeeder is out of squirrels' reach and will never fall. Ever.
  • NO SQUIRRELS! Ever seen a squirrel climbing a bird feeders window. They can't! Keep the feeder installed 10 feet away from ledges, gables and branches and Mr. Nuts doesn't stand a chance. This is one squirrel safe bird feeder! The patented air circulation system will also keep the seed dry and safe.
  • NOTHING TO ASSEMBLE, a simple feeder for anyone who loves backyard birding & wildlife. Best gifts for elderly mom, gifts for dads and moms who have everything, gifts for couples who have everything, grandparents gifts, gardening gifts for women christmas gift ideas.
BirdInformer BESTSELLER # 5
Hanizi Hanging Bird Feeder Squirrel Proof for Outdoor Wild Bird Seed, Brown
  • Hanizi Bird Feeder: We focus on researching and developing wild bird feeders, squirrel proof birds feeders for outside hanging. Lightweight build, durable metal rope, and a twist lock that deters squirrels.
  • Easy to Use: Open the lid, put the wild bird seeds, sunflower seeds for birds into the bird feeder, close the lid, and then hang the bird feeder under the eaves or in the garden.
  • Large Capacity: 8.5 x 7.9 x 7.3 inches. Made of durable, high quality plastic. The clear plastic make it easy to inspect bird seed levels. Hold up to 47 oz bird seeds. Large opening allows for easy refills and clean.
  • Clever Design: Inclined roof to help prevent the seeds inside from getting wet. When the seeds are eaten, more seeds will naturally fill the tray. The tray has leaking holes to avoid water accumulation, keep the bird seeds dry.
  • Ideal Choice: For your convenience and the health of your garden birds, choose Hanizi wild bird feeder that is easy to fill, empty, and clean. Check the birds feeders once a week and wash it regularly with mild soap and water solution. If you have any questions about bird feeders, please feel free to contact us.
SaleBirdInformer BESTSELLER # 6
Bird Buddy® Original Solar Bird Feeder with Camera - Ai Bird Species Identification, 5Mp Photos, 2K Hd+ Video Live Stream Camera, Solar-Powered Charging, 2.8In Focus - Blue
  • THE ORIGINAL HD BIRD FEEDER CAMERA: Transform your birdwatching experience with this camera bird feeder and capture stunning 2K video and 5MP photos of your backyard visitors. Discover the unique characteristics of the birds at your solar bird feeder and create a special bond by naming your favorite frequent visitors with the "Name That Bird" feature.
  • AI-POWERED BIRDWATCHING APP: The Bird Buddy app uses AI to identify bird species and individual birds, detect signs of illness, and recognize other animal visitors. Get real-time alerts when birds visit your solar bird feeder and learn interesting facts about all your local birds. Easily organize photo collections and share your bird photos with friends & family.
  • CONTINUOUS CHARGING WITH SOLAR ROOF: The solar-powered camera bird feeder features a practical solar roof that continuously charges your Bird Buddy in sunny weather. It easily detaches and rotates 180 degrees for optimal positioning and easy adjustments.
  • PRIVACY-FOCUSED DESIGN: Your Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder respects your privacy. The camera is designed to capture images and videos of birds at the solar bird feeder, not the surrounding area. All image processing happens on the device, and you have full control over your data in the app.
  • EASY SETUP & VARIOUS MOUNTING OPTIONS: 1) Charge the camera. 2) Download the app. 3) Follow the pairing instructions inside the app. 4) Connect to your home WiFi 2.4GHz network. 5) Mount it on a pole or hang from a branch (universal pole mount and metal hanger included; pole not included). 6) Add birdseed. 7) Start live streaming or wait for your first bird notification!
BirdInformer BESTSELLER # 7
Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder,Metal Mesh Bird Feeders for Outdoors Hanging,Gravity Protection Squirrel Proof Wild Bird Feeders with Finch Cardinal Chickadee,3LB Large Capacity,Green
  • Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
  • Bird Feeder,Gardening Gifts for Women,Fathers.christmas gifts for dad,mom and more bird lovers
  • Metal Bird Feeders for Outdoors Hanging
  • Squirrel Proof Wild Bird Feeders with Finch Cardinal Chickadee
  • Large Capacity Bird Feeders

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.

Best Wild Bird Feeders
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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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