Bird feeder types by species
The right feeder is decided by the bird's body and feeding style: heavy birds need ledges, clinging birds use ports and mesh, ground feeders need trays.
| Feeder | Holds | Birds that use it | Not for | Squirrels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tube feeder | Sunflower, hearts, mixes | Chickadees, Titmice, House Finches, Goldfinches, Nuthatches | Cardinals and jays, which are too big for short perches | Poor unless caged or weight-activated |
| Hopper feeder | Sunflower, safflower, mixes | Cardinals, Blue Jays, Grosbeaks, Titmice, Chickadees | Very small ground birds | Poor unless weight-activated or baffled |
| Platform or tray feeder | Anything | Cardinals, Mourning Doves, Juncos, Blue Jays, Native Sparrows | Anyone who hates mess or squirrels | None at all |
| Ground tray | Millet, cracked corn | Juncos, Mourning Doves, Native Sparrows, Towhees, Quail | Yards with outdoor cats | None |
| Weight-activated squirrel-proof feeder | Sunflower, safflower, hearts | Cardinals, Chickadees, Titmice, House Finches, Nuthatches | Anyone wanting to feed jays and doves, which are heavy enough to close some models | Excellent |
| Caged tube feeder | Sunflower, hearts | Chickadees, Titmice, House Finches, Goldfinches, Downy Woodpeckers | Cardinals, which do not fit through most cages | Good |
| Nyjer (finch) tube | Nyjer, fine chips | Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, Redpolls, House Finches | Anything larger than a finch | Squirrels ignore nyjer |
| Nyjer sock | Nyjer | Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, Redpolls | Wet climates, where socks clump and mould | Squirrels ignore nyjer |
| Suet cage | Suet cakes | Downy Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Wrens, Titmice | Large woodpeckers, which need a tail prop | Squirrels chew suet |
| Tail-prop suet feeder | Suet cakes | Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Nuthatches | Nobody; small birds use it too | Squirrels chew suet |
| Peanut mesh feeder | Shelled peanuts | Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Titmice, Chickadees, Blue Jays | Finches | Squirrels chew through soft mesh; use steel |
| Peanut wreath | In-shell peanuts | Blue Jays, Woodpeckers, Titmice | Small finches | Squirrels will raid it |
| Window feeder | Sunflower, hearts, mixes | Chickadees, Titmice, House Finches, Nuthatches, Cardinals | Windows squirrels can reach from a sill or ledge | Depends on the window |
| Hummingbird feeder | Nectar | Hummingbirds, Orioles | Anyone who cannot clean it twice a week in heat | None |
| Oriole feeder | Nectar, jelly, oranges | Orioles, Red-bellied Woodpeckers | Yards far outside oriole range | Low |
| Mealworm feeder | Mealworms | Bluebirds, Wrens, Robins, Chickadees | Seed eaters | Low interest |
| Smart camera feeder | Sunflower, hearts, mixes | Cardinals, Chickadees, Titmice, House Finches, Blue Jays | Anyone with no Wi-Fi reach to the feeder spot | Poor to moderate; mount on a baffled pole |
One of each of the main feeder types
Prices move constantly; the button shows the current figure.
See which foods go in each feeder on the bird seed types chart.
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Used only to send the checklist.Frequently asked questions
What type of bird feeder attracts the most birds?
An open platform or tray feeder attracts the widest range of species, because perching birds, heavy birds and ground feeders can all use it. It also attracts squirrels and makes the most mess. A hopper feeder with black oil sunflower is the best compromise for most yards, drawing cardinals, chickadees, titmice, finches, nuthatches and jays.
What kind of feeder do cardinals like?
Cardinals like a wide, stable perch or ledge where they can face forward while eating, so hopper feeders, platform trays and feeders with a cardinal ring suit them best. Narrow tube feeders with short perches are awkward for them. Fill the feeder with safflower or black oil sunflower and place it near dense shrubs.
Which bird feeder is most squirrel-proof?
Weight-activated feeders, where a spring-loaded shroud closes the ports under a squirrel's weight, are the most reliable squirrel-proof feeders. Caged feeders also work well but exclude larger birds such as cardinals. Any feeder becomes squirrel-proof on a smooth pole with a baffle 4 to 5 feet up, placed at least 10 feet from launch points.
Should I use more than one type of feeder?
Yes. Two or three feeder types, each with the food it suits, bring far more species than one large feeder. A common starter setup is a hopper or weight-activated sunflower feeder, a nyjer tube for finches and a suet cage for woodpeckers, with a low tray of millet for ground feeders. Space them a few feet apart to reduce squabbling.
What is the easiest bird feeder to clean?
Platform trays and saucer-style hummingbird feeders are easiest. For seed feeders, look for models that come apart fully, with removable bases or lids and wide openings a bottle brush can reach. Some premium tube feeders have quick-release bases designed for cleaning. Feeders that are hard to clean tend not to get cleaned, which spreads disease.