Which Bird Feeder Do I Need?

Wooden Birdfeeders

"Which bird feeder do I need?" is a common question for new bird lovers, new home owners, and long-time bird lovers those who are finally able to lend their hand in feeding and caring for wild birds. There are so many varieties of Bird feeders and so many families of birds, you certainly want to be sure you choose the bird feeder that's best for you and your local bird population.

Birds are not as regional as some may assume, and birdfeeders are not as bird specific as some may fear. Many bird feeders work for numerous types of birds, which should make your purchasing decision a bit easier. Birds such as Woodpeckers, Bluebirds, Mockingbirds and Chickadees can be found across the United States. With the Bluebird, if you live in the East you will likely be visited by the Eastern Bluebird, just as if you live in the West you will be visited by the Western Bluebird. Either location needs the same type of feeder.

The main difference you need to consider with birds and the proper birdfeeders are the types of food you want to supply and how often you are able to refill and clean your birdf eeders. You can choose a single birdfeeder, or multiple bird feeders. Most birdfeeders can supply food to all your visitors, while birds such as the hummingbird will flock around multiple feeders if they are provided.

Suet Bird Feeders

Suet Feeders are ideal for suet cakes which is the solid form of bird seed, and most suet feeders can hold fruit as well. Suet cake is ideal for attracting the following birds: Bluebirds, Chickadees, Finches, Jays, Mockingbirds, Titmice, Woodpeckers, and Wrens. Fruit will attract Bluebirds, Jays, Mockingbirds, Orioles and Woodpeckers.

Tube Bird Feeders

Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders

Tube Birdfeeders are an extremely common type of bird feeder, and are available in a large variety of sizes and designs. Tube feeders will provide food for smaller birds such as Chickadees and Woodpeckers, while keeping out larger birds such as Cardinals and Blackbirds. Tube bird feeders work excellent with black oil sunflower seed, which is a favorable food for birds as well as easy to clean and refill in its loose seed form.

Black oil sunflower seed works well for Cardinals, Chickadees, Finches, Nuthatches, Redpolls, Sparrows, Titmice and Woodpeckers. For larger birds such as Cardinals, you may want to opt for an open Decorative Bird feeder, or a Hopper, which is a feeder that any bird can land at and eat, regardless of body size.

Thistle seed is another common type of bird food. Thistle Seed Birdfeeders are designed for use with thistle seed, and attracts Chickadees, Finches and Sparrows.

Platform Bird Feeders

Platform Birdfeeders

Platform Bird Feeders are an easily maintained bird feeder, and can be hung or placed on the ground. Ground eating birds who will benefit greatly from a ground level feeder include Doves and Sparrows. Platform feeders can hold almost any type of bird food, including peanuts. Peanuts are a treat for many types of birds, including Cardinals, Chickadees, Doves, Finches, Jays, Sparrows, Starlings, and Titmice.

Squirrels...

For many birdfeeders, squirrels are an adversary that must be stopped. Squirrels love bird food, and can jump great lengths and stretch their bodies to get into the bird food. If your birds are losing their food to local squirrels, you will want to consider a Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder. Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders are designed with a number of mechanisms and features to ward off squirrels, spin them off, and close food openings on impact.

Hummingbird Feeders

Hummingbirds require a completely different type of feeder than the rest of our bird friends. Hummingbird Feeders are filled with nectar, which can easily be table sugar and spring water, and need to be cleaned before each refill. Hummingbird feeders work best when placed near flowers, especially flowers with long, tubular blossoms.

Whether you place your birdfeeders on stakes in the ground, hang from trees and garden hooks, or clamp to windows, you need to be aware of predators such as cats, and food threats such as ants and squirrels.