How to Choose a Wild Bird Feeder

Style of wild bird feeders

Food sources for feeders

Wild birds it may attract

Tube Wild Bird Feeders - Usually UV protected polycarbonate seed tubes, caged squirrel-proof feeders or peanut mesh bird feeders. Used by perching birds. If a tray is added to the bottom, more birds will use tube feeders.
Tube wild bird feeders

black oiler sunflower seeds, striped sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, peanut bits, cracked corn, thistle (niger or nyjer) seeds, millet

All finches, pine siskins, chickadees, titmouse (titmice)

Platform Wild Bird Feeders - also called tray feeders. These can be used by every feeder bird. Very popular as ground feeders or hanging feeders to attract different birds.
Platform wild bird feeders

black oiler sunflower seeds, striped sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, peanuts, cracked corn, fruit, mealworms, millet, bakery goods, cheese

most all birds will use a platform feeder - bluebirds, buntings, cardinals (favorite feeders), chickadees, doves, finches, goldfinches, grosbeaks, jays, pyrrhuloxias, orioles, robins, siskins, sparrows, tanagers, titmouse (titmice), towhees, wrens

Hopper Wild Bird Feeders - also called bin feeders. Usually made of cedar, plastic or metal or any combination of. Very popular feeders to attract a large variety of wild birds. Used by perching and clinging birds.
Hopper Bird Feeders | Assorted wild bird feeders | Decorative

black oiler sunflower seeds, striped sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, peanuts, cracked corn, fruit, mealworms, millet, bakery goods, cheese

bluebirds, buntings, cardinals (favorite feeders), chickadees, doves, finches, goldfinches, grosbeaks, jays, pyrrhuloxias, orioles, robins, siskins, sparrows, tanagers, titmouse (titmice), towhees, wrens

Peanut Mesh Bird Feeders - also called caged feeders. These feeders may be mesh or metal with holes spaced over the whole feeders. Some are made to hold whole peanuts in the shell.
Peanut wild bird feeders

peanuts, whole, pieces, bits...depending on feeders - black sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and cracked corn

cardinals, chickadees, finches, flickers, jays, nuthatches, titmouse (titmice), towhees, woodpeckers, wrens

Clinging Wild Bird Feeders (such as globe feeders or sock feeders) Caged squirrel-proof feeders appeal to clinging birds
Hopper Bird Feeders | Squirrel-proof wild bird feeders | Thistle | Peanuts

black oiler sunflower seeds, striped sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, thistle (niger or nyjer) seeds, peanuts, cracked corn, millet

cardinals, all chickadees, all finches, goldfinches, jays, pyrrhuloxias, siskins, sparrows, titmouse (titmice), woodpeckers, wrens

Fruit Wild Bird Feeders - specialty feeders.
Fruit & jelly wild bird feeders

halved oranges, apples can be spiked on feeders. Jelly bowls for grape jelly.

cardinal, mockingbird, oriole, robin

Suet Wild Bird Feeders (can be caged feeders also to protect suet from squirrels). Suet cakes are manufactured with added ingredients also: insects, fruit, egg shells for calcium, peanuts, peppers, etc.
Suet wild bird feeders

manufactured suet cakes work best in these feeders - see some added ingredients in previous entry. Suet cakes come in a large variety.

mostly woodpeckers, nuthatches and wrens but also bluebirds, all chickadees, flickers, jays, kinglets, mockingbirds, titmouse (titmice)

Hummingbird Feeders and Oriole Feeders
Hummingbird feeders & Oriole feeders

sugar water at a 4 to 1 ratio. Four parts water to one part sugar. Dissolve and cool.

Hummingbirds, Finches, Woodpecker, Oriole, Warbler, Jay, Mockingbird, Chickadee, Lizards, Raccoons, Bats

Mealworm Wild Bird Feeders - the birds can be trained to use these feeders. See our instructions on the following page:
Mealworm wild bird feeders | Stained Glass feeders

live mealworms

mostly bluebirds but also all chickadees, all finches, goldfinches, titmouse (titmice), warblers, woodpeckers

Bowl Wild Bird Feeders(for bread, jelly and scraps)
Assorted wild bird feeders | Stained Glass bowl feeders

black oiler sunflower seeds, striped sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, peanuts, cracked corn, fruit, mealworms, millet, bakery goods, cheese

most all birds will use a bowl or dish feeder - bluebirds, cardinals, all chickadees, all finches, flickers, goldfinches, jays, oriole (jelly), mockingbirds (bread & fruit), robins (bread & fruit), woodpeckers, wrens, etc.