Choosing the Best Bird Feeder: A Buyer's Guide

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The "best" feeder depends on which birds you want and what pests you deal with. Here's how to choose.

Feeder types

• Tube feeders – good for chickadees, titmice, finches. Look for metal ports if squirrels are around. See tube feeders
• Hopper feeders – hold lots of seed and attract cardinals, jays, and grosbeaks. See hopper feeders
• Platform feeders – the most species, but seed gets wet; choose one with a mesh bottom. See platform feeders
• Suet cages – woodpeckers, nuthatches, wrens. See suet feeders
• Nyjer/finch feeders – tiny ports for goldfinches and siskins. See finch feeders

What to look for

• Easy to clean – feeders that come apart fully get cleaned more often.
• Drainage – holes in the base keep seed from rotting.
• Squirrel resistance – weight-activated perches or a baffle on the pole.
• Durable materials – metal and thick polycarbonate outlast thin plastic.

Our approach

We haven't hands-on tested specific models yet; this guide covers what to look for so you can compare options confidently.