Bird feeders can be a valuable piece of outdoor decor for your home that will also attract beautiful birds and wildlife to your yard. For many reasons, you’ll want to have a good-looking and functional bird feeder outside your home or on your apartment patio. However, with so many choices on the market, it can be hard to find one that meets all of your needs.
This is especially true if you don’t know that much about birds or bird feeders. Our complete guide to the best bird feeders of 2021 will walk you through what to look for in a bird feeder and what some of the best options are, as well as our detailed reviews of some of the top options.
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Best Bird Feeders Reviews
Best Platform Bird Feeder – Woodlink Going Green Platform Bird Feeder – 9.5/10.0
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Product Overview
If you’re looking for something affordable, simple, and effective, then this platform bird feeder would likely be a good option for you. While it’s nothing special when it comes to its design or visual appeal, it definitely isn’t an eyesore and can certainly serve as an effective bird feeder to attract beautiful birds to your home. The green color means that it will blend in with almost any outdoor decor and be a nice neutral addition to your yard.
The feeder itself is made of 90 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, which means that you can be eco-friendly and enjoy the benefits of a platform bird feeder at the same time. Another great thing about this platform feeder is that it uses a powder-coated metal screen at the bottom which allows for drainage. Not having proper drainage for your platform feeder can prove disastrous, as your food can become moldy and your feeder can be damaged by the moisture.
This platform might not be the most flashy or modern, but it’s made with quality materials that mean it will be durable and hang in your yard for years to come. It’s made of durable plastic, making it impervious to most weather conditions and it also includes a metal hanging cable. The screws ensure that the sides won’t come apart with heavy use, and enhances reliability when birds are using the platform.
Finally, the feeder is made in the United States. This means that you can feel good about your purchase and your choice to support the local economy. If you’re looking for a reliable bird feeder that doesn’t have to be the most decorative option and can stand up to the wind, rain and other elements, this would be an excellent option for you. Its reputation, build and functionality make it the best platform bird feeder on the market.
What Others Are Saying
In addition to all of the other features that this platform feeder has to offer, it also comes with a sturdy reputation. Past users of this product love it for many reasons. The first is that it attracts a lot of birds. The design of the platform feeder allows several birds to use it at once and the innocuous design of the feeder means that it doesn’t stick out or scare away birds.
Another reason that people love this feeder is that it’s very easy to use all-around—starting with the hanging, which only requires that you hang the feeder by using the strong cable that’s included along with your purchase. In addition to being easy to hang, it’s also very easy to fill, and past users report that it’s much easier to handle than other platform feeders they’ve had.
Finally, those who have purchased this feeder in the past are happy about the view that you’re able to get of the birds when you use this platform feeder. The open sides make it easy for you to observe birds, regardless of where they land on the feeder. Based on what others have had to say about this feeder and our own observations, we have no problem coming to the conclusion that this is by far the best platform bird feeder available.
Best Metal Bird Feeder – Perky-Pet 325S Panorama Bird Feeder – 9.0/10.0
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If you want your bird feeder to be a member of your outdoor decor family, but still want to keep it affordable, this is an extremely good option by Perky-Pet. This bird feeder gives you everything you would want in a feeder and tops it all off with a decorative brown rustic finish and some other great features we know you’ll love. This feeder comes in multi-packs for those who have a large property and want to hang feeders all around. The multi-pack isn’t just convenient, but it also helps you save money, since you can order multiples at once and get a discount on shipping.
For starters, this bird feeder uses Evenseed technology, which is quite impressive for a bird feeder that’s so affordable and approachable. The way it works is that it keeps all ports active and ensures that the flow of seed is even and consistent, preventing jams and the need for frequent manual maintenance. If you’re looking for something that looks great and is hands-off, then this is definitely a good option. The tray feeding style and circular perch allow birds to approach the feeder and eat the seed from all angles, giving you a 360-degree observation experience. Birds are sure to love this feeder and come to your property more often to feed.
Though this bird feeder doesn’t have any extremely effective anti-squirrel methods to boast about, when it comes to the dining of seed near the circular perches, it does have a sure-lock cap that can help keep squirrels out of the top and ensure that they can’t gain access to the actual tube part of the feeder, which holds all of the valuable seed. The capacity of the silo isn’t impressive, but it’s adequate. You may end up filling the feeder more often than you’d like, depending on how many birds frequent your property.
The metal construction of this bird feeder ensures that it’ll be able to hang in your yard for the years to come, as you enjoy the nature and the birds that gather around it to feed. The sturdy hanging wire won’t fail any time soon, and it’s recommended that you place this feeder near a back deck, a porch, a patio or anywhere else in your backyard.
What Others Are Saying
The overwhelming consensus on this bird feeder is that it’s perfectly adequate for what people need it for and it provides excellent value for the price. This sturdy metal bird feeder is one of the better options for those who want something decorative that’s also easy on the budget. The most common praise for this metal bird feeder is that it’s well-built with durable materials. Because of the metal construction, this item won’t quickly become worn down by weather and other elements, and it can’t be chewed through by squirrels. Many people also rave about how great it looks outdoors and the decorative metal finish.
There are some downsides to this product as well. The first potential problem is that the feeder sometimes lets in moisture, which could affect the quality of your food and lead to more money being spent on food, since you’ll have to replace it. The second thing is that the perch might be a bit small for some species of birds. You’ll want to keep that in mind when deciding on this feeder, especially if you want to attract larger birds. Make sure that it will be suitable for whichever type of bird you are trying to attract.
All in all, this feeder provides outstanding value to those who want a metal feeder that looks nice and is affordable. It’s an excellent choice for apartment owners, homeowners and even commercial clients who want to buy multiple feeders at once to save time and money. We definitely recommend this metal bird feeder for those who want something basic yet high in value.
Best Small Bird Feeder – Perky-Pet 305 Holly Berry Gilded Chalet Wild Bird Feeder – 9.5/10.0
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If you’re trying to attract small birds, you’ll want a bird feeder that isn’t intimidating and doesn’t attract very large birds to the feed source. That’s what this feeder by Perky-Pet provides. Sitting only 10 inches high, it’s designed to feed those small species that everyone loves to have in their yard. This bird feeder isn’t just functional, though. It provides you with a decorative outdoor piece that will complement your scenery in the backyard or on your patio.
The two-pound seed capacity isn’t the largest, and it may mean that you have to frequently fill the feeder to keep up with all the small birds that will want to feed from it. In addition to being small and ideal for small species of birds, this feeder is also at the ideal pricepoint for those who are on a budget. If you’re looking to downsize and keep things compact, this feeder is the perfect option for you.
This feeder is made of a durable gold resin that will stand up well to weather and moisture, but it’s not as good as metal and won’t stand up to chewing by squirrels, if you have that problem frequently. The top cap is locked with sure-lock technology to keep squirrels from feasting out of the top of the feeder, but once again, it’s possible that squirrels could chew through it if they’re determined enough.
This affordable feeder is ideal for the budget-conscious person who just needs something small or wants to attract small birds to their property.
What Others Are Saying
The consensus on this feeder is that it’s the best small bird feeder out there. It obviously has some drawbacks, but the comments from past users are mostly positive. Many praise it as a great option to attract small species of birds, and others love that it’s affordable and allows anyone to enjoy birds in their yard. Another common comment is that it is easy to fill.
The downside of this feeder is that it’s not made of metal. So, while it will be durable in the face of weather and rain, a drop could very easily break it, and it’s possible that squirrels might chew through it or break it to gain access to the seed. Other than that, this feeder provides good value for the price and provides you with an excellent option for attracting small and beautiful birds to your lawn or property.
Best Large Bird Feeder – More Birds X-1 Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder with Four Feeding Ports – 9.0/10.0
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If you want to allow multiple large birds to enjoy your yard and be able to feed from your feeder, this is the ideal solution. This feeder by More Birds truly lives up to its brand name, and allows more and larger birds to come feed in your lawn. The first feature that we love about this bird feeder is that it helps prevent unwanted visitors, mainly squirrels, from enjoying the seed that you put out for the birds. The automatic weight system shuts all feeding ports when a squirrel is present on the feeder, preventing them from feasting on your seed.
The next thing we like about this feeder is that it has multiple dedicated feeding ports to allow multiple large birds to feed on the seed at the same time. This doesn’t limit it to just large birds, but it does accommodate them with a high standing height that they won’t struggle to access. The wide mouth of the feeder is easy to fill, and the durable plastic resin means that it can stand up well to weather and moisture.
This feeder also comes in multi-packs for convenience and to help you save money. If you have a large property that you need to put many bird feeders on, this could be a viable option for you. This is definitely the best large bird feeder on the market, especially if you’re on a budget or simply don’t want to spend a lot of money on your feeder.
What Others Are Saying
While plastic isn’t the best material to make a feeder out of, because may squirrels have had their way with plastic feeders, many users actually say that this feeder fares well against the squirrels in their lawn that look to eat their birdseed. This is good news for those who have had this problem in the past, since you know personally how frustrating it can be. There is a lot of praise for this feeder on the basis that it provides an ideal feeding environment for large species of birds and comes at an affordable price.
Best Cool Bird Feeder – Bluedot Trading Stained Glass Mosaic Bird Feeder – 9.0/10.0
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If you want to attract birds to your property, chances are, that’s because you enjoy looking at them and they’re a pleasure to watch. If you care about fostering a backyard environment that has a lot of fun stuff to look at, this mosaic feeder is perfect for you. Its attractive design makes it a valuable piece of outdoor decor that’s also highly functional as a bird feeder.
This feeder has an 8-inch cord for easy hanging, a durable outer coating, and up to four feeding perches to serve multiple birds of almost any size.
What Others Are Saying
Most people who have purchased this feeder in the past think that it’s a wonderfully-crafted piece of outdoor decor. They love the fact that it shimmers in the sunlight and provides even more to look at while they watch the birds outside their window. This cool bird feeder looks great and works even better. One area of improvement that attention could be given to is the fact that it’s difficult to see how much seed is in the feeder because of the design. It would be nice to have some sort of indicator in place or a clear strip down the side to show people when they need to refill the feeder.
Best Window Bird Feeder – Nature’s Hangout Window Bird Feeder with Ledge – 9.0/10.0
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Sometimes, the best way to observe the gorgeous birds that frequent your backyard is to watch them up close and personal! That’s exactly what this window bird feeder allows you to do. The clear design lets you watch the birds feast on the seed that you put out for them and learn more about what each one looks like. In fact, aside from being fun to look at, having this window feeder could even be educational for your kids as they get an idea of what each species looks like and how they behave. This particular model of window feeder is made by a reputable company and with quality materials. We highly recommend it as the best window feeder on the market.
What Others Are Saying
Past users of this product fully acknowledge that it’s the best window feeder out there. This feeder isn’t designed to be decorative, and that’s not what its users care about. Many have said that it has given them an unprecedented ability to watch birds up close and learn about the birds that are frequenting their backyard. Almost everyone who has used this window feeder is satisfied with it. The lone problem is that if squirrels can get into the feeder, there are no measures or mechanisms in place to keep them from eating all the seed.
Best Bird Feeder for Apartment Balcony – Stokes Select Deck Hook – 8.5/10.0
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The best choice for an apartment balcony, if you want to enjoy watching birds around your bird feeder, is to buy this deck hook that attaches to the railing of your deck and allows you to hang anything you want, including bird feeders and potted plants.
Rather than get a bird feeder that’s adapted for a balcony, we recommend this hook because it offers more versatility and will allow you to use any bird feeder you want. The metal construction will prevent it from being damaged by weather and the sturdy hook can hold quite a bit of weight.
What Others Are Saying
Across the market, people are saying that this is undoubtedly the best solution for those who want to enjoy birds and bird feeders but only have an apartment balcony to work with. This hook allows you to hang the bird feeder of your choice from your balcony and enjoy the birds. The most common praise for this product is that it’s durable and easy to attach to your balcony.
Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder – Brome Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder – 10.0/10.0
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While we all love putting bird feeders in our yard to attract different kinds of birds and wildlife, one of the things we have to watch out for is squirrels. It’s not that we each have a quarrel with squirrels, but they have a tendency to chew through bird feeders or use them to get the seed that we put out with the intention of feeding birds. This means there is less seed for birds, which means we won’t get to see as many of them in the yard as we would if squirrels couldn’t get into the feeder and destroy it.
Fortunately, if this is the case for you, there are options out there that will allow you to prevent this from happening and save the seed that you’ve purchased for the birds. This bird feeder by Brom accomplishes just that, as it features a unique and innovative design that’s meant to prevent squirrels from getting into the feed. This feeder is suitable for almost any species of bird and even comes with a cardinal ring to attract the beautiful red birds.
The mechanism that prevents squirrels from gaining access to the seed is simple but effective. The weight of a full-grown squirrel on the bird feeder automatically closes the door that allows access to the seed. So, when a squirrel gets on the feeder, they will find that there is no seed for them to access. If they decide to try and chew through, they won’t have any success, because all of the parts of this feeder are made to be chew-proof. They’re made of a chew-proof resin material that’s also resilient to weather and other exterior conditions.
Installing the feeder is very easy and doesn’t even require the use of any tools (most of the time). It can typically be assembled with only the hands, and it can also be dismantled easily with the hands. You don’t have to go through the frustration of using tools to break the feeder down when you want to take it down for the winter and store it.
Another great thing about this feeder is that it features a seed ventilation system that’s designed to keep the seeds in your feeder fresher for longer. This patented system helps continuously attract wild birds, and will save you time by not requiring you to constantly change the seed in order to keep the food fresh. This is a matter of convenience and saved money, too, since you won’t go through seed as quickly, and you won’t have to waste seed because the feeder doesn’t properly keep the seed ventilated.
You can adjust the weight settings to allow certain amounts of weight to sit on the feeder, so you can filter out who won’t be allowed on the feeder. Usually, this feature is meant to prevent squirrels from using it. However, you could also use it to keep larger birds out and attract the smaller birds that you specifically want to be eating your seed.
What Others Are Saying
The main purpose of this feeder is to give you the ability to feed the birds you want in your yard while keeping out squirrels. According to all those who have purchased the product in the past, that’s what this feeder does accomplish. The main benefit of this feeder, according to those who have purchased similar models in the past, is the fact that you don’t ever have to replace a battery. Some squirrel-proof feeders are similarly effective, but require an electronic mechanism to deter squirrels. Since this bird feeder’s mechanism is all mechanical and requires no electricity, you won’t need to constantly replace or charge batteries to keep squirrels out of your feeder.
Aside from the anti-squirrel features that this feeder has, it’s also a highly-functional and high-quality feeder that will certainly help you attract birds to your yard. The easy-to-use feeder and innovative design create an environment where birds will feel welcome and where you won’t have trouble feeding and using the feeder.
If there were one thing we’d improve, it would be the price of the feeder. Being able to stop squirrels from stealing seed is a valuable capability to have, and can help save you money in the long-term, but this bird feeder’s price might not be suitable for everyone, especially those on a budget.
Best Bird Feeders Buying Guide
If you’re going to be shopping for a bird feeder, there is some critical information that you’re going to want to know beforehand. These are the considerations that we kept in mind when selecting our choices for the best bird feeders of 2019.
Material
You want to determine which material you need your bird feeder to be made out of. Metal is more durable, but also more expensive. Resin is durable in most situations, but it’s also less resistant to squirrel infiltration. Pick your material wisely, and make sure that it fits your needs.
Value
You should decide on a price range that you want to stay within before you start shopping for your bird feeder. This will help keep you disciplined. However, it’s not always about avoiding spending any money. What you really want is value. That means that you’ll be getting a level of use and value out of your purchase that’s proportional to what you plan on spending. Always be sure that you’re getting enough value to justify your purchase.
Type of Bird
Which bird feeder you get is going to also depend on the types of birds you want to attract to your yard. Different birds will want different seed or be attracted to different feeder types. Make sure you’re mindful of the type of bird you want to attract before you make your purchase.
image: Pixabay