3 Feeders Every Backyard Birder Should Own

Walk into any store specializing in feeding wild birds and the selection of feeders can be overwhelming to say the least. With so many styles to choose from, how do you choose the right one for your yard? Fortunately, the staff at these specialty stores are happy to offer expert advice based on your specific yard and the birds you wish to attract. 

In my yard, I have as many as 10 feeders out at any given time which to many may seem like overkill, so for this post, I am going to share the top three I think every homeowner looking to attract an abundance of birds to their yard should own. 

 1. Tube Feeder

In a recent post titled How To Attract Northern Cardinals To Your Yard In 4 Easy Steps, I mentioned tube feeders as a great option for enticing these colour birds. In fact, tube feeders are a great option for offering seed to most birds that frequent our area. I prefer a squirrel proof tube feeder with Brome’s Squirrel Buster Plus and Squirrel Buster Classic being two great options.

My personal favourite tube feeder is the Yankee Flipper by Droll Yankees. This feeder features a battery powered motor, which causes the perch ring to spin once activated by a squirrel’s weight. Squirrels quickly lose their grip and are gently thrown from the feeder. The large perch ring accommodates birds of all sizes while the metal construction provides exceptional durability. The clear polycarbonate tube holds a considerable amount of seed, which means I don’t have to fill this feeder as often as smaller models.

I received my Yankee Flipper for Christmas in 2008, and the rechargeable battery is still going strong. Backed by a lifetime warranty (excluding the battery or electronic parts) this feeder, in my opinion, is worth every penny of its hefty price tag. Some of the birds observed in my backyard feeding at the Yankee Flipper include:

• Northern Cardinal
• Blue Jay
• American Goldfinch
• House Finch
• Purple Finch
• Carolina Wren
• White-breasted Nuthatch
• Red-breasted Nuthatch
• Downy Woodpecker
• Hairy Woodpecker
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Northern Flicker
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Mourning Dove
• Rose-breasted Grosebeak

I chose to hang my Yankee Flipper from a large sycamore branch overhanging my yard. The feeder can be accessed by squirrels jumping from the nearby fence top or descending the hook, but most of these critters have become privy to the unpleasant ride that follows and simply stare at the feeder in frustration. 

 2. Hopper Feeder

When it comes to versatility hopper feeders, especially those with a large platform at the base, are the best for enticing the widest variety of birds. It is these oversized feeding areas that will encourage larger species including Mourning Doves and other ground feeding birds to visit. Dark-eyed Juncos and several of the more desirable sparrow species will readily choose this style of feeder over all other varieties. What type of seed or mix you fill a hopper feeder with will determine what birds you attract. 

If you are looking to deter some of the larger bird species, smaller hopper feeders without an oversized base are available. Clinging birds like chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers will still be able to perch as will finches, while doves, jays, and grackles will have a harder time. 

Smaller hopper feeders can be hung while larger models are best pole mounted with a baffle to deter squirrels. Some hopper feeders even come with bonus suet cages mounted on either end, which are a nice addition as this high energy food will attract an even broader spectrum of birds. Hopper feeders have traditionally been constructed from cedar and other woods, but recycled plastic models are now available which are more weather resistant providing increased durability. Depending on the size of feeder and material you choose, the price will vary considerably, so select a model that suits your budget and landscape.  

3. Peanut Feeder 

A  metal peanut feeder is an inexpensive way to attract a multitude of clinging birds to just about any backyard. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, and Carolina Wrens are some of the species that frequent my peanut feeder on a regular basis making it hands down my favourite feeder.

I have always said that if I could only have one feeder in my yard, this style of peanut feeder would be it because of the birds it attracts. One nice characteristic of this feeder is the peanut halves used to fill it are slightly larger than the holes that dispense them, meaning birds have to work at the peanut in order to remove them from the feeder. This keeps each bird on the feeder longer, resulting in extended viewing times. 

I love woodpeckers with the Red-bellied being my absolute favourite bird, so for me, this feeder is a must have. I personally prefer the 16″ model (which retails for about $25) because its increased length gives larger woodpeckers like the Red-bellied, Hairy, and Northern Flicker a larger surface for balancing their tails. Like the tube feeder, I too hang this one from a tree branch.

You might be wondering how to keep squirrels off this feeder as the smell of peanuts will certainly draw them in. I have found that most squirrels have difficulty descending the long thin wire I have mine hanging from and have not had much of a problem with squirrels on this feeder. The small holes in the feeder make it incredibly challenging for squirrels to access the peanuts allowing them to only nibble the ends of the peanuts that stick out. For this reason, squirrels cannot empty this feeder like they do others. If you prefer to keep squirrels off altogether, there are several baffles on the market this feeder can be hung beneath. 

Though some of these feeders may seem pricey, as the old saying goes you get what you pay for. Many of the higher end feeders are backed by a lifetime warranty reigning supreme over their cheaper counterparts. A good quality feeder will provide years of enjoyment and makes a great addition to any yard. 

Adding these three feeders will attract just about every common bird found in our area to any yard and may even lure in a few rarities. If you are wishing to attract more birds to your property give one or all of these feeders a try, I’m sure you will be happy you did. 

Remember, when adding new feeders it can take a few weeks for birds to get accustomed to them, but with a little patience and these three models you will soon be enjoying a plethora of birds in your yard. 

Good birding,
Paul

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