If you want to attract birds to your yard or porch, a bird feeder is one of the best ways to do this. Don’t like feathered friends? Bird feeders also make a great gift for family members or friends who are nature lover.
Whether you’re buying a bird feeder for yourself or as a gift, you want it without risk attract feathered friends. To help you shop, I spoke with bird experts about what to look for in a bird feeder and what to fill it with. I also asked them for bird feeder recommendations, which I’ve compiled into a list below.
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The Best Bird Feeders of 2026“I used a feed hopper suspended from a shepherd’s hook in my yard,” said Giselle Pembertona passionate ornithologist and wildlife photographer. “It’s great for little birds.” This one has a 360 degree perch so birds can completely surround it. The feeder also has a hood to keep birdseed dry and the hoop is wide, making it easy to clean.
This platform feeder (meaning you simply spread birdseed on the base) has a plastic dome to protect the food from moisture if it rains. Wet food can develop mold, which is not good for birds. You can raise the dome to allow larger birds access to the food or lower it to attract only smaller birds. The dome also rotates and does not stay stable, so the squirrels cannot find a stable enough position to steal the food if they land on it. As for the types of birds you can attract, Emma Greig, project manager at FeederWatch Project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York, says she likes platform feeders because they attract a wide variety of birds, including finches, doves and sparrows.
“I recommend a good-sized, sturdy wooden hopper feeder that allows you to see the seed reservoir, leaves room for lots of visitors, and gives you a clear view no matter where you look,” says Tod Winston, the organization’s birding guide and urban biodiversity specialist. Audubon in New Yorkwhich notes that a deluxe version (like this one) will also have a built-in suet feeder to attract even more birds. You don’t know tallow? It’s basically fat covered in seeds. The suet feeder is on the sides of it and the whole thing is covered with a cedar roof.
Do you want to get an even closer look at the birds that visit your feeder? Consider one with a built-in camera. These products have become very popular in recent years, says Winston. This connects to your WiFi and sends images directly to an app on your phone. It takes photos and videos of birds and can help you identify the types of birds you see. It also has a perch for birds and a roof to prevent water from spoiling your bird seed.
This Nyjer feeder has 16 feeding holes, allowing you to attract multiple birds at once. The base and lid are made of metal, as are the eight different perches surrounding the feeder. The tube, which holds two pounds of seeds, is made from a durable plastic and features a sturdy steel hanger at the top so you can hang it on a hook.
Another option from Kingsyard, this feeder allows you to place suet inside for birds to peck at. The wire mesh cage allows birds to hold on and stabilize while eating. The cage can hold two suet cakes and has a metal roof to keep things dry. This feeder is available in three colors: blue, red And brown.
This option is both a bird feeder and a lamp. It glows at night thanks to a solar charger located on top. It’s made from durable metal and features cutout details that are both pretty and functional. They allow you to see how many seeds you have left in the tube. It also has a small overhang to protect birds and seeds from the rain.
This acrylic bird feeder draws over a window, giving you a close-up view of all the birds that come to visit. The hopper feeder is fully covered for protection in case of rain and is split in half, so you can add two different types of bird food. The tray also slides out for easy cleaning.
How I Chose the Best Bird FeedersBeyond type, there are a few other things that experts say you should consider when shopping for a bird feeder. Here are the other features they recommend looking for:
Waterproof: If your bird food gets wet, it can spoil and poison birds, says Pemberton. It is therefore important to ensure that your bird feeder is waterproof. Easy to clean: “Simple, easy-to-clean feeders are great,” says Greig. “Ideally, they don’t have any decorations or crevices where birds could get stuck or bacteria could hide when you try to clean them.”Ability: It will be a pain to constantly refill your feeder. “So, make sure your feeder has a sufficient reservoir of seeds,” says Winston.What are the different types of bird feeders?Before you even think about purchasing a bird feeder, you need to understand that there are many different types on the market. Which one you choose will determine the types of birds you can attract, the type of bird food you will need to fill it and much more. To help you decide which type is best for you, I asked Winston to break down the different options:
Hopper feeders: These feature a reservoir that slowly distributes seeds to various species of birds. Some hopper feeders have a built-in mechanism that prevents larger birds or squirrels from accessing the seeds.Platform feeders: These can be as simple as a flat board (with drainage holes) placed on top of a post. They are easy to fill and clean, and any type of bird can visit them and be seen from all sides. A covered platform feeder is a good option for keeping your seed mix dry.Nyjer feeders: Mainly used to attract goldfinches, siskins and other colorful finches; they are also called “thistle eaters”. They usually come in the form of a long plastic tube with perches. Suet feeders: This type of feeder attracts woodpeckers, nuthatches, wrens, chickadees and chickadees. It can be filled with pure beef tallow, peanut butter Or seeds.Frequently asked questionsIn general, bird feeders are safe for birds as long as they are cleaned regularly to prevent bacteria from building up. “Clean your feeders every two weeks with a solution of nine parts water to one part bleach,” says Winston. And make sure your seed mix stays dry to prevent the growth of mold, which can also harm birds.
Consistency is also important, especially during the colder months. “If you feed birds in winter, continue to do so regularly until warmer weather returns, as your birds may become accustomed to your feeders and have difficulty finding food in very cold or snowy weather,” adds Winston.
Finally, try to avoid placing your bird feeders near glass windows. “Birds often mistake the reflections of greenery in the glass for reality and collide at full speed,” says Winston. If you want to place your feeder near a window, opt for a window with a screen, which will hide reflections.
You should put bird seed in your feeder, although the type of seed you need depends on the type of birds you want to attract. “Seeds can be specific to birds,” says Pemberton. “Sunflower seeds, especially black oil typeare eaten by most birds because they are easy to open. Safflower seedsCracked corn, peanuts, and millet are also good for many types of birds. Winston notes that anything with peanuts will be particularly appreciated by woodpeckers and jays. “Just avoid mixes that have milo as the main ingredient,” says Winston. “This seed, used as an inexpensive filler, is ignored by many birds.”
“Keep your feeder away from overhanging branches and place it at least seven feet from other jumping points to prevent squirrels from being able to access it,” says Winston. Another option is to place a baffle above your feeder. This device (usually a large plastic dome that rotates) can prevent squirrels from finding a stable position on your feeder. Finally, to help protect your birds from potential predators (like cats), Winston suggests placing your feeder at least five feet off the ground.
Meet our wildlife expertsAt NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Tom Winston is an ornithological guide and specialist in urban biodiversity with the Audubon in New York.Giselle Pemberton is a passionate ornithologist and wildlife photographer.Emma Greig is a project manager at FeederWatch Project at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New YorkWhy trust NBC Select?I am a business writer at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. I recently reported on vibrating plates And red light therapy for hair loss. For this story, I interviewed three bird experts about what to look for in a bird feeder.
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