Garden Sip & Seed Bird Feeder

The Bottom Line

With a unique dual reservoir design, the Garden Sip & Seed Bird Feeder from Perky-Pet is an attractive and versatile feeder ideal for any deck, backyard or garden. While it can be cumbersome and tricky to fill properly, birders will appreciate its customization options and the beautiful styling that makes this feeder well-suited to a variety of small backyard birds, including chickadees, finches, wrens, nuthatches and sparrows.

• Dual reservoirs can hold either water or seed, providing customization to change the feeder configuration as birds' needs change.
• Can use a single reservoir if desired or separate the two individual feeders to use in different locations.
• Attractive design and neutral colors can complement all gardens and backyards.

• Reservoirs are sealed at the top and must be flipped after filling in order to hang, which can create some spillage, but this spillage can be minimized with practice.
• If used for water, there is no way to add a bird bath heater for winter use, though this can be an ideal opportunity to use both reservoirs for seed.
• May fall off the scroll hanging hook if vigorously disturbed by a squirrel or windy conditions, but materials are relatively sturdy to minimize the risk of damage.

• Name: Garden Sip & Seed Bird Feeder (Model #737)
• Manufacturer: Perky-Pet
• Feeder Type: Seeds or birdseed mixes, water
• Height: 21" (53.3 cm) – full setup with hanging hook; 15” (33.0 cm) – single feeder
• Width: 18" (45.7 cm) – full setup with hanging hook; 7” (17.8 cm) – single feeder
• Capacity: Approximately 1.5 pounds (.68 kg) of seed depending on seed type or 27 ounces of water (per reservoir)
• Construction: Plastic reservoirs and trays with metal hardware
• Price: $42 (via Perky-Pet; prices from other retailers may vary)

For a convenient way to offer both food and water in a small space, the Garden Sip & Seed Bird Feeder from Perky-Pet is an ideal option. As part of the Birdscapes design line, the feeder features sturdy plastic construction with metal caps, filials and hooks, with copper and bronze coloration to be both neutral and attractive in any backyard or garden. The embossed scrolls on the sides of the reservoirs match the scroll-shaped hanging hook and give the feeder an elegant, coordinated look.

Each reservoir is equipped with interchangeable parts to be converted between use for seed or water. When assembled for seed, the feeding ports are larger and the base has small drainage holes, while when assembled for water, the ports are smaller and the base is solid. Each base is labeled with discreet symbols of either a plant (for seed) or a drop (for water) so there can be no confusion as to which is which. All the trays are the same size and depth to give the feeder a balanced look no matter how it is used. Birders can choose to use one reservoir for seed and the other for water, or both can be used for seed or both for water. This customization is ideal to meet birds' changing needs throughout the year. It should be noted, however, that the water trays are not large enough to accommodate bathing birds, though this also reduces water lost to evaporation in the hottest weather.

The heavy plastic construction is moderately durable, though the plastic may discolor or warp over time. The reservoirs are clear so seed and water levels can be easily monitored, and all trays are surrounded by secure perches, giving birds plenty of room while feeding, drinking or waiting for a space to access the feeder. The hanging hook, however, may swing and sway excessively in wind, and it is best to place this feeder in a sheltered location if possible, though that same swaying may help deter squirrels. The hooks on each individual feeder are relatively open, and they can fall from the larger hook easily if vigorously disturbed. The large hook is wide enough to be hung from a small or medium-sized branch, shepherd's hook or other garden hook, which gives birders different options for flexible feeder placement.

When fully assembled with both reservoirs in place, the two sections of the feeder hang at slightly different heights. It is recommended that the water reservoir (if the feeder is being used for both water and seed) be placed in the higher position to minimize the risk of seed hulls contaminating the water basin.

Filling this feeder can be awkward and requires two hands, as the design prohibits the feeders from sitting flat to be filled. They cannot be refilled while hanging, and the bases must be unscrewed for the reservoirs to be refilled. This can result in minor spillage when flipping the reservoirs over to hang, and it is best if one feeder is filled and hung at a time.

Attractive and customizable, the Garden Sip & Seed Bird Feeder is a delightful addition to any backyard birder's feeding stations. While it may take some experimentation to find the best location for the feeder and the best combination of seed and water to fill the reservoirs, it will be well worth the effort to add this feeder to the yard.