Where’s the best place to put a bird feeder?

In general, it’s best to choose a quiet area readily visible to birds, and within at least 10 feet of suitable shelter, such as brush or trees, where birds can quickly retreat if they sense danger.

How often should you clean a bird feeder?

Clean bird feeders every couple of weeks, but more often if you notice sick birds. Because they have sugary foods, hummingbird feeders and oriole feeders can get moldy faster and should be cleaned more frequently—typically every time you refill them. You’ll also want to regularly remove old or damp seed and seed hulls from beneath your feeders to prevent them from getting moldy and attracting pests.

How can you deter squirrels from bird feeders?

There are several steps you can take to keep squirrels off bird feeders . Place bird feeders at least 10 feet away from surfaces that squirrels can jump off. Other tactics include putting cages around feeders, as this will prevent them from reaching the seed, or installing a dome or baffle above and below the feeder.

5 Must-Have Bird Feeders to Upgrade Your Yard

An assortment of bird feeders in an outdoor setting — The Spruce

To attract feathered friends to your yard takes a simple task: providing great food. With the right bird feeder, you can enjoy the birds' beautiful sights and sounds while helping them thrive.

For our fellow bird watchers and nature appreciators, we tested and researched the best bird feeders out there to keep your yard chirpy and create a paradise for our flying friends (including ones that are squirrel-resistant). We evaluated the feeders based on their design, material, weight, capacity, and whether the birds liked them.

Before swooping in and buying a bird feeder, make sure yours is adaptable for multiple birds (you don't want any larger ones getting stuck). Also consider where you place the feeder, which types of birds you want to feed, and which critters you want to keep out.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

SALE

Brome Squirrel Solution200 Bird Feeder at Amazon ~~$90~~ $62

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Best Value:

SALE

Twinkle Star Wild Bird Feeder at Amazon ~~$30~~ $19

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Best for Hummingbirds:

SALE

Sewanta Plastic Hummingbird Feeder at Amazon ~~$13~~ $10

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Best Platform:

Nature's Way Bird Products Cedar Platform Tray Bird Feeder at Amazon $27

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Best for Thistle:

More Birds Yellow Screen SeedFeed at Walmart $24

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Best Overall

Brome Squirrel Solution200 Bird Feeder

PHOTO: The Spruce

$90 $62 at Amazon $62 at Walmart View on Orientaltrading.com

What We Like

Simple to fill
Easy to take apart and clean
Designed for smaller birds

What We Don't Like

Not a good size for larger birds
Seeds can fall out of the bottom

After testing the Brome Wild Bird Feeder, we think it makes an attractive addition to our backyards and really kept its promise to keep squirrels out, earning the top spot on our list.

The tube-style feeder is rectangular and made of UV-resistant plastic for great durability. It’s encased in a green metal cage with decorative leaves on all sides. However, this bird feeder is not just for show! When a squirrel climbs onto it, the weight-activated shroud blocks access to the feeding ports.

While testing, we noted that the very active early spring squirrels were occasionally able to climb out onto the feeder, but their body weight would pull the metal frame down, blocking the holes to prevent them from getting to the seeds.

This bird feeder holds about 3 pounds of seed and can be hung on a tree branch (as we did during our testing) or stand, although hanging hardware is not included. It can be used with various mixed seeds, but the manufacturer recommends using safflower or black oil sunflower seeds to attract more birds.

The Brome SquirrelSolution Bird Feeder can be hung on a nearby tree or mounted in your yard. PHOTO: The Spruce
The easy refill top makes it simple to pour more seed inside without a mess. PHOTO: The Spruce
It includes a sturdy wire to easily hang it from a tree (and prevent it from falling down). PHOTO: The Spruce
You can actually store seeds inside the funnel when you aren't using it so you can refill easily. PHOTO: The Spruce

All of the pieces disassemble easily for thorough cleaning and maintenance. To top it all off, the parts are chew-proof to prevent squirrels from doing damage and forcing their way inside.

Due to its small perches and feeding ports, this feeder isn't a great option for larger birds. However, while testing, we noted that it did bring in plenty of smaller finches and chickadee-type birds. And while the feeder itself is squirrel-proof, seeds can sometimes spill out the holes and bottom, attracting squirrels to the ground below it.

_{Feeder Type: Tube | Material: Plastic, metal | Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 24 inches | Weight: 2.7 pounds | Capacity: 3.4 pounds | Number of Ports: 6}

Best Value

Twinkle Star Wild Bird Feeder

PHOTO: The Spruce / Eric Brockob

$30 $19 at Amazon $30 at Walmart

What We Like

Works with a variety of seed types
Easy to fill
Comes fully assembled
Clear panels to monitor seed level

What We Don't Like

Not squirrel-proof
Not a good size for larger birds

The Twinkle Star Wild Bird Feeder is an effective option for feeding backyard birds at a nice price. During testing, we were impressed that it withstood multiple heavy and wind storms without issue. The sloping roof helps shield birds from the rain, and the wrap-a-round perch at the base allows them to feed comfortably.

It can hold up to 2.15 pounds of birdseed and can be used for a variety of seed types, allowing you to attract different types of birds. Since the bird feeder is only 8 inches tall, it's best suited for small birds, but we found that larger birds like bluejays, woodpeckers, and cardinals stopped by as well.

The top of the Twinkle Star Wild Bird Feeder detaches easy so you can fill it quickly. PHOTO: The Spruce / Eric Brockob
We appreciate that this bird feeder is compatible with multiple seed types to attract different birds. PHOTO: The Spruce / Eric Brockob

The Twinkle Star Feeder is made from plastic, and its clear panels allow you to monitor seed levels. It also has a twist-lock roof, which is easy to refill and keeps birdseed fresh and dry. One major downside to this feeder is that it won't deter squirrels. However. this unit comes fully assembled and ready to hang, which is a nice plus.

_{Feeder Type: Hopper | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.9 x 8.6 inches | Weight: 0.6 pound | Capacity: 2.15 pounds | Number of Ports: 6}

Best for Hummingbirds

Sewanta Plastic Hummingbird Feeder

PHOTO: The Spruce / Eric Brockob

$13 $10 at Amazon View on Walmart

What We Like

Designed with a built-in ant guard
Wide opening
Seven feeding ports
Hanging hardware included

What We Don't Like

May attract bees

For those with dreams of creating the ultimate hummingbird garden, you'll first want to invest in a bird feeder designed explicitly with hummingbirds in mind, and the Sewanta feeder is our absolute favorite.

Although some may prefer a more aesthetically pleasing material, like glass, the Sewanta Hummingbird Feeder is made of durable plastic, which is great for high-wind storms. Along with its long-lasting, sturdy material, we love its wide-mouth reservoir. This made it super easy to fill and clean.

The Sewanta Plastic Hummingbird Feeder has a wide opening and easily opens for cleaning. PHOTO: The Spruce / Eric Brockob
This plastic feeder is lightweight and has five ports for feeding. PHOTO: The Spruce / Eric Brockob

Thanks to the feeders' built-in ant guard, your feathery friends won't have to worry about any ants contaminating their space, but the problem lies with the bees. We recommend purchasing a bee guard or a hummingbird feeder with red perches since yellow tends to attract bees.

Overall, this Spruce-approved hummingbird feeder is a durable pick that's lightweight, easy to fill and clean, and made with a clear, 10-ounce reservoir so you can monitor the nectar level. The hanging hardware is also included.

_{Feeder Type: Hummingbird | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 4 inches | Weight: 0.6 pounds | Number of Ports: 7}

Best Platform

Nature's Way Bird Products Cedar Platform Tray Bird Feeder

$27 at Amazon $34 at Walmart

What We Like

Weather-resistant materials
Works for most birds
Simple to fill and clean

What We Don't Like

Hanging hardware not included
Not squirrel-proof

The Nature’s Way Tray Bird Feeder offers a platform design that’s ideal for attracting all sizes of birds to your yard. The cedar platform is coated with a water-based protective stain, which provides resistance to rot and insects.

A vinyl-coated steel hanging wire and rust-free hardware help to ensure its durability. In fact, while testing, we found that the feeder stood up to rain and snow in our Colorado backyard without any issues.

No hanging hardware is included, which could be tricky if you don’t have an existing hook or tree branch to support it. To solve this issue, we bought and installed a planter-style hook so we could attach it to our house (which added to the setup time and cost).

We love the wide design of the Nature's Way Bird Feeder, which allow different size birds to perch. PHOTO: The Spruce / Justin Park
The kit doesn't come with hanging equipment or seed, so you'll have to supply that yourself. PHOTO: The Spruce / Eric Brockob
The holes in the bottom aren't overly large so the seeds will stay put when you pour them in. PHOTO: The Spruce / Justin Park
We also love how easily the tray lifts out for easy cleaning. PHOTO: The Spruce / Justin Park

Our favorite aspect of this feeder is the open design which makes it incredibly easy to fill—which is helpful because it should be filled when hung—and provides plenty of space for multiple birds to perch. Plus, the tray can be lifted out for easy cleaning and maintenance.

However, the open design allows other critters, namely squirrels, to access the seed as well, so this option is best hung somewhere squirrels cannot access or in an area without an excess of small critters. Overall, we think this is a great platform-style feeder, but just keep in mind a few drawbacks.

_{Feeder Type: Platform | Material: Cedarwood | Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 2.25 inches | Weight: 1.3 pounds | Capacity: 3 quarts | Number of Ports: Not applicable}

Best for Thistle

More Birds Yellow Screen SeedFeed

PHOTO: The Spruce / Eric Brockob

$24 at Walmart $11 at PETCO View on Shop.com

What We Like

Designed to prevent spilling
Easy to fill and clean
Weather-resistant materials
Attractive design

What We Don't Like

Not a good size for larger birds

The Stokes Select Bird Feeder is specifically designed for thistle, also known as nyjer seed, which is best for attracting finches. Since this thistle is so small, it tends to fall out of regular bird feeders. Instead of feeding ports, this tube feeder allows birds to grab thistle directly through the mesh sides, so you don't have to worry about the seed blowing around during wind storms, which we loved during testing.

The bottom tray provides a comfortable perch and reduces waste by preventing seeds from spilling. It’s made of high-density plastic to withstand inclement weather. This bird feeder holds just over 0.5 pounds of thistle, and drainage holes at the bottom help to keep the seed dry. The twist-lock top makes it easy to fill and clean.

The top lifts on the More Birds Yellow Screen SeedFeed so you can refill it. PHOTO: The Spruce / Eric Brockob
This feeder is perfect for finches, who stick their beaks between the mesh to feed. PHOTO: The Spruce / Eric Brockob

This is the smallest capacity on this list, so keep in mind you will have to refill this feeder quite a lot. Measuring nine inches tall, this unit is also quite small compared to other options, but we love the attractive yellow color that resembles an inverted flower head. It won’t likely bring in larger birds, but it’s a great choice for attracting finches.

_{Feeder Type: Thistle | Material: Plastic, metal | Dimensions: 4.7 x 4.7 x 9 inches | Weight: 6.4 ounces | Capacity: 0.6 pounds | Number of Ports: Not applicable}

Another incentive for bird lovers? The manufacturer donates a portion of all proceeds to bird habitat and conservation efforts.

Final Verdict

Tested in one of our own backyards, the Brome Squirrel Solution Wild Bird Feeder is our top pick because it offers a durable and attractive design and manages to outsmart most squirrels. The Twinkle Star Wild Bird Feeder is a smart way to feed smaller birds, but it won’t deter squirrels.

How We Tested the Bird Feeders

We tested over a dozen bird feeders in the Lab and in our personal backyards. We evaluated each feeder based on quality, size, design, and overall value.

Quality: We tested the durableness of each bird feeder by assessing how well they held up in certain weather conditions, like heavy rain and wind storms. The material also played a role in the quality of the bird feeder, and whether or not the pieces felt rickety or solid.

A person screwing the base onto the Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder — The motor for this bird feeder is housed inside the base.
The Spruce

Size: We evaluated the size of each feeder by noting the number of feathery friends each feeder can support and feed, as well as the size of the bird.

The Kingsyard Squirrel-Proof Suet Feeder hanging outdoors — The Spruce

Design: The bird feeder's features and design are what helped narrow our list. We noted whether the reservoir was easy to fill and clean and if the feeder was made with a built-in guard to block certain insects. We also noted if the bird seeds are enclosed or exposed to the open air.

A person filling the Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder with bird feed — This squirrel-proof bird feed can hold 5 pounds of bird seed.
The Spruce

What to Look for in a Bird Feeder

bird using a new feeder — We waited patiently to see which birds were fans of our feeders during testing.
The Spruce

Consider Type

There are five main types of bird feeders.

Platform feeders, like our best for balconies pick, the Wosibo Deck Bird Feeder and Water Tray, attract birds of all sizes and easily hang from a tree, balcony, or hook.
Ground feeders have screened bottoms to prevent seeds from spilling and attract the largest variety of birds but should not be used if you (or your neighbors) have cats.
Hopper feeders are sturdy, bird-friendly, and hold a lot of seeds. Hummingbird feeders should be filled with sugar water and placed in the shade near a window.
Tube feeders, like our best overall, the Brome Squirrel Solution Wild Bird Feeder, are the most common type and attract small birds.
Suet feeders, like our best for winter pick, the Birds Choice Single Cake Tail Prop Suet Feeder can be hung from poles in the winter and attract less common birds like woodpeckers and wrens.

Think About Material

Plastic bird feeders should have metal reinforcements and metal perches to keep squirrels away, like the Droll Yankees Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder. If you’re choosing a wooden bird feeder, make sure it’s made of weather-resistant cedar or is stained or painted, like our best platform pick, the Nature's Way Cedar Platform Tray Bird Feeder.

Select the Correct Food

The type of food you select will affect what kinds of birds frequent your feeder. Ground-feeding birds like medium-cracked corn, but this type of feed tends to rot. Millet is popular for small-beaked, ground-feeding birds but can fall through the cracks of some bird feeders.

Milo, wheat, and oats are inexpensive but tend to attract rodents. Insect-eating birds, like woodpeckers and wrens, like suet (a mix of beef fat and seed). Suet feeders, like our best for winter pick, the Birds Choice Suet Feeder, are great for use in cold climates.

If you want to attract a wide variety of birds, sunflower seeds are a great choice. Our best for songbirds pick, the Droll Yankees Classic Bird Feeder is designed specifically for sunflower seeds.

To attract even more varieties at once, opt for a bird feeder that has two compartments you can fill with two types of seed, like our best for windows pick, the Nature Anywhere Transparent Acrylic Window Bird Feeder.

Can bird feeders attract rats, mice, and other pests?

Mice, rats, and other seed-eating pests are often attracted to bird feeders, especially if your birds are messy and leave seeds scattered around on the ground below. To keep pests away from bird feeders, it’s best to remove any ground-feeding areas or open platform feeders, which mice can easily use.

FAQ

Where’s the best place to put a bird feeder?

In general, it’s best to choose a quiet area readily visible to birds, and within at least 10 feet of suitable shelter, such as brush or trees, where birds can quickly retreat if they sense danger.
How often should you clean a bird feeder?

Clean bird feeders every couple of weeks, but more often if you notice sick birds. Because they have sugary foods, hummingbird feeders and oriole feeders can get moldy faster and should be cleaned more frequently—typically every time you refill them. You’ll also want to regularly remove old or damp seed and seed hulls from beneath your feeders to prevent them from getting moldy and attracting pests.
How can you deter squirrels from bird feeders?

There are several steps you can take to keep squirrels off bird feeders. Place bird feeders at least 10 feet away from surfaces that squirrels can jump off. Other tactics include putting cages around feeders, as this will prevent them from reaching the seed, or installing a dome or baffle above and below the feeder.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Sage McHugh is a writer who specializes in the home and garden sector. She recommends products that are both stylish and functional. For this roundup, McHugh considered dozens of bird feeders, carefully evaluating each product’s design, material, weight, capacity, and overall performance.

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The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.