Another reason is to prevent a mess below your feeders.  Seed trays prevent seeds, as well as shells that are discarded from birds, from piling up underneath your feeder.  No matter if your bird feeder hangs over your porch, patio, or grass, no one wants to see a messy pile of seeds and shells.  Plus, this pile can attract ground feeding animals to your yard.  With a seed tray, unwanted animals are much less likely to find your bird feeders.

Lastly, many birds like to feed off of flat surfaces, as opposed to standing on perches.  With a seed tray, you will be able to attract more species of birds to your backyard!  Northern Cardinals do not like to stand on perches, which are usually features of the common tube bird feeders, but they will be eager to stand on the seed trays that are attached to these tube feeders.  Large birds also are usually unable to balance on tiny perches, so they would also benefit from seed trays.

The Clever Clean Bird Feeder Tray 11 in., pictured to the right, is a large seed tray.  It can be attached to any Onyx feeder with a simple snap.  Then you will use a wing nut to ensure that the Clever Clean Bird Feeder Tray 11 in. will never fall off.  If you do not have an Onyx feeder, you can get the Universal Seed Tray by Droll Yankees.  This seed tray is a large 13 inches in diameter, which is sure to attract a variety of large birds.  The Universal Seed Tray by Droll Yankees can be attached to any pole mounted feeders.

One of my favorite seed trays doubles as a squirrel guard.  The Giant Seed Tray and Squirrel Guard can be mounted underneath any feeders that are on a pole.  Not only will the Giant Seed Tray and Squirrel Guard catch any seeds and shells that fall from the feeder, but it will prevent any squirrels from climbing up onto the feeder.

A bird seed tray provides birds a place to perch and also catches seed that would otherwise fall to the ground. 

The droll yankees tray pictured to the right is a cinch to attach using the threaded plug that comes with it and removal for cleaning is just as easy.

It can also be attached using the Pole Adapter so that you can pole mount your tubular bird feeder with the tray attached. The ADPT is included with the Garden Pole and Ultimate Yard System or can be purchased separately.

Attach the seed tray with a Suet Link and hang a suet cage or another feeder beneath.

The A-6 Seed Tray fits the Droll Yankees “A” Series Classics, the “TH” Series Classics, and the “CJ” Series New Generation, as well as some other brands.

Made of UV Stabilized Polycarbonate, it will provide years of perching for your birds.

Determine what types of birds that you would like to attract to your yard and purchase the type of bird seed that those birds like to eat. By offering only that type of bird seed, you should get more of the birds that you enjoy watching and less seed discarded on the ground.

If you enjoy watching finches, choose a thistle or Nyjer seed like Lyric Nyjer Seed. Sunflower seed is also great for attracting a variety of songbirds including chickadees, finches, titmice, and more. If you would like to attract ground feeders, use an inexpensive bird seed like millet, buckwheat, cracked corn, and more.

Choose a bird feeder that only holds a specifc type of bird seed. Hang up a variety of specific seed feeders in your yard if you would like to attract a variety of birds. There are several types of bird feeders that are made to hold only one type of bird seed. By feeding birds in this way, you will spend less money on bird seed and enjoy more of the birds that you like.