Bird Feeder Type Overview (Kinds of Bird Feeders)

There are many varieties of bird feeders, including hoppers or house bird feeders, tube feeders, platform or tray feeders, hummingbird (a nectar type birdfeeder), fruit feeders, and others. 

In general, seed feeders fall into one of three categorizations: hopper or house feeders, tube bird feeders, or platform feeders. 

Hopper Bird Feeders (also called House Feeders) - Hopper bird feeders have a platform  which walls and a roof are built, forming a "hopper". The hopper protects the bird seed against the wind, water and other elements. Hopper birdfeeders can be used to attract both small birds such as finches or large birds such as blue jays. With hopper bird feeders, be careful about regular cleaning. Not many hopper feeders do a good job of protecting seed from the rain, and the seed can become moldy. Most hopper type feeders hold a substantial amount of bird seed. 


Tube Bird Feeders - Tube birdfeeders are constructed with a hollow cylinder, and have multiple feeding ports and bird perches. Tube birdfeeders generally keep the seed fairly dry. Tube bird feeders with shorter perches can be used for smaller birds. A tube feeder with small perches can accommodate chickadees, but can exclude large birds such as jays. 


Platform Feeders (also called Tray Feeders) - Platform bird feeders consist of a tray that is open upon which the feed is placed. These birdfeeders offer little protection against squirrels or the weather. Some tube bird feeders give you the ability to attach a tray birdfeeder to it. 

Hummingbird Feeders - Hummingbird feeders are nectar feeders and they come in many different shapes and sizes. Hummingbird feeders are enclosed, many times made of glass or plastic, and often have 4 to 6 feeding ports. These ports are often surrounded with colorful plastic flowers and bee guards. The nectar solution that is used in hummingbird feeders can be homemade, using a ratio of 4 parts water to 1 part white sugar. Boil the water, stir in the sugar while hot, and don't forget to allow it to cool before filling the hummingbird feeder. The humming birdfeeder should be washed at least once per week and any remaining nectar thrown out. 


Fruit Feeders - Fruit bird feeders come in a variety of sizes and shapes. A commonly used fruit is the orange, which can be used to attract orioles and tanagers. 


Other Feeders - Other feeders include squirrel proof feeders, suet feeders, novelty bird feeders, cedar feeders etc. Squirrel proof feeders are often variations of one of the feeder types listed above and can include a wire mesh, squirrel baffle, protective cage or a special squirrel guard. Suet birdfeeders often have a wire mesh cage that is used to hold a suet or a suet mixture. These feeders can be very useful for woodpeckers and cardinals.