The perfect bird feeder is easy to construct, maintains its cleanliness, is durable enough to survive winter weather and squirrel activity, and is tight enough to keep seeds dry.
Several stores offer a range of types of wholesale bird feeders with various items to attract the widest variety of birds to your garden. Certain species are more likely than others to use a certain type of feeder.
Feeders on a tray or platform
Birds that consume seeds such as starlings, pigeons, and House Sparrows, as well as native sparrows and grosbeaks, are drawn to feeders with trays. Rain and snow do not provide protection for tray feeders; in addition to allowing seeds to become moist enough to sprout, wet seeds can also promote the spread of germs and fungi. Tray feeders may get easily contaminated with bird droppings. In order to facilitate full drainage, the ideal tray feeders feature a screened bottom as opposed to a solid one; at the very least, tray feeders should have many drainage holes. The bottom must to be detachable for somewhat frequent hosing even with drainage. Give birds in tray feeders just enough seed to finish them every day or two, and shake out the bottom each time you add more seeds.
If a tray feeder isn't designed with a squirrel and chipmunk-proof squirrel baffle on the pole or suspension chain, it's a free pass for them.
Tray feeders near the ground will draw ground-feeding birds (as well as squirrels, deer, raccoons, and other creatures) including juncos, doves, jays, blackbirds, and sparrows. Tray feeders can also be hung or fixed to poles, stumps, or deck railings. Certain variants are equipped with a roof to offer some weather protection.
Feeders, Hopper or "House"
Although the seeds in this type of feeder are reasonably protected from the elements and bird droppings, germs and fungi can grow if the seed within the hopper becomes moist. Most feeder birds, such as finches, jays, cardinals, buntings, grosbeaks, sparrows, chickadees, and titmice, are drawn to hopper feeders; squirrels are also drawn to them. Although hoppers can be very convenient for people, if the seed within is allowed to get wet, it can be deadly for birds. Many hoppers can carry enough seed to last for several days. Tray feeders are easier to clean than most hopper feeders. Hopper feeders can be hung or fixed to a pole. Again, if you'd prefer not to feed them, a squirrel baffle is essential.
Feeders in windows
